Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail wants travel industry players in Malaysia to capitalise on the rising global trend of women travellers.

She said Malaysia should be an attractive destination as the country is safe, stable and has many attractions for women travellers.

"We simply need to understand better what women need when they travel to our country. Perhaps women-friendly hotels, women-guided tours and cultural tours that would appeal to women should be introduced," she said at the launching of ZafigoX 2018 in Kuala Lumpur today. The event is dedicated to women empowerment and travel.

Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said Malaysia could also bring in female tourist’ dollars by organising events and conferences that specifically attract women.

She said many more could be held especially in the arts and culture field.

"With Malaysia’s multicultural and multi-religious society, we are a melting pot of rich diversity which makes us an ideal choice for cultural tourism," she said.

Wan Azizah noted that women are travelling in greater numbers these days, for leisure and for work.

According to a Forbes Magazine survey, she said, women make up 80 percent of all travel decisions, whether for themselves or for their families.

She added that the advent of cheaper airline fares has meant that more women could afford to travel, either by themselves or with their friends.

"I understand they are climbing mountains, hiking in jungles, taking photographs in Antarctica and exploring places that not many have been before.

"In addition, they are also helping communities around the world, by building schools, doing humanitarian relief work, digging wells and other exemplary work. This is a new trend and one which the travel industry should take note of and capitalise on," she said.

- Bernama