Tourism and Culture Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said foreign tourists enjoyed Malaysia’s hot weather even though the current heatwave has recorded temperatures higher than normal.

In fact, tourists have also not been affected by the climb of the ringgit because Malaysia’s tourism products were worthwhile.

“Tourists like our hot weather. They can wear slippers and singlets and walk around. We have no problems as long as they don’t go naked.

“The same goes for the value of the ringgit. I don’t think (the climb) has affected them so much as they are still coming to Malaysia,” he said, after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hilton I-City Hotel here today.

This month, the ringgit began to strengthen in the currency market after taking a hit towards the end of last year.

The ringgit is now valued at RM3.90 to USD1.

The country is also reeling from the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, an unusual heatwave with temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius in certain places.

Last year, Malaysia received 29 million tourists from various countries and the target has been set for 30 million this year.