Rapid KL Special Bus Shuttle Service to MotoGP in Sepang

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 October – For the fourth consecutive year, Rapid KL will be providing the special shuttle service from the city and KLIA for fans to enjoy the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which will be held in Sepang from October 27 to 29.

Ensuring convenience for the fans, the bus tickets are already on sale at key LRT stations for the service, which will commence from Friday (27 October) to Sunday on October 29.

“Fans can already purchase the tickets at KLCC, Masjid Jamek and KL Sentral LRT stations so that fans can conveniently board the bus and head for Sepang. They can also be purchased at KLIA2 Transportation Hub at Level 1. We all know that tickets for the race had been selling like hot cakes and we expect many of them will be taking our services.

“Based on the last few years, Rapid KL bus services as the Official Public Transporter for the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix have been hugely popular. Hence, it is good to get the bus tickets now rather than during the event and needing to queue,” Rapid Bus Chief Executive Officer, Encik Mohd Azam Omar said in a statement today.

The MotoGP shuttle bus will serve express service between KLCC and KL Sentral in the city and SIC; and between KLIA2 and the circuit. These locations are selected as they provide the best convenience travel for fans.

While KLCC is easily accessible to city folks with its connectivity with Rapid KL’s LRT Kelana Jaya Line and the Go KL bus hub, KL Sentral is the national public transport hub which is connected to the ERL and KLIA Ekspres services, KTM Komuter and the ETS, KL Monorail services as well as Rapid KL’s LRT Kelana Jaya Line.

Ticket prices for travel between KL Sentral and KLCC, and SIC are RM20 per trip and RM38 for return trips.

The choice of KLIA2 is to support fans coming on domestic and international flights on the low-cost carrier. Bus ticket price is RM12 per trip.

“From October 27 and for throughout the three event days, the bus tickets can only be purchased at the departure points at KL Sentral, KLCC and KLIA2,” he said, adding that the departure point for KL Sentral is at Level 1 near the ERL Arrival Hall; and at the Go KL bus stop at Jalan Ampang.

For KLIA2, the departure point will be at Bay 87, the Bus Hub at Level 1 of the low-cost carrier airport terminal.

For buses from the city, bus frequency will be about 30 minutes; with the first bus leaving from the city to SIC at 8am and ending at 12 noon. The first bus from KLIA2 will be from 8am as well and ending at 12 noon for all three days.

For the return trips, the first bus will be leaving the circuit at 4pm; with the last bus scheduled at 7pm for all three days.

“My advice, however, is for fans to go early to the circuit. There is the Mega MotoGP Carnival where there will be plenty of fun activities, shopping and excitement for fans to enjoy apart from the world class races. There’s also the Asia Talent Cup where local hero Azroy Anuar has the opportunity to become Malaysia’s first overall champion in this prestigious series,” Azam added.

Apart from the three-day Mega MotoGP Carnival at the Mall Area, other off-track activities include the Riders Autograph Session and the Public Pit Lane Walk on Friday; the Riders Fan Forum and the Safety Car Ride on Saturday; and the Track Stunt Show and the Grid Walk on Sunday.
-Rapid KL facebook.

Sabah to get 4 more direct flights from China by February 2018

Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman launching the Mercure Kota Kinabalu

City Centre hotel today. Pix by Malai Rosmah Tuah

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is expected to get four more direct flights from China by February next year, said state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming.

“Beginning Nov 15, Malindo Air will commence the flight from Chengdu, and the following month will see the airline ferrying people from Changsha.

“The same airline will open up its destinations in Tianjin and Guangzhou before Chinese New Year,” he said, adding that there were currently 171 international flights, including about 80 from China, flying in to the state.

He was speaking at a press conference after the launch of Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre hotel here.

Pang said Chinese and Korean nationals made up 60 per cent of international tourists in the state.

As of August, the state registered 296,441 Chinese, 196, 895 Korean and 41, 968 Taiwanese tourists.

“The state government welcomes hoteliers to invest in Sabah, which, with the availability of places to stay, the (state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry) is able to resume its marketing activities.

“There have been shortages in accommodation, especially for highly-demanded four- or five-star hotels and resorts with beach views,” Pang said.

He said the state government assured international hotels that their investment would be protected as the authorities would impose stricter regulations on residential areas that could be rented via the Airbnb platform.

Earlier during the launch, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said the state’s efforts to market Sabah had relied strongly on identifying and working with the right partners, from the private sector to tourism associations and international groupings.

“Sabah made the right decisions over a decade when we placed our focus on tourism as one of our engines of growth, and as outlined in the State Development Agenda.

“It is my hope that more investors, both from Malaysia and overseas, will see the potential that Sabah has to offer in terms of tourism and services.”

Present were state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, AccorHotels chief operating officer (Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore) Garth Simmons and Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre general manager Jacques Leizerovici.

-nst online.

Sepang International Circuit Roll Out Special Ticket Deal For 2018 Malaysia MotoGP

KUALA LUMPUR, October 12, 2017 – The dust just barely settled for the final 2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) but that by no means all is done for the year.
 
Things are just about to get hot again at SIC as Malaysia prepare to host the penultimate round of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship from 27 to 29 October. In an unprecedented strategy, SIC today announced and launched ticket prices  for 2018 Malaysia MotoGP before the event takes place. This is a first in 27 years in organising MotoGP since 1991.
 
Ticket prices for 2018 event will see an increase of 10% from 2017 ticket prices. SIC maintained the current ticket prices for the last 3 years.  Given the current economic climate of rising costs, we are not able to maintain the total cost of organising this event and it is inevitable that ticket prices will increase. At the same time, spectators expectations and experiences are higher and for us to improve the organisation of MotoGP, we would need to increase ticket prices.
 
Starting from today (12 October) until race day on 29 October, fans will have the opportunity to purchase Main Grandstand tickets for the SHELL MALAYSIA MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX 2018 with the Super Early Bird Promotion.
 
The SHELL MALAYSIA MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX 2018 will be held from 2 to 4 November 2018, with a week gap after the Australian round.

 
SIC Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Razlan Razali said “We are pleased to announce the Super Early Bird Promotion for next year's event. This is to enable fans to get their tickets early and thus avoid any risk of missing the event next year. This year will be another sell-out event expecting over 160,000 spectators over three days. We are excited to see the massive crowd that will gather at SIC this year to catch the thrilling actions on track and support our Malaysian boys for the race. We understand that local fans of Malaysia MotoGP are highly emotional and price sensitive. Therefore, SIC is offering super early bird promotion based on 2017 ticket prices.
 
“We have decided to announce next year’s ticket early as to ensure that fans can book their dates and travel plans for next year earlier to avoid the hassle of buying at last minute. Although the tickets have increased for 2018, fans who purchased Main Grandstand tickets during the Super Early Bird promotion stand to buy their tickets at this year's early bird promotional price.”
 
The Main Grandstand tickets will be sold at RM166.50 during the Super Early Bird period. After which, it will be sold at RM210.90 during the Early Bird period (30 October to 17 March 2018). The normal rate for the 2018 ticket is RM244.20.
 
Ticket categories remain the same for 2018 with the Main Grandstand, K1 Grandstand, F Grandstand, SIC Racing Team Tribune, VR46 Tribune, Marc Marquez Tribune, C2 Hillstand and the Premier Roving. But SIC plans to introduce more riders or team tribunes similar to the current which may be launched starting next year.
 
On another note, although tickets for Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017 have sold out, SIC is working closely with Shell Malaysia and have launched a new seating area this year to accommodate the increasing demand­ – the Shell Hillstand which is an exclusive area with great view of Turn 13 and 14. For RM60, ticket holders will get a survival kit, the privilege of access to trading booths at the Mall area, picnic area and a host of exciting games and activities throughout the day.
 
C2 Hillstand tickets (at RM44.25) are also available with limited quantities or fans can opt to watch the race in style in the opulence of the MotoGP VIP Village (at RM5,280 each).
 
“We are targeting over 95,000 for Sunday race day. We welcomed 161,553 people for the race last year and we are confident to breach the figures this year.
 
“With three Malaysian riders in the world championships this year, I expect another bumper crowd to fill the stands on race day.”
 
Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Khairul Idham Pawi are competing in the Moto2 world championship while SIC Racing Team's Adam Norrodin will feature in the Moto3 world championship.
 
2018 SHELL MALAYSIA MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX TICKET PRICE

Ticket category	Super Early Bird Promotion (Oct 12-29-2017)	Early Bird Promotion  (Oct 30-March 17, 2018)	Normal Price (March 18 onwards)
Premier Roving	N/A	RM333	RM366.30
Marc Marquez Tribune	N/A	RM271.95	RM305.25
Main Grandstand	RM166.50	RM210.90	RM244.20
VR46 Tribune	N/A	RM173.16	RM195.36
K1 Grandstand	N/A	RM112.11	RM134.31
F Grandstand	N/A	RM86.58	RM97.68
SIC Racing Tribune	N/A	N/A	RM85.47
C2 Hillstand	N/A	N/A	RM44.84

 
Note:
Super Early Bird promotion ends 29 Oct 2017, or limited to 2,500 tickets, whichever is earlier. Tickets can be purchased via:
1. www.sepangcircuit.com
2. Ticket hotline 03-8778 2222 or
3. Walk-in to SIC. Those attending 2017 MotoGP may buy this Super Early Bird tickets at the Ticket Counter @ PX area.
4. Shell Hillstand tickets can be purchased at 122 participating Shell Stations. List of the Shell Stations is available on http://www.shell.com.my/motogp2017 .
 
Early Bird will start on 30 Oct 2017 and will end on 17 March 2018, or limited to 17,500 tickets, whichever is earlier.

-www.sepangcircuit.com

17.5 juta pelancong lawat Malaysia Januari hingga Ogos

Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Promosi Antarabangsa Asia/Afrika, Tourism Malaysia,

Datuk Musa Yusof (duduk dua dari kanan) bergambar bersama -sama ahli

Kelab Bola Sepak Tourism Malaysia dan Kelab Bola Sepak Industri Pelancongan

Hong Kong di Stadium Pancarona, Presint 18, sebelum perlawanan persahabatan

antara agensi pelancongan itu. Foto - Nur Shayaumil Qhairil Eemann

PUTRAJAYA: Kira-kira 17.5 juta pelancong mengunjungi negara ini sejak Januari hingga Ogos lalu.

Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Promosi Antarabangsa Asia/Afrika Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Musa Yusof, berkata daripada jumlah itu, pelancong dari Singapura adalah yang tertinggi dengan jumlah 8.7 juta.

"Ia diikuti, Indonesia 1.8 juta dan China iaitu 1.5 juta, yang mana meningkat 8.3 peratus berbanding 1.4 juta bagi tempoh sama pada tahun lalu.

"Tourism Malaysia menjalankan promosi yang agresif di seluruh dunia bagi menggalakkan pelancong datang ke Malaysia. "Contohnya di China, kita terbabit dalam China International Travel Mart (CITM), Ekspo ASEAN China (CAEXPO) dan Ekspo Pelancongan Antarabangsa Beijing (BITE) bagi mempromosikan Malaysia kepada rakyat China," katanya ketika ditemui di sini, hari ini.

Beliau ditemui ketika menyaksikan perlawanan persahabatan antara Kelab Bola Sepak Tourism Malaysia dengan Kelab Bola Sepak Industri Pelancongan Hong Kong (HKTIFA) di Stadium Pancarona, Presint 18, di sini.

Musa berkata antara aktiviti pelancongan yang digemari pelancong China adalah Durian Tour atau Lawatan Durian di Pulau Pinang dan melawat pusat peranginan di negara ini.

"Kemudahan penerbangan terus dari Hong Kong ke Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong ke Pulau Pinang dan Hong Kong ke Kota Kinabalu melalui ketiga-tiga lapangan terbang antarabangsa itu juga menjadi salah satu tarikan kepada pelancong ini untuk melawat Malaysia.

"Kita akan terus mempergiatkan usaha mempromosikan Malaysia untuk dikunjungi bagi meningkatkan ekonomi negara sekaligus memperkenalkan produk pelancongan Malaysia ke seluruh dunia," katanya.

-bh online.

The xx @ MITEC, Kuala Lumpur ( 25 January 2018 )

Formed in London in 2005, The xx are Romy Madley Croft (vocals, lead guitar), Oliver Sim (vocals, bass guitar), and Jamie Smith, also known as Jamie xx (beats, MPC sampler).

The trio rose from obscurity to win the 2010 Mercury Prize for their self-produced debut album 'xx', sparking a worldwide obsession for their original and intimate sound. Their follow-up album, 2012's 'Coexist' expands on their signature sound and tender minimalist style, best evident in the beautifully fragile lead track 'Angels'.

In their latest offering, 2017's 'I See You', The xx reveal themselves exploring a more playful, eclectic and expansive musical direction, winning over critics and fans alike with singles such as 'On Hold' and 'Say Something Loving'.

The xx are set to make history in their first-ever show in Malaysia on 25^th January 2018 - don't miss it!

-www.ticketpro.com.my

Flights from India could put destination Johor on the map, Singapore may lose

Potentially game changer for small- to medium-sized operators in Johor

With AirAsia commencing its first route between its southern hub of Johor and Kolkata, West Bengal’s capital, agents in Malaysia are expecting to see a shift both in consumer demand and business opportunities towards the state.

Commenting on the five-times-weekly flights, Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager, New Asia Holiday Tours & Travel, said: “This is an important route because in the past, Indians used to bypass Johor on their way to Singapore. These new flights will create a shift, where we will see Indians wanting to stay primarily in Johor Bahru.

“It will also create more interest among repeat visitors who have already been to Kuala Lumpur and Resorts World Genting. Johor will become a new destination which has it all, soft adventure, beaches, islands and man-made attractions such as golf courses, theme parks and shopping outlets.”

Ahead of the launch, a buyer-meet-seller event that brought together 30 outbound agents from Kolkata and 15 inbound tour operators and hotels from Johor was organised by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA), AirAsia and Tourism Johor.

MITA secretary-general, Adam Kamal, said the event provided new business opportunities for small and medium sized operators from the state of Johor, a departure from “concentrating solely on large tour operators from Kuala Lumpur”.

Indeed, inbound agent from Johor, Chali Ng, director of PSHolidays, said: “In the past, we played a supporting role with bookings for transport and tours coming from agents from Kuala Lumpur. At the recent B2B session, I made many contacts of outbound Indian agents and hope this will lead to more direct bookings.”

Despite the developments, Tesy Antony, director, Daya Kukuh Travel, opined that it remains a challenge to market Johor as a mono-destination for four-day stays without sufficient “world-class attractions” in the state.

The agency is hence looking at four-day packages combining Johor with Singapore or Johor with Malacca.

-TTG Asia.

Citrawarna@KualaLumpur @ Dataran Merdeka ( 28 Oktober 2017 )

-MOTAC.

Penang plans cargo container art district

Creative hub: An artist’s impression of the Penang Arts District.

The project will have a built-up area of 9,290sq m.

GEORGE TOWN: If all goes well, Penang will have an art district mainly made with cargo containers.

Planning has started for the RM30mil Penang Arts District (PAD) with the planning permission application submitted last month.

PAD director Tony Pua, also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, called on stakeholders of the art community to provide input to the detailed building plans in dialogue sessions with the project’s lead designer, BYG Architects Sdn Bhd.

PAD is slated to be a contemporary arts hub on 3.7ha near the corner of Gat Lebuh Macallum and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.

Pua said PAD would not only be a tourist destination but also a place for the local art community to promote their work.

“The dialogue sessions are important to get participation from everyone and make the place a success,” he told reporters yesterday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the planning permission was submitted two years after the project was announced in 2015, and the delay was unavoidable due to the proposed Komtar-Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit alignment, which is nearby.

The dialogue sessions will be held next Wednesday (3pm), next Thursday (10.30am) and Nov 10 (2pm) at Penang House of Music, Level Four, Komtar.

A session will also be held in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 2 at Next Academy, AG-7, Glomac Damansara, at 2.30pm.

To register, login to www.penangartsdistrict.com, e-mail stephanie@pceb.my or call 04-261 6161.

-thestar online.

Singapore travel companies boost Malaysia-bound coach fleets

Transtar Travel & Tours’ Elson Yap (middle) takes a closer look at one of the

new coach units together with Scania’s Mark Cameron (far left), and

Transtar Travel Group’s Tajarul Yusmi bin Mohd Yusup

Singapore’s Transtar Travel & Tours and WTS Travel & Tours have each expanded their fleet by adding 10 units of the Scania K-series coach – the manufacturer’s largest delivery of the kind – which will be deployed on new routes between Singapore and Malaysia.

Transtar Travel & Tours, a leading express coach company established in Singapore in 1994, operates between Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. The latest acquisition will allow the company to introduce two new routes between Gelang Patah Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru and Singapore.

The first of these routes, starting in December, will cover Singapore’s Central Business District, while the second commencing in April 2018 will cover the Jurong and Tuas industrial areas, Clementi and Buona Vista. Adding these to its two existing routes between Singapore and Johor Bahru, the company will provide passengers with more than 70 pick-up and alighting points on the island.

WTS Travel & Tours, established as a travel subsidiary of Woodlands Transport in 1989, currently operates coach services between Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malacca, Muar, Tangkak, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. It plans to announce its new routes and travel packages at a later date.

Micker Sia, managing director of WTS Travel & Tours, said: “We expect to see between 10 and 15 per cent increase in passenger traffic when we put the new coaches on the road.”

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia Fair @ AEON Mall Makuharishintoshin, Japan ( 20 ~ 22 October 2017 )

[Saturday, October 21]
■Held commemorative ceremony & fun lottery
■Malaysian dish talk show ～ Malaysia dishes and coconut ～
■Ethnic dance in Malaysia

[Sunday, October 22]
■What is dish which Malaysian dish talk show ～ Malaysian eats every week? ～
■Happy dish ～ of Malaysian dish talk show ～ Malaysia

[from Friday, October 20 to 22nd Sunday]
■Malaysian gourmet stand
■Special product sale in Malaysia
■Malaysian long stay consultation corner

[from Saturday, October 21 to 22nd Sunday]
■Malaysian national staple "Nasi Lemak" cooking show
■"Long stay seminar"

-AEON Mall Makuharishintoshin.
http://makuharishintoshin-aeonmall.com.e.vd.hp.transer.com/

Rally Of Perak ( 21 ~ 22 October 2017 )

-Malaysianrally facebook.
www.malaysianrally.com

Penang Island Jazz Festival 2017 ( 30 November ~ 3 December 2017 )

This year's 14^th edition of Malaysia's longest running annual jazz festival, The Penang Island Jazz Festival, will be held from the 30^th November to 3^rd December 2017.

A number of musical activities will be held in various venues on the island such as an opening performance at 23 Love Lane and an exhibition at The Black Box - Penang House of Music in Georgetown, Fringe Stages in the lobbies of Hard Rock Hotel, Penang and Bayview Beach Resort, the early morning "Sunrise@Tropical Spice Garden in Teluk Bahang and the "Jazz By The Beach" stage in the gardens of Bayview Beach Resort.

Besides musical performances, there will also be workshops conducted by participating artists, the Island music forum on topics revolving around other aspects of the music industry, gallery exhibitions and the after- hours jazz jam.

This year's main stage programme showcases a diverse and eclectic line-up of performers on the "Jazz By The Beach stage" on 2^nd & 3^rd December 2017 with Italian fingerstyle guitarist "Peppino D'Agostino", jazz, blues and swing band - "Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys", jazz saxophonist cum opera singer "Haakon Kornstad", a Polish-Indonesian collaboration "Grzegorz Karnas Formula", creative jazz drummer "Eva Klesse and her Quartet", Ethno-fusion bands "SE:UM", and "Modern Pansori" from Korea, modern jazz Luxembourg-USA collaboration trio "Reis Demuth Wiltgen", acoustic folk jazz quartet "Holler My Dear" and Penang's own jazz quintet "Tonal Alchemy".

The Penang Island Jazz Festival 2017 is part of 10 Days 3 Festivals and supported by Penang Global Tourism Sdn. Bhd., Goethe Institut, Austrian Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Embassy of The Republic of Poland, IAM Culture, Jazz Polsku, Sori festival, Jeonbuk Culture Contents Industry Agency, Redcon Music Factory, Music LX, The Culture Factory SE:UM, Incheon Cultural Foundation, Arts Council Korea, Bupyeong Cultural Foundation, Aesop, KK Jazz Festival, LBS Music World, Roland Asia Pacific, The Guitar Store, Official Ride Partner - UBER, Venue Partners, Bayview Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Tropical Spice Garden, The Black Box Penang House of Music, 23. Love lane, Media Partners aforadio.com, Malaysian Insights, Homegrown Productions and Rentak Sejuta.

Tickets to the "Jazz by the Beach" performances are priced at RM85.00 per night and is available via www.ticketpro.com.my and its authorized outlets.

For more information on the Festival activities, visit www.penangjazz.com.
Join us on
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenangIslandJazzFestival,
Twitter @penangjazzfest,
Instagram @PenangIslandJazzFestival and our
YouTube channel PenangIslandJazzFestival.

The Penang Island Jazz Festival is organized and managed by The Capricorn Connection
Ms. Chin CY, Festival Administrator (012 - 356 5544, chincy@penangjazz.com)
Mr. Kevin Theseira, Administrative & Programme Executive (016- 360 7091, kevin@penangjazz.com)

PENANG ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL 2017
MAIN STAGE PROGRAMME
Saturday (2^nd December 2017)
7:00pm - 7:45pm -> Modern Pansori
7:55pm - 8:40pm -> Eva Klesse Quartet
8:50pm - 9:35pm -> Peppino D'Agostino
9:45pm - 10:30pm -> Grzegorz Karnas Formula
10:40pm - 11:25pm -> Adam Hall and The Velvet Playboys

Sunday (3^rd December 2017)
7:00pm - 7:45pm -> Tonal Alchemy
7:55pm - 8:40pm -> SE:UM
8:50pm - 9:35pm -> Haakon Kornstad
9:45pm - 10:30pm -> Reis Demuth Wiltgen
10:40pm - 11:25pm -> Holler My Dear
N.B. Programme is subject to change

-www.ticketpro.com.my

American Perez takes CIMB Classic

KUALA LUMPUR: American Pat Perez (pix) has won the CIMB Classic for his career third US PGA Tour title.

The 41-year-old shot a final round 69 for 24-under 264 total to win by four strokes from compatriot Keegan Bradley at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

He pocketed US$1.26mil (RM5.23mil) for his effort.

PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Xander Schaufelle could only manage a 72 to share third with South Korea's Kang Sung-hoon (71) on 271.

Gavin Kyle Green emerged the best Malaysian finisher in the 78-man field event in joint 61st spot. He closed with a 75 for 288 overall. Danny Chia was a stroke behind in tied 63rd while Nicholas Fung finished 76th on a dismal 11-over 299.

Leading final round scores

264: Pat Perez (US) 66-65-64-69;

268: Keegan Bradley (US) 65-71-65-67;

271: Xander Schauffele (US) 65-67-67-72, Kang Sung-hoon (Kor) 67-68-65-71;

272: Cameron Smith (Aus) 64-71-73-64, Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn) 70-68-63-71.

274: Paul Casey (Eng) 77-63-69-65, Danny Lee (Nzl) 73-65-68-68, Lucas Glover (US) 71-67-68-68;

275: Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spa) 67-70-69-69, Peter Uihlein (US) 73-68-65-69, Anirban Lahiri (Ind) 67-73-64.

-thestar online.

MATTA swings into action with own ITB pavilion and other roadshows

Executive council members of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) have announced plans for 2018, which include the purchase of a pavilion at ITB Berlin, a first for the association, and roadshows to nordic markets in the first half of the year.

MATTA president KL Tan said: “We just opened for (the ITB) registration. We expect 25 members to join us as well as 15 hoteliers and product owners.”

Following the ITB Berlin travel trade show, MATTA will be organising a roadshow to Sweden, Denmark and Finland from March 12-15.

In addition, MATTA will more aggressively organise B2B roadshows in New Delhi (January), Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad (February), Chengdu, Chongqing, Jakarta and Surabaya (March), and Dhaka, Kolkata and Hyderabad (April).

Tan said there will be a focus on South Asia, China and Indonesia – key inbound markets for Malaysia. Arrivals from these markets comprised 21.5 per cent of total arrivals to Malaysia for the first five months.

MATTA, which only started organising its own roadshows this year, intends to work closely with Tourism Malaysia’s overseas offices and travel agents associations in the country it brings its events to.

In addition, MATTA has submitted its proposals to the government to be taken into consideration when Budget 2018 is tabled on October 27. Tan shared: “Our proposals include easing conditions to assist new and small companies, providing tax incentives to tour operators who handle more than 750 foreign tourists and 1,500 domestic tourists annually, and providing funding for capacity building in the travel sector including apprentice training to reskilling and upskilling of current practitioners.

“We also asked the government for incentives for online marketing and promotions to enable agents to compete more effectively with online travel agents. And to attract more high-end travellers, we have asked for a waiver of import duty for luxury tour vehicles and excise duty exemption to be extended to all classes of tourism vehicles.”

-TTG Asia.
http://www.matta.org.my/