Health and security issues related to the travel industry are expected to dominate a meeting of Commonwealth tourism ministers in Malaysia starting on Friday, a senior official said.

With the theme of "Promoting intra-Commonwealth Tourism", tourism ministers from Commonwealth countries will hold their first meeting in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to identify ways to promote travel in the 54-nation body.

These include a proposed Commonwealth Centre for Tourism Promotion (CCTP), aimed at increasing tourist arrivals from both within and outside the Commonwealth, and enhancing investment in member countries.

"I believe all Commonwealth countries can benefit from and contribute to globalisation through the promotion and development of tourism," Don McKinnon, Commonwealth secretary-general, said in a statement.

Restore confidence

The ministers are also expected to discuss ways to restore confidence among travellers, and measures to develop sustainable tourism and infrastructure will be on the agenda.

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in the region had a massive impact on travel, tourism and business.

Hong Kong was the world's second worst Sars-hit region after mainland China, with 297 dead from 1,755 infections.

The three-day event involves the ministerial meeting; the Tourism Business Forum, organised by the Commonwealth Business Council; and the Travel Mart organised by Tourism Malaysia. - AFP