Genting International is setting up an office in the United Arab Emirates to help attract Middle Eastern tourists to its hotels and theme park in Malaysia, a news report said today.

The office will be fully operational in June, marking Genting's latest bid to spread its wings after opening offices in China and India over the past two years, said Faizal Iskandar, Genting's chief representative in the UAE.

"It will be in time for the summer vacation in the Middle East when the Arabs take long breaks starting July," Faizal told Bernama in an interview in Dubai.

Promote Genting Highlands

Faizal, quoted by Bernama , said the initiative is expected to help promote Malaysia's Genting Highlands, a hilltop getaway that is hugely popular with Malaysian visitors as well as tourists from China and Singapore.

The area features hotels, a Las Vegas-style casino and a family amusement park. However, Muslims are not allowed into the casino, as Islam forbids gambling.

Malaysia, a mostly Muslim country that has large Buddhist, Christian and Hindu minorities, has become one of Southeast Asia's top draws for Middle Eastern tourists in recent years.

Genting has also developed resorts or casinos in Australia, Britain, the Philippines and Singapore.