The Tourism of Barcelona office plans to establish direct flight linkages between Malaysia and Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain.

Its general manager Pere Duran said within the Asian region, only Singapore, China and Thailand have direct flights to Spain, mainly through Barcelona or Spainish capital Madrid, and the emergence of another flight destination between Asia and Spain will boost trade and tourism.

"There are currently ongoing discussions for Malaysia Airlines to begin direct flight services to Barcelona," Duran said.

"The commencement of this service is essential with increasing tourists from Malaysia and Singapore," he told Bernama on the sidelines of an evening cocktail held in conjunction with the visit of Barcelona's leading tourism professionals.

According to Duran, there is now an increasing demand for more direct flights to Barcelona from Malaysia and the rest of Asia, especially as the flights currently available through Singapore Airlines are often fully booked.

Singapore Airlines had recently started its direct flight services to Barcelona.

In China, Spain-based Air Europa started to offer direct flights from Beijing to Madrid from May 2005.

Duran said Malaysian tourists wishing to fly to Barcelona now have to transit via Singapore or one of the cities in Europe as there is no direct flight yet.

"There is also an increasing number of businessmen from Barcelona who are keen to set up business in Malaysia. This will increase the number of travellers," he said.