The government today said that it will spend RM200 million on a campaign to attract more visitors next year as competition for the tourism money intensifies in the region.

The Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign, launched as the nation celebrates its 50th year of independence, is aimed at boosting tourism arrivals to 20.1 million, up from the 17.5 million expected in 2006.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said Malaysia faced increasing competition from neighbours Thailand and Singapore, as well as new markets such as Vietnam.

"That is our worry, actually, Vietnam and the emerging new countries, because they realise that tourism is a new economic growth (area) and they also have things to show," Tengku Adnan told reporters.

Some RM44.5 billion is expected in tourism receipts next year, he said.

The minister said Malaysia was positioning itself as a family-friendly destination and underlined security concerns in neighbouring countries.

"We look after our tourists' safety to make sure that there won't be any incidents of bombs and all the sorts of things which are happening," he said.

'Eye on Malaysia'

The 2007 campaign will be launched with lavish celebrations on Jan 6 and includes plans to develop a waterfront area at a lakeside park in Kuala Lumpur.

Inspired by the ferris wheel in London, the Tourism Ministry will shell out RM20 to RM30 million to rent a 60-metre high giant wheel - named the "Eye on Malaysia" - to attract tourists and investment to the park.

A choking haze blamed on fires in Indonesia and Malaysia has become an annual occurence but Adnan said it would not deter tourists.

"During the last haze we checked with our hotel association people. There is not much effect on tourism arrivals and occupancy," he said.

Crime rates have also been on the rise and Adnan called on Malaysians to help tourists who are victims of crime, rather than simply stand by.

"They have got to have that attitude that tourists are an important industry in our country."