EVERSPRING TRAVEL

GUANGZHOU, June 10 (Bernama) — The Tourism Ministry is considering
making Guangzhou district a centre for exporting Malaysia durian to
China.

"Guangzhou is a huge fruit market which has great potential for fruit
export and Malaysia is yet to explore this market," she said at a
dinner hosted by Guangdong Province Tourism Administration chairman Yang
Rongsen here on Thursday .

She said the short distance between Guangzhou and Malaysia was ideal
for Malaysian durian to be exported to China to ensure that the fruit
maintained its freshness.

"The ministry will work with the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry to
discuss exporting durian to Guangzhou," she said.

Dr Ng, who is on an four-day working trip to China, is visiting Guang
Zhou and Zhengzhou. She will hold dialogues with the local tourism
operators and attend the International Mayor's Forum on Tourism (IMFT)
in Henan on Friday.

Dr Ng said that with the increasing tourist arrivals from Guangzhou to
Malaysia, Malaysia Airline had doubled its daily flight from Guang Zhou
to Kuala Lumpur from one flight per day.

The Southern Airline in China had also opened up a new route from
Guangzhou to Penang with a daily flight, she added.

Dr Ng said she was informed by the Guangzhou tourism operators that the
new route had received great response the locals.

Meanwhile, Yang, in his speech, said Malaysia had emerged as a popular
destination for tourists from Guangzhou and the district was looking at
working with Malaysia in promoting the tourism industry for both sides.

"Exploring the fruit market here by importing delicious fruits such as
durian is a great idea in promoting the tourism industry as durian is
the favourite fruit of many locals here," he said.