Agence France Presse

Kuala Lumpur, March 17:

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. 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.