'Arrivals in KLIA on the rise'

'Arrivals in KLIA on the rise'

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. is cautiously optimistic that that passenger arrivals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in 2003 will surpass last year's 33.7 million after government efforts to boost the industry, a report said on Thursday.

"Considering the government has put a lot of effort into tourism, we expect to see some positive results," MAHB chairman Aris Othman was quoted as saying by the Star.

In early June, MAHB had said it did not expect arrivals this year to surpass last year's figure.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) dealt a heavy blow to the tourism industry earlier this year as many worldwide put travel plans on hold for fear of the disease.

Aris said arrivals at KLIA had recently returned to the pre- SARS level of 1.4 million a month. --AFP