Kuala Lumpur: Subscribing to the adage that a picture paints a 1,000 words, Tourism Malaysia Tuesday launched a series of international television commercials, including four vignettes produced exclusively for CNN International, to promote Malaysia as the most fascinating tourism destination.

Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said the commercials, especially the four vignettes to be aired through CNN International, were aimed at gibing the right picture and true story of Malaysia.

"This a partnership between the Malaysian government (through the Ministry) and CNN to tell the world the true story of Malaysia and see for them-selves the actual situation of peace, stability, happiness and prosperity that the country has," he told reporters after the launch here.

Abdul Kadir said CNN, as a world leader in global news and information operating 24 hours a day, had a great role to play in disseminating the right information on Malaysia to the world.

CNN International is seen in more than 160 million households in 212 countries and territories.

The television commercials and the 60-second vignettes entitled "Sun, Sea and Beaches"; "Faces and Landmarks"; "Culture and Cuisine" and "Eco and Adventure" will break on CNN International Prime Time starting Tuesday evening.

The new commercials which comprise eco-nature attractions, beaches and landmarks are aimed at creating an even stronger awareness of Malaysia as an attractive and interesting holiday destination while emphasizing the underlying message of peaceful and harmonious multi-racial country with a multi-cultural heritage.

On the cooperation with CNN, Abdul Kadir said the Ministry and CNN had been cooperating since last year and the four vignettes were the latest one-year television campaign.

On the tourism sector this year, he said it was difficult to sustain last year's 12.7 million arrivals due to the economic recession around the globe.