I refer to the Malaysiakini report Arab tourists the biggest spenders .

This is one of the few positive news in the media lately. I applaud Deputy Tourism Minister Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib's acknowledgment that the Arab tourists in Malaysia spend the most compared to visitors from other countries.

The question that comes to mind is do we really deserve these tourists who come all the way from the Middle East to visit us?

From my observation, the treatment that we Malaysians accord these guests is downright appalling. Every year there were reports of Arabs who were fleeced by street vendors and taxi drivers who charged exorbitant rates. There were complaints of Malaysians being rude and arrogant starting from immigration officers at various entry points, right down to the general public.

In fact here in Batu Ferringhi, Penang,it's not uncommon to hear of fights that erupted between burly Arab men and the locals over simple disagreements, which in most occasions, were due to our own mischief.

I believe this is all due to our misconceptions about Middle Easterners. For decades, we have been fed with biased Western views about these people through news reports and fictional movies. Their portrayals of the Arabs were usually negative in nature and that was how Malaysians, and the rest of the world, came to perceive of them. The various conflicts in the Middle East and Hollywood's exaggeration of these events also affected our paranoia towards them.

Through the daily course of my work, I come across many tourists including Arabs. For two months each year, they arrive in hordes on our shores accompanied by family members. Many of them are newly married couples who chose Malaysia and Penang as their honeymoon destination.

Behind each Arab man's thick moustache is a husband, father or son, just like any husband, father or son in our own country. Under each Arab lady's black hijab is a wife, mother or daughter, similar to any wife, mother or daughter in our land. And just like when we go on a holiday, they, too, have brought their family on a trip to a far away land.

To be a good host, we must first identify what experiences our guests look for when they travel. From my conversations with them, it is generally agreed that most of them want to get away from the boring routine of work and home. They want to experience the relative freedom that is found in other countries. And yes – contrary to our own perception, Malaysia is highly regarded by them as a relatively 'free' and 'beautiful' country.

But please don't start clapping our hands yet. This 'freedom' and 'beauty' is fading fast judging from the horrific ways we treat our guests. The Tourism Ministry does not seem to understand that tourists come to see our local heritage and experience local culture through interaction with our people. If we do not upkeep our national treasures and educate our people about international courtesy and manners, very soon these guests will be going elsewhere for their holidays.

Take Penang for example. The previous state government emphasised on efforts to build huge shopping malls and luxurious condominiums that destroy our pristine environment, and left our beautiful heritage houses to rot. With the increased pollution, loss of greenery and decaying buildings, what do we have left to offer our guests?

The Tourism Ministry should also formulate programmes to educate the general public on the importance of tourism to our country. There should be ongoing efforts to train tour operators, guides, drivers and all those involved in the industry to be more courteous and kind.

Every Malaysian should be made to realise that they have an important role to play in the tourism industry. And that role is to be kind and courteous to our guests when we encounter them. Only then will these tourists feel welcomed and safe.

And yes – we do need to be taught about all these things. Malaysians tend to assume that we are kind and courteous right from birth. I am sure readers will disagree with me, judging from our own bad experiences.

Let's get our act together before inviting these precious guests to our home. This year, the Arab tourist season is in July and August. We should start cleaning our house now for we will be feasting the Arab tourists soon. But please remember not to fleece them!