GLOBAL TOURISM

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organizationdefines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited."^[1]
accommodations   transportation services amusement parks casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theatres.

Rank	Country	UNWTO Regional Market	International tourist arrivals (2009)[13]	International tourist arrivals (2008)[12]	International tourist arrivals (2007)[12]	International tourist arrivals (2006)[12]
1	France	Europe	74.2 million	79.2 million	80.9 million	77.9 million
2	United States	North America	54.9 million	57.9 million	56.0 million	51.0 million
3	Spain	Europe	52.2 million	57.2 million	58.7 million	58.0 million
4	China	Asia	50.9 million	53.0 million	54.7 million	49.9 million
5	Italy	Europe	43.2 million	42.7 million	43.7 million	41.1 million
6	United Kingdom	Europe	28.0 million	30.1 million	30.9 million	30.7 million
7	Turkey	Europe	25.5 million	25.0 million	22.2 million	18.9 million
8	Germany	Europe	24.2 million	24.9 million	24.4 million	23.6 million
9	Malaysia	Asia	23.6 million	22.1 million	21.0 million	17.5 million
10	Mexico	North America	21.5 million	22.6 million	21.4 million	21.4 million

Many leisure-oriented tourists travel to the tropics, both in the summer and winter. Places of such nature often visited are: Bali in Indonesia,Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mexico the various Polynesian tropical islands, Queensland in Australia, Thailand, Saint-Tropez and Cannes in France, Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico in the United States, Barbados, Sint Maarten, Saint Kitts and Nevis, The Bahamas, Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda.


TOURISM IN MALAYSIA
LANGKAWI ISLAND

While the eponymous Pulau Langkawi is the largest and most densely populated, Langkawi consists of no less than 99 islands (or 104 at low tide), each with exquisite beaches which must be seen to be believed.

Beaches like Tanjung Rhu have gained reputations as some of the most picturesque in the world. Kept free from waves and wind by a bay, Tanjung Rhu is an oasis of calm. Boating trips to some of Langkawi's smaller islands can be made from Tanjung Rhu, or you can even walk across the snow white sand to some of them at low tide!

One of the many beautiful beaches that Langkawi is famous for

For a more lively escape, Pantai Cenang is the beach for you. With a wide range of resort hotels and shopping destinations, Pantai Cenang is the liveliest spot in all of Langkawi. Play on the beaches by day (all manner of water and beach sports are always on the go), and experience the best in Malaysian nightlife by evening.

If it's peace and quiet you're after, then Langkawi has the ideal secluded paradise in Pantai Kok. Nestled beneath a forested mountain range and miles away from the cares and hubbub of the city, the soothing sands of Pantai Kok are ideal for a romantic getaway or just a break from the hassles of life.

Or, for the best of both worlds, visit Pantai Tengah. With a pleasant mix of the activity of Pantai Cenang and the serenity of Pantai Kok, Pantai Tengah has become quite popular with families looking for a vacation spot with something for everyone. Take in live music at one of the beach front bars, or sample local cuisine at the many restaurants, such as the Lighthouse, which offers weekly Malay cooking classes designed for tourists.

No trip to Langkawi would be complete without a brief trip away from the beaches, and up the mountain of Gunung Mat Chincang to take in the majestic Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfalls. Take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain, catching a majestic birds-eye view of the beaches of Pulau Langkawi along the way. Then, watch as seven freshwater pools flow into a single, breathtaking torrent of water down a rock face. Other waterfalls, like Temerun,Durian Perangin and Lubuk Sembiland can also be found in the lush jungles of Palau Langkawi's mountains.

MOUNT KINABALU

Let's say it outright: it's gonna be a painful but very satisfying experience. At 4095m (13,435ft), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia. This majestic giant overlooks Kinabalu National Park, which is located about 90km north of the city of Kota Kinabalu. The park itself is rated as a UNESCO world heritage site because of its extreme biodiversity. Some of the species found here cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, and if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of the famous rafflesia: the world's largest flower.

The mountain is very popular with tourists as the climb itself is very scenic, and no special mountaineering skills are necessary to make it to the summit. You start in lush green forests and as you go the vegetation gets more and more sparse till you walk on granite for the last few kilometers.

There is a annual speed climbing competition on Mount Kinabalu. The record is held by Agusti Roc Amador of Spain, who did the whole climb in incredible 2 hours and 44 minutes. The fastest lady, Favre Corinne of France, did the trail in 3:17hrs. The local guides, who are not happy about the fact that two foreigners are holding the records, claim that a special chicken diet is responsible.

It will take 2 days to finish the whole hike. There are 2 different starting points. The first one is at the park headquarters from where you'll need to hike along a road to the Timpohon shelter. This saves you a few ringgit for the shuttle bus but is not the recommended route. Almost all the climbers will take the bus and actually start their hike at the Timpohon shelter.

On the first day you need to leave at around 11am and hike about one quarter of the whole distance. Depending on your speed, you'll reach the Laban Rata rest house, 3272m along the route, in 3-6 hours. Laban Rata, or the smaller shelters around it, will be your accommodation for the night. In case a 1406m vertical ascent wasn't tiring enough for you, a volleyball field is provided.

For those who want to see the sunrise on the summit, the second day will start at about 2-3am. Conveniently you can leave your luggage at the shelter which makes climbing much easier. Most of the remaining path to the summit is on stone ground along ropes which are mainly for guidance and are necessary only in a few places for actual climbing support. Once you stand on the summit you will know why you did this to yourself. A gorgeous view and hundreds of sunrise pictures will be your reward. The breakfast buffet at Laban Rata will strengthen you for the remaining descent.

It is highly recommended to book accommodation on the mountain months in advance as it tends to be fully booked over long periods of time. In case you cannot get accommodation the only chance to do the hike is a day trip, as camping on the mountain is not permitted.

Every day there are only 4 day trip spots available. You need to check in at the park headquarters where the rangers try to ensure that you are in the physical condition to do the hike in one day. It is only recommended to do the day trip if you have no health issues, a general fit condition and some mountaineering experience. The day trip starts at 7am at the headquarters, walking to Timpohon shelter is not an option as it takes too much time. It is only allowed to do this with a guide and you need to make it to the summit before 1pm. The big advantage of the day trip is that you'll save accommodation costs and you'll get to hike in a smaller group.

You need some special gear for the mountain which you usually don't need while traveling in Malaysia. Firstly, some solid hiking boots and rain gear. A flashlight and a warm jacket are recommended for those who want to do the sunrise ascent. Don't forget to bring sunscreen too, as the sun is stronger at higher altitudes.

This incredible experience comes with a cost, and the 2 day trip is not cheap. There are the park fees which are RM100 for non-Malaysians and RM30 for Malaysians. The shuttle bus to Timpohon shelter is about RM30. Fees for the guides start at RM85 and increase with the size of the group. There is a RM7 insurance fee and last but not least the dormitory bed at Laban Rata starts at RM300 a night.

Langkawi is one of Malaysia's most popular destinations. Make sure to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid finding everything booked.

KUALALAMPUR THE HEART OF MALAYSIA

The Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is by far the largest city in the country and home to an estimated 1.6 million people of both local and foreign origin. The bustling, vibrant city plays host to most of Malaysia's tourists, serving as the main entry point for visitors bound for other exotic destinations within the country.

Kuala Lumpur has always been Malaysia's foremost city, even during the British era

Kuala Lumpur is a modern day metropolis, with a skyline rivaling those of most cities worldwide. The presence of multinational corporations and a variety of businesses underline Kuala Lumpur's importance as a commercial and financial centre in the South East Asian region, even with Singapore's close proximity. An extensive network of roads and an integrated public transport system ensure that travel within the city remains relatively hassle free and easy.

The traditional and modern aspects of the city seem to blend seamlessly together

The various architectural designs throughout Kuala Lumpur reveal how the city has grown with time; the traditional Malay village of Kampung Baru, the rows of adobe shophouses that make up the city's Chinatown, the impressive buildings of the British colonial era, and the modern skyscrapers that dominate the city's skyline. Many old buildings are regarded as the city's heritage and are found at Kuala Lumpur's Old City Centre while the contrasting ultra modernKuala Lumpur City Centre Precinct showcases the city's ambitions of the future. Although certain distinctive buildings – the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the old Railway Station – came to symbolize the city during their time, present day visitors would have no trouble associating the iconic spires of the Petronas Twin Towers with modern Kuala Lumpur.

The Petronas Twin Towers rise into the sky

Being the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur is often regarded as the country's cultural centre. Museums and art galleries like the National Museum and Galeri Petronas are among the many in the city that showcase not only treasured heritage and traditions but also serve to highlight the latest contemporary trends. The local art scene is vibrant and caters to a varied pallete, with traditional cultural performances and western plays and musicals held regularly at different venues in the city. The city is also home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, a collection of 105 musicians from over 25 countries, that perform at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall in the Petronas Twin Towers.

Efforts to promote the city as a tourist destination in itself and not merely as a transit to other domestic destinations has vastly improved over the years. These efforts have focused on new types of tourism, including MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), international events, educational tourism and medical tourism. These new types of tourism play on the city's strengths – its modern infrastructure and its status as a centre of commerce, instead of conventional tourist attractions. It comes as no surprise that the city now plays host to many international events, including the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix and theMalaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and is positioning itself as a leading shopping destination in the region.

The city exudes a cosmopolitan feel and is accustomed to tourists from every corner of the globe. KL-ites, as the city locals style themselves, are a rather helpful bunch, and are known to happily entertain queries from travellers. Being a former British colony and a Muslim country, Malaysia and by extension, Kuala Lumpur, offers the best of both east and west, and visitors will have very little trouble experiencing this magnificient city, even those unaccustomed to the East.