Pelancongan Kini - Malaysia (Malaysia

Thursday, May 23, 2013

PLUS : Follow The TTA On The Highway During Wesak Day & School Holidays

Petaling Jaya, Tuesday:- Those planning to use the North-South Expressway (NSE) during the upcoming Wesak Day and school holidays are advised to follow the PLUS Travel Time Advisory (TTA) schedule for a smoother journey.

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Fuad Khusairi said, ”The TTA, which was issued during the previous festive seasons and peak days has helped to facilitate smoother traffic flow on the highways. As such, those planning to travel on the PLUS operated highway beginning 23 May to 9 June are advised to follow the TTA.“

PLUS anticipates the traffic on the North-South Expressway will increase by 17 percent to 1.5 million vehicles per day during the holidays compared to 1.2 million vehicles on normal days.

TTA is a staggered travelling schedule for various destinations along the North-South Expressway. It is part of PLUS’ strategies to distribute the traffic and reduce traffic congestion on the mainline, rest areas and toll plazas.

PLUS also advises the public to contact the toll free PLUSLine 1800 88 0000 or follow the PLUSTrafik Twitter service for the latest traffic updates on the highways.

-PLUS.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Chris Tucker The Return Tour 2013

PR Worldwide is proud to announce the manic, motor-mouth, Hollywood celebrity Chris Tucker returns to his stand-up roots and takes the stage at the KL Convention Centre on June 24th, 9pm for an evening of pure comedy and side-splitting laughter. Hailed as one of the funniest comedians in the industry, Chris is best known for his role as fast talking Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series. In 2006 he negotiated an unprecedented $25 million salary to appear in Rush Hour 3, which at the time made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The Rush Hour film trilogy smashed box office records earning $850 million worldwide. He came into fame during the 1995 film Friday alongside Ice Cube, but it was on Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s where Chris got his start as a comedian. He also appeared in Luc Besson’s sci-fi classic The Fifth Element, Dead Presidents and Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown.

After taking a six year hiatus from the big screen, he recently returned to costar alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro in the Oscar-nominated film Silver Linings Playbook.Despite his successful film career, stand up has always been a priority for Chris. Whilst away from screens, Chris has been reclaiming his status as stand up comedy’s king. “People might not know this but I’ve been busy working. I went back to stand-up about six years ago and have been touring for the last few years in the States and now we’re taking it international.” Chris Tucker says.

According to MTV UK, “Chris Tucker is definitely back on the map, starring in the new film Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. But ultimately, live stand up is what Tucker does best; the laughs were continuous throughout the show and the crowd certainly appreciated his return.” Tucker is also a humanitarian and spends much of his spare time traveling and working with his foundation, The Chris Tucker Foundation. Don’t miss the hilarious Chris Tucker on his Return Tour live at The KL Convention Centre, Hal 1 on June 24th!

-www.ticketpro.com.my

Kuching outbids Prague for ICCA 2016

Kuching has elbowed out Prague to host the ICCA Congress in 2016, in what is described as an expensive bid but one that promises to catapult the secondary Malaysian city onto the global association meetings map.

“Bids are always expensive, ours is no exception, but look at what hosting ICCA Congress has achieved for Liepzig. Shortly after, it received four major international congresses. We expect the same kind of impact," said Paul D’Arcy, head of Bid Team Malaysia and CEO of Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

As part of the bid, Malaysia Airlines has come onboard to offer discounted airfares, including across its Oneworld alliance partners, while hotels have guaranteed rates for 2016, from US$100. Some 700 to 1,000 pax are expected for the congress.

“The value of the bid really is branding, branding, branding,” said a jubilant Mike Cannon, managing director of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB). “It is a great opportunity for a second-tier city to put itself within the industry.”

In 2012, SCB won 45 bids comprising 19,688 delegates and contributing close to RM40 million (US$13.3 million) of direct delegate expenditure to Sarawak.

ICCA president, Arnaldo Nardone, said it was a battle between a newly emerging destination in the fastest growing region of the world, and a well-established cultural European capital with the potential to help ICCA build a stronger presence in Eastern Europe.

“Both presented tremendous bid documents, both delivered strong presentations, both teams were enthusiastic and committed. Kuching, however, stood out in terms of presenting themselves as a role model and inspiration for other second-tier cities, was also a whole country bid involving all our Malaysian members, and clearly presented as part of a sophisticated national development strategy.”

-TTG Asia.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Youth Tourism Fair @ Putrajaya ( 23~26 May 2013 )

In conjunction with Putrajaya Youth Festival 2013, Malaysia largest youth gathering, Tourism Malaysia will take part in the Youth tourism Fair 2013. This event is intended to offer an opportunity for visitors to the carnival; especially the youth to get domestic travel information.

Highlights of the activities include Promo Domestic Tour Packages, Performing artists, travel quiz and many more.

Come Get The Best Deals On Local Travel Packages!
Date: 23 – 26 May 2013
Venue: Precinct 2, Putrajaya
Time: 23 May 2013 – 12.00 pm – 10.00 pm
24 May 2013 – 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
25 May 2013 – 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
26 May 2013 – 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
-Malaysia Truly Asia facebook.

Colours of 1Malaysia - 25 May 2013

-Malaysia Truly Asia facebook.

Lego organises first-ever Asian building competition

Legoland Malaysia model shop manager Stefan Bentivoglioat building a model using Lego bricks during the media launch.

People of all ages, cultures and nationalities have one thing in common — they all have stories to tell.

Now, Lego would like to hear your story, whether it is about your life, hobby, creation or ambition, and then build it with Lego bricks in Lego’s first-ever Asian building competition themed “Build Your World”. There will be two categories — for those aged six to 12 and those over 12 years old.

Participants in each category have to build a model with Lego bricks from May 28 to June 9 at the concourse area of Bangsar Village II and then submit their creations for review. Free competition forms can be obtained at the concourse area of Bangsar Village and Bangsar Village II prior to the competition dates.

Legoland Malaysia general manager Siegfried Boerst said Build Your World was the biggest competition of its kind in Asia with an expected draw of more than 10,000 children from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan and South Africa.

“The aim of the competition is to promote creativity and imagination, which are the core values of the Lego brand. “By inviting everyone, especially children, to join the competition, the Lego Group takes one more step towards fulfilling its mission of inspiring and developing the builders of tomorrow,” said Boerst.

The winners will be chosen based on creativity and imagination and will be given a two-day stay and a special VIP tour at Asia’s very first Legoland in Johor Baru.
Each winner will also compete at the international level alongside winners from other participating countries.
-thestar online.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Malaysia’s Tourism Highlights – JULY 2013

PUTRAJAYA, 13 May 2013 – A mix of sports, art, and foreign cultural events kicks off the third quarter of 2013. Come and experience Malaysia’s tourism highlights in July for an unforgettable holiday.

GEORGE TOWN FESTIVAL 2013 - PENANG UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY CELEBRATION 2013
George Town Festival 2013 is a month-long celebration of art, music, theatre, dance, opera and film to commemorate the capital city of Penang’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage listing on 7 July 2008.

Every year, the celebration transforms George Town into an exciting and unique platform for the arts, heritage and culture. Do not miss this opportunity to see the unique historical architectural buildings around Penang too!

Organiser:   George Town Festival Secretariat
Date:           7 June - 7 July 2013
Venue:       Esplanade, Pulau Pinang
Contact:       +6 04 261 6308
Website:      www.georgetownfestival.com

The bargains continue! The 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2013!
Shopaholics alert! The 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 2013 continues in July. For the whole month of July, you can look within and beyond shopping malls to enjoy irresistible offers and special promotions!

Bookmark your calendar now to enjoy shopping and save more with all the great bargains. Shop till you drop!

Organiser:   Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia
Date:           29 June – 1 Sept 2013
Venue:       Nationwide
Contact:       03 – 2614 8691

PORT DICKSON INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON 2013
Do you swim like a fish? Run like the wind? Cycle like the dogs are chasing you? How about taking up this 3-in-1 sports challenge at the Port Dickson International Triathlon 2013?

As the most popular triathlon in Malaysia, the event attracts triathletes from as far as Hong Kong and Macau every year to compete in this test of endurance and stamina. Catch the live action at the most popular beach on the west coast of the peninsula!

Organiser:   Triathlon Malaysia
Date:           6 – 7 July 2013
Venue:       Avillion Admiral Cove / Admiral Marina & Leisure Club,
                   Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Website:       www.triathlonmalaysia.com

MELAKA UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY CELEBRATION 2013
Similar to Penang, the Melaka UNESCO World Heritage City Celebration 2013 commemorates the historic occasion of Melaka being declared as a World Heritage City by UNESCO on 7 July 2008!

Highlights of the celebration include dazzling fireworks display and cultural performances by Melaka’s unique communities such as the Baba & Nyonya, the Portuguese, and the Chitty. The night-long celebration will be a colourful display of the city’s unique culture and heritage!

Organiser:   Melaka Historical City Council/ Melaka Museums Corporation (PERZIM)
Date:           7 July 2013
Venue:       Bandar Hilir Melaka, Melaka
Contact:       +6 06 2326411

RAMADHAN BAZAAR 2013
As the Muslim fasting month begins, a long line of street-side stalls will sprout up all over the country at local bazaars offering a sumptuous array of local delicacies especially traditional Malay food for Muslims to break their fast.

A jovial mood pervades these bazaars as everyone shops around for the best bargains on food, clothing, and religious items! Unique to Malaysia, the Ramadhan Bazaars can be found at most cities and towns throughout the nation, and is a sunset shopping and fasting experience for all.

Date:       8 July – 7 August 2013
Time:        5pm – 6pm
Venue:      Nationwide

RUN, IPOH, RUN!
Get your running shoes ready as the Ipoh International Run (IIR) 2013 is back! This time, the event is targeting more than 13,000 runners from all over the world, from as far as Kenya, Hungary and Japan.

The run will be divided into 12 categories (21km, 10km, 5km and 7km) including the 5km Fun Run event. Prizes will also be awarded to the best-dressed participants in the Fun Run! Run with us!

Organiser:   Ipoh City Council
Date:           7 July 2013
Time:           6.30am
Venue:       Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Website:       www.ipohrun.com

BON ODORI (SELANGOR) SUMMER CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2013
Get ready for Malaysia’s largest Japanese cultural event! Unlike the one held in Japan, this Bon Odori Summer Cultural Festival is mainly held to showcase Japanese art, dance and delicacies in Malaysia.

The highlight of the event is the gathering around the yagura, a platform or stage where everyone is invited to dance to local Japanese folk tunes. Come and experience the real Japanese matsuri atmosphere!

Organiser:   Tourism Selangor & Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur
Date:           7 July 2013
Venue:       Matsushita Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor
Contact:       +6 03 5513 2000
Website:      www.selangortourism.my
BON ODORI (PENANG) SUMMER CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2013
Missed the Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam? There’s another one in Penang! Here, one will have the opportunity not only to witness the showcase of Japanese culture but also to mingle with the Japanese community in Penang!

As one of the signature cultural events of Penang, the festival is celebrated with dance and drum performances, stalls selling local Japanese food and souvenirs, fireworks display, and games! Get ready!

Organiser:   The Consulate-General of Japan &
                   Penang State Tourism Development and Culture Office
Date:           20 July 2013
Time:           5pm – 11pm
Venue:       Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama), Pulau Pinang
Contact:       +6 04 6505 136
St Anne’s Feast 2013
Watch as the St Anne’s Church in Penang transforms into a fairyland of lights! In July every year, Catholic pilgrims from all over the world take part in this massive St Anne’s festival and candlelight procession!

The celebration includes prayer, a candlelight procession, a novena, and a nine-day prayer.
Drawing up to 100,000 pilgrims from around the world every year, it is the largest such festival in South-East Asia, and one of the biggest in the world!

Organiser:   St. Anne’s Church
Date:           19 – 28 July 2013
Venue:       St. Anne’s Church, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact:       +6 04 5386405
BORNEO INTERNATIONAL YACHTING CHALLENGE 2013
The Borneo International Yachting Challenge 2013 is back! Boats from all over the world including Holland and the United States are participating in this exciting regatta!

Watch the teams race against one another along the coastline of Tanjung Aru beach and Kota Kinabalu city, and circling the nearby islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Organiser:   Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Sarawak &
                   Sabah Tourism Board & Labuan Corporation
Date:           1 – 7 July 2013
Venue:       Labuan & Miri, Sarawak & Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:       +6 085 423 033
Website:       http://www.borneorace.com

1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival (1MCAT)
Check out the coming 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival (1MCAT) for various art exhibitions, seminars and unique art displays in the galleries! From July to September 2013, the 1MCAT 2013 will be held at various locations and venues throughout the country.

The objective of the event is to create a unique platform to promote Malaysian artists and artworks to a global audience, as well as to discover, groom and launch the careers of young Malaysian artists.

Organiser:   Ministry of Tourism Malaysia
Date:           1 July – September 2013
Venue:         Throughout Malaysia
Contact:       +6 03 8891 7519

All information is correct at time of publication. Visitors are advised to contact the event organiser for the latest updates.
-Tourism Malaysia.

Firefly, Malindo square off on domestic routes

Firefly will face stiff competition from Malindo Air when the latter commences twice-daily turbo-propeller operations to Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu out of Subang Skypark Terminal from June 3.

Malindo Air took delivery of its first ATR72-600 aircraft this morning with another three aircraft to be delivered next month, and a further two in September.

By December 2013, the carrier will have a total of 12 aircraft (Boeing 737-900ER) operating out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or klia2 – if the new terminal is operational by then – and six ATR72-600 turbo-propeller aircraft, flying out of Subang.

Malindo has started selling tickets for its services to Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Bharu, with all-in, one-way fares from RM69 (US$23).

Expecting competition from the new airline, Firefly launched its Everyday Low Fares campaign last Monday, to run for an indefinite period. However, Firely’s promotional fares appear higher than Malindo Air’s, with a one-way fare from Subang to Johor Bahru priced from RM79, Penang at RM123.95, and Kota Bharu at RM139.

Malindo CEO, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the ATR flights would initially connect Subang with secondary destinations within Peninsular Malaysia and certain points in Sumatra.

He said: “The turbo-prop operations will act as a feeder service to the jet operations, currently operating out of KLIA. We are talking to Malaysia Airports Holdings to provide public land transportation to link Subang and KLIA for the convenience of travellers. “We are also revising upwards the (travel consultant) commission structure, which will be from three per cent of the base fare, for both jet and turbo-prop operations.”

Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said Malindo’s new turbo-propeller services would add capacity and provide healthy competition for Firefly.

He said: “The three secondary routes – Penang, Kota Bharu and Johor Bahru – are also business routes. Flying to Subang city airport will provide convenience to business travellers as it is close to Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas. They will save on transport as compared to landing at KLIA.”
-TTG Asia.

Johor Food & Cultural Fest @ Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur

It’s that time of the year again for locals and tourists to witness the best of Malaysia’s rich cultures, beautiful and intricate crafts as well as glorious cuisine. Experience the vibrant colourful parades, cultural and traditional performances, exhibitions and not forgetting sampling of authentic and mouthwatering local delicacies held nationwide.

Available from 21 May to 3 June 2013, the highlight of the festival will be the Buffet Lunch and Dinner, priced at RM68nett and RM78nett respectively.

Johor, known as "The Southern Gateway to Malaysia" is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state is known for eco-tourism, agro-tourism and sports-tourism and also the state capital and hub for businesses, transportation and entertainment.

Travel on a gastronomic journey with a splendid array of Johorean favourites ranging from a wide selection of rice, chicken, beef, mutton, soup, noodles and desserts. Cuisines from Johor are influenced by Arabs and cultures of Maritime South East Asia (Phillipines, Brunei, Singapore, East Timor, Indonesia & Malaysia). Some of the yummy dishes served include Mee Rebus Tulang, Nasi Ambeng, Nasi Briyani Kambing Beyh, Deng-Deng Goreng, Otak-Otak, Mee Bandung and Lemak Lodeh.

Diners can also opt for one of the favourite items,Laksa Johor – flaked fish cooked in fresh coconut milk infused with spices and served with cucumber and onion slices, bean sprouts, lime, mint leaves and daun kesum. This is definitely not to be missed! Additionally there are also other mouth-watering delights such as Lontong with condiments, Mee Rebus Tulang and Mee Bandung – a concoction of thick yet delicious gravy served with yellow noodles, eggs and tomatoes.

Dessert is a must! Do make some room for Malaysia’s favourite dessert originated from Johor, Kole Kacang, luscious Pisang Salai, Binka Ubi, Cendol Durian, Nagasi and Kuih Sirat. Other traditional desserts, coupled with freshly cut fruits, puddings, ice creams, cookies and cakes of different kinds are also served at the dessert counter.

While enjoying a sumptuous meal, diners will be treated to famous Johorean enchanting cultural performances which consist of joget, zapin, medley of Johor folk songs and tarian Kuda Kepang – a traditional dance usually performed by nine dancers who are seated astride a mock horse, accompanied by a percussion ensemble of drums, gong and angklung. These dances will be performed daily during lunch time and dinner time. There will also be display and sale of ‘Made in Johor’ handicrafts at the hotel’s lobby.

Zende Restaurant is situated at Level 3 of the Hotel With a seating capacity of 180 guests, the opening hours of are from 6.30am to 1.00am. For more information, please contact Zende Restaurant at 03-4049 4351 or email us at asha@seripacific.com or visit us at www.seripacifichotel.com
-Seri Pacific Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Airlines Flies Daily to Kathmandu

Subang, 17 May 2013: Malaysia Airlines will be increasing its frequency between Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu to seven times weekly beginning 1 June 2013.

At present, the airline operates five times weekly into the Nepalese state on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On 1st September 2012, the national carrier operated its inaugural flight to Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur on a thrice-weekly service schedule. The service was received well and the demand increased in just two months.

The introduction of the new link with Kathmandu is in line with Malaysia Airlines’ continued efforts to further strengthen its market presence in the regional market as outlined in its Business Plan announced last December.

Malaysia Airlines, Director of Commercial, Dr. Hugh Noel Dunleavy said, “We have such great demand from our passengers to fly between Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu. With the daily frequency, our customers will be able to travel conveniently and at ease. On top of that, the increased frequency will provide excellent connectivity between Malaysia and various other destinations on Malaysia Airlines and our oneworld routes.”

“Kathmandu has been a wonderful experience for us at Malaysia Airlines and our customers. We are not only receiving good traction from the labour market but given that Kathmandu is likened to heaven on earth, many Malaysians are putting this destination in their must visit list. Kathmandu is a hub for independent travellers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. Surrounded by serene mountains, it is a perfect place for those who yearn for a relaxing holiday or even a challenging mountain climbing adventure,” he added.

A two-class configured Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 144 economy class seats and 16 business class seats is being used for this Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu return service. Flight MH170 departs Kuala Lumpur at 8.55am to arrive at Kathmandu at 11.30am. The return flight MH171 departs Kathmandu at 12.20pm to arrive at Kuala Lumpur at 7.15pm.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines Economy, Business and First Class travelers will get to enjoy 30, 40 and 50 kilograms baggage allowance respectively. Passengers on Economy Class are also entitled to one piece of hand baggage weighing a maximum 7 kg, while those in Business Classes are allowed two pieces.

Tickets are available to customers at all distribution channels www.malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1 300 88 3000, MH Buddy in Malaysia Airlines Facebook, MHmobile, Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.
-Malaysia Airlines.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Ahmad Kamarudin berazam majukan destinasi pelancongan Perak

Ahmad Kamarudin Yussof (kanan) memperkatakan sesuatu kepada para pegawainya ketika majlis minum petang sempena Program Suai Kenal Pengarah Tourism Perak di Ipoh, Perak, kelmarin.

IPOH 16 Mei - Pengarah Tourism Perak yang baharu, Ahmad Kamarudin Yusoff berazam memberi perkhidmatan terbaik bagi menjadikan negeri ini destinasi pelancongan utama negara.

Ahmad Kamarudin berkata, untuk mencapai matlamat tersebut, beliau berharap semua pihak dapat bekerjasama dan mainkan peranan lebih aktif terutama dalam urusan mempromosikan Perak di luar negara. Menurut beliau, antara usaha sedang dilakukan Tourism Perak dengan kerjasama agensi pelancongan ketika ini termasuklah menganjurkan famtrip Pulau Jarak di Bagan Datoh dekat sini untuk mewujudkan pakej memancing.

"Selain itu, pakej Bike Ride kita juga telah mendapat liputan meluas dan terpilih untuk dimasukkan ke dalam penerbitan risalah 1,001 pakej untuk pasaran domestik dan antarabangsa. Kita juga mempunyai World Drum and Percussion Festival, MATTA Fair dan program inap desa.

"Tourism Malaysia juga baru selesai sesi penggambaran gambar pegun di seluruh Perak. Gambar-gambar berevolusi tinggi ini akan digunakan sebagai bahan promosi di dalam dan luar negara," katanya ketika berucap dalam majlis suai kenal bersama penggiat industri pelancongan negeri Perak di sini semalam.
Yang turut hadir Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Tourism Perak, Musa Don.

Ahmad Kamarudin turut memohon agensi pelancongan memperbanyakkan pakej yang ditawarkan untuk pelancong. Pada masa yang sama, beliau juga meminta kerjasama masyarakat setempat memaklumkan kepadanya jika terdapat produk-produk baharu boleh diketengahkan di kawasan masing-masing.

"Semenangnya untuk menjadikan Perak destinasi pelancongan utama kita tidak boleh hanya duduk diam dan berharap ia terjadi sendiri. Sebaliknya kita perlu bergerak dalam mempromosikan terutama dengan mengadakan jualan-jualan pakej sama ada secara terus atau melalui internet.

"Pengalaman yang saya ada ketika di unit latihan terutama dalam bidang pemasaran pelancongan strategik dan penjenamaan akan digunakan untuk membawa perubahan dan meningkatkan ekonomi masyarakat setempat di negeri ini," katanya.
-utusan online.

Better air links inspire hopes for stronger Eastern Europe MICE demand

Inbound agents in Malaysia are projecting growth in the incentive business from Eastern Europe this year, thanks largely to improved air connections to the region offered by Middle Eastern airlines.

Qatar Airways bumped up frequencies to Warsaw from four flights weekly to daily services on February 1, while Emirates commenced daily flights between Dubai and Warsaw on February 6. The latter, which has been flying daily to Prague since July 1, 2010, also increased its services between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur from 26 weekly flights to 28 from April 1.

Alex Lee, CEO of Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours in Terengganu, expects to see a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in business mainly from the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary for the coming European summer this year.

Although Lee noted that most incentive groups from Eastern Europe were small, with less than 50 people each, he said that it was nonetheless a “good market to tap as the economy is growing, as compared to Central Europe”. “(Eastern European incentive travellers) look for good beaches and shopping. We will work with our partners in Europe and attend trade shows such as ITB to further tap this market,” he said.

Luxury Tours Malaysia senior manager, Arokia Das, projects a 50 per cent increase in incentive business from the region for the European winter season based on advanced requests. He said: “Our advantage is that many incentive groups have already been to Bali, Phuket and Bangkok and are now looking for new destinations in (Asia). Eastern Europe is a good market as incentive groups usually spend about five nights in Malaysia.”

Lee added there had been a heightened demand from corporate clients in Eastern Europe for corporate social responsibility programmes. To cater to this demand, Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours is working with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Terengganu and NGOs to develop day and night programmes on turtle and terrapin conservation in Terengganu.

Despite observations of stronger demand from Eastern Europe since late-2012, Malai Adventure managing director, Nasha Abdullah, said the market’s awareness of Malaysia as a destination was still low. “With Visit Malaysia Year just round the corner, we hope (awareness of Malaysia) will improve through government efforts,” she said.
-TTG Asia.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Firefly launches everyday low fare for all destinations

From left: Fireefly 's Nurul Sapinas, Azman Ahmad Chief Commercial officer of Firefly, Ignatius Ong Ming Choy Chief Executive officer of Firefly and Amira Ashle during the Firefly Promotes Everyday Low Fare.

KUALA LUMPUR: Firefly has launched its everyday low fare for all its destinations.

Its CEO Ignatius Ong said on Thursday the one-way fares for local and international routes start from RM49 to RM249. Ong said the new fares were targeted at all market segments. He added the airline now has 12 ATR aircraft and will launch new routes in the future.

Bernama meanwhile reported that Firefly, a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, expects an increase in revenue base of a minimum 15 to 20 per cent this year.

"Although April was slow, we picked up after May," it quotaed Ong as saying.
The package, launched on May 13 this year, offers 500,000 seats for travel between June 13, 2013 and March 2014. Ong said the promotion is not just for affordable fares but also to reach out to all segments of travellers and to create awareness on travel insurance.

Firefly operates a fleet of ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft out of Penang and Subang, connecting secondary destinations within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle as well as linkages between Malaysia and Singapore.
-thestar online.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Malaysia’s new Cabinet

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Razak unveiled a cabinet to drive through his ambitious economic and political transformation agenda on Wednesday.

He said the cabinet included a mix of technocrats and civil society representatives, who bring valuable experience from outside government, as well as experienced ministers and younger faces.

The cabinet also draws on Malaysia's diverse ethnic communities, he said.

New faces include: Paul Low, anti-corruption campaigner and President of Transparency International (Malaysia), will be a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. P. Waytha Moorthy, human rights activist and Chairman of Hindraf, an NGO that campaigns for equal rights for Malaysian Indians, will be a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Abdul Wahid Omar, President and CEO of Maybank, one of Southeast Asia's top 5 banks that serves 22 million customers, will be a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Khairy Jamaluddin, the 37 year-old MP re-elected MP for Rembau with a tripled majority of over 18,000 votes, will be Minister for Youth & Sports.

Abdul Rahman Dahlan, MP for Kota Belud in Sabah, will lead the new Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing & Local Government.

"The new cabinet will be responsible for delivering transformation in Malaysia and continuing the economic and political reforms that began four years ago.

"The new ministers bring both the measured calm of experience, and the vibrant energy of new ideas; a grounding in anti-corruption and human rights law, and an appreciation for the dynamism of the private sector.

"Over the past months and years, divisions have opened up in Malaysian society. Now it is time for all of us, in government and beyond, to put the bitterness behind us, and work towards national reconciliation and national unity.

"It is in that spirit that I have asked these men and women to serve, not just as ministers, but as a unity Cabinet. Together we will act to bring about national reconciliation, secure Malaysia's economic future, and build a stronger, more harmonious society,” he said.

The new line-up of Ministers and Deputy Ministers are:

Prime Minister: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy Prime Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

1. Prime Minister's Department:

Ministers:

Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom

Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar (to be appointed senator)

Datuk Seri Idris Jala (to be appointed senator)

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim

Nancy Shukri

Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun