SINGAPORE: Singaporeans make up more than half of the total number of tourists to Malaysia but cross-border holiday travel may see a slowdown with financial uncertainties looming in 2009.

Malaysia's tourism minister told MediaCorp reporters that in her meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday, she wants to raise a suggestion that both countries work together to boost regional tourism.

Besides proposing a passport-less system between the two countries, Malaysia's Tourism Minister Azalina Othman said she wants to cross-promote her country's offerings with others.

She said: "The mountains, the rivers, the seas, the islands, what we have in Malaysia should be complementary to the neighbouring countries, for example Singapore. So when I say, "one destination, two countries" I believe we should be working together on some kind of strategies."

She added that the two countries are working on a new entry point via rail across the border.

When asked about crimes against tourists in Malaysia, Ms Azalina - who is also the Member of Parliament for Johor - said her government is looking into the issue but added that the crime rate against Singaporeans in Malaysia is low.

The tourism minister said that Malaysia has new strategies for 2009, including promoting its eco-tourist attractions to Singaporeans, who make up more than half the visitor arrivals in Malaysia.

She said: "We're also looking at the possibility of selling other parts of Malaysia. In the middle of last year, we've shifted our approach to emphasise a lot on eco-tourism for example, and also to focus on the niche market we have - which is for example, the medical tourism, the eco-tourism and education tourism."

Malaysia hopes to attract 20 million visitors in 2009, which is a conservative number compared to the 22.5 million in 2008.

Even though the country saw the number of visitors go up by 4.8 per cent in November, Ms Azalina said the final numbers for 2008 may fall 500,000 short of target due to the economic crunch.

The former youth and sports minister added that her ministry is also working on the Iskandar Development Region in Johor to get more Singaporeans to take up second homes there.

Ms Azalina also visited MediaCorp, the parent company of Channel NewsAsia. - CNA/vm