Tuesday 31 July 2018

RM10 tourism tax to be maintained


THE flat rate of RM10 per room per night on foreign tourists will be maintained, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi.

“Under the new government, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has reviewed implementation of the tourism tax.

“From the review, the implementation of the tax by countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, Singapore and Thailand, proved that the tax has brought positive growth to the tourism sector in the long term,” he said in a written reply to Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah (PH-Port Dickson).

Mohamaddin noted that Japan and Saudi Arabia had recently implemented the tourism tax.


He said the tax is expected to bring positive impact to the tourism industry through the financing of infrastructure, arts and culture. It is only applicable to foreign tourists.
-thestar online.

Pesta Wau Antarabangsa Kelantan 2018 @ Pantai Geting, Tumpat ( 2 ~ 4 Ogos 2018 )

-Tourism Malaysia.
http://tourism.kelantan.my/

DISINILAND, Taman Dekati Haiwan Liar


Taman haiwan berkonsepkan zoo mini, Disiniland Agrofarm & Resort di Batu Kurau dekat Selama, Perak cukup unik untuk dikunjungi, lebih-lebih lagi bagi mereka yang menyukai suasana hijau yang nyaman dan tenteram.

Keunikannya bukan sahaja terletak kepada namanya yang seakan-akan ‘Disneyland’ tetapi pengalaman yang bakal dinikmati pengunjung sebaik sahaja melangkah masuk ke kawasan seluas 2.4 hektar itu.

Meskipun bukanlah seperti sebuah zoo yang dipenuhi pelbagai spesies haiwan, tetapi Disiniland memberi pelbagai kelainan yang mampu menggamit pengunjung untuk datang lagi ke kawasan yang dikelilingi kehijauan itu.

Selain berpeluang dapat bermesra dan menyentuh binatang yang dipelihara di situ seperti rusa, kuda, unta dan arnab secara dekat, pengunjung juga boleh beriadah bersama keluarga.

Pemilik taman haiwan tersebut, Datuk Khairil Anuar Akhiruddin @ Tokyee berkata, taman haiwan itu pada mulanya dibina hanya sekadar untuk melayan hobi dan haiwan peliharaan keluarganya sahaja.

Bagaimanapun, Khairil Anuar berkata, idea membangunkan taman itu kemudiannya tercetus apabila keluarganya melihat sambutan yang menggalakkan daripada penduduk setempat.

“Kami sekeluarga memang tidak pernah merancang untuk buka Disiniland. Asalnya taman tema ini hanya untuk tempat percutian peribadi keluarga kerana kami suka suasana kampung.

“Namun lama-kelamaan keluarga saya mencadangkan untuk membuka taman tema ini kepada orang ramai kerana sambutan yang menggalakkan diterima daripada masyarakat setempat. Ramai yang suka datang melihat haiwan-haiwan di sini,” katanya.

Ketika ditanya mengapa memilih nama Disiniland, Khairil Anuar menjelaskan ia bertepatan dengan konsep yang ingin diketengahkan seperti Disneyland tetapi lebih kepada zoo mini.

Khairil Anuar memberitahu, setakat hari ini sebanyak 20 spesies haiwan antaranya kuda, unta, burung, rusa, arnab dan burung unta dipelihara di taman haiwan tersebut.

Tambah beliau, bagi spesies burung sahaja, pihaknya mempunyai 15 jenis spesies dan di Disiniland, pengunjung turut didedahkan dengan kehidupan haiwan secara dekat, selain berpeluang menyentuh dan bergambar dengan haiwan terlibat.

“Selain itu, di sini juga terdapat bermacam-macam aktiviti lain iaitu menunggang kuda, memanah, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV),memanah berkuda, memancing ikan dan melihat secara dekat haiwan seperti unta, rusa, burung unta dan lembu,” katanya.

Kata Khairil Anuar, binatang peliharaan di situ cukup manja dan mesra dengan orang ramai dan ini secara tidak langsung memudahkan pengunjung untuk menyentuh badan haiwan tersebut dan memberinya makan.

Tambahnya, Disiniland dibuka dari pukul 10 pagi hingga 6.30 petang pada hari biasa.

Manakala pada cuti umum atau hujung minggu pula, taman tersebut dibuka pada pukul 9.30 pagi hingga 5.30 petang.

Harga tiket masuk ke Disiniland bagi pengunjung berumur 13 hingga 59 tahun (RM4), manakala kanak-kanak berusia tiga hingga 12 tahun (RM2).

Selain itu, pihaknya turut mengenakan bayaran yang berpatutan bagi aktiviti menunggang kuda dan memancing ikan.

“Resort ini juga menyediakan inap desa yang memberi pengalaman serta suasana kampung kepada pengunjung berminat.

“Bagaimanapun ketika ini Disiniland ditutup untuk kunjungan orang ramai bagi kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan serta pengubahsuaian dan saya jangka, kerja-kerja ini akan selesai pada akhir tahun ini. Kita akan buka semula selepas ini,” katanya.


Sebarang maklumat lanjut mengenai Disiniland boleh didapati daripada laman sesawang di www.disiniland.com atau menghubungi talian 012-2481545.
-utusan online.

MATTA rolls out digital payment, fintech workshops for agents

The association is hoping to keep members abreast with digital payment solutions

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is conducting nationwide workshops on digital payment solutions and financial technologies to help members to stay competitive and penetrate further markets such as China, India and South-east Asia.

The association has engaged payment solution providers such as MPay (ManagePay), WeChat Pay and AliPay to talk to members in half- or full-day workshops, said secretary-general, Nigel Wong.

Wong explained: “Fintech and digital payment solutions can help users save money and lower their operational costs, as well as open up new opportunities for B2B and B2C businesses in emerging markets. For example MoneyMatch is a local Fintech company providing money transfer/exchange services that are helping agents save on international transactions. We want to help members to stay competitive and keep abreast with the times.”

Intent on continuing the educational process, the association is on the lookout for new technology providers to participate in future workshops.

For agents in the country, such education is key to catering to the growing number of clients opting for new payment modes.

Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager, New Asia Holidays Tours & Travel, said: “MATTA is going in the right direction of digital economy as there is still a section of industry players from yesteryears who are not yet into new technologies.


“About 30 to 50 per cent of FIT bookings I receive are made through Payment Gateway, PayPal and ePay. This percentage is growing. We cannot continue to do business without providing convenience to clients with the touch of a button.”
-TTG Asia.
https://www.matta.org.my/

Sunday 29 July 2018

#MMCelebrates @ Melawati Mall ( 19 July ~ 31 August 2018 )

We are ONE! And we would like to celebrate it together with some of our stores by giving you month-long promotions and discounts!

Don't forget to join #MMCelebrates Spend & Win contest for a chance to win a brand new Nissan X-Trail 2.5L when you spend RM500 and above!
-Melawati Mall facebook.
http://www.melawatimall.com

Saturday 28 July 2018

R&F Mall, JB to open in December


KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- R&F Princess Cove is set to open its first international shopping mall this December.

The three-storey shopping mall is located at the bund of Johor Bahru (JB), just 1,056 metres away from Singapore. It will feature international fashion, sports, casual and fine dining, kids zone, beauty and health, home living, its anchor premier supermarket - Jaya Grocer, and flagship cinema - Emperor Cinema, coming all the way from Hong Kong.

"R&F Mall is unique and totally different from any other shopping mall in the market. If you look at the design, it's the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor which gives you a new shopping experience," said R&F Princess Cove general manager, Hu Gang Zhi, in a statement today.

R&F Princess Cove is a new development that encapsulates the HOPSCA (hotels, offices, parks, shopping malls, clubhouses and apartments) Marina Living Concept - a first in Southeast Asia - aimed at providing an epitome of modern living.

R&F Mall, which broke the ground in 2017, has entered the final finishing stage and is getting ready to open its doors to shoppers. With its strategic location, the mall is just seven minutes' walk  from the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, where shoppers will be connected with a fully sheltered and guarded bridge.

"Our grand launch will be in December where you can expect fantastic Christmas decorations and celebration. We want shoppers to feel like they are overseas, just like walking at the bund in Shanghai!" said Hu.
-bernama.

Time for KL sites to get Unesco listing: mayor

Sultan Abdul Samad building has potential to be a Unesco heritage site.
— Photos: ART CHEN and LOW LAY PHON/The Star

KUALA Lumpur’s iconic Dataran Merdeka and the century-old Sultan Abdul Samad building have the potential to be under the Unesco World Heritage List.

Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka Square, as it is often referred to in tourist brochures, is the historic field where the Union Jack was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on Aug 31, 1957.

The Sultan Abdul Samad building on the other hand, located opposite Dataran Merdeka, is a late 19th-century building in Jalan Raja.

Constructed in 1894, the building with its Moghul and Moorish architecture, was designed by architects Arthur Charles Alfred Norman, Arthur Benison Hubback and Regent Alfred John Bidwell.

Amin Nordin said areas like Petaling Street also have potential due to the historical significance of its old temples, shophouses and associations that were steeped in history and over 100 years old.

He said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was in talks with Jabatan Warisan Negara (National Heritage Department) to make this happen.

Unesco World Heritage status is awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) and a site must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one of the 10 selection criteria to qualify to be listed.

A check on the Unesco website showed that as of this year, there are about 1,092 sites listed as world heritage: 845 cultural, 209 natural, and 38 mixed properties.

Italy, with 53, has the most number of Unesco World Heritage sites followed by China (52) and Spain (46). In Malaysia, Unesco only recognises five sites – Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak), Kinabalu Park (Sabah), Lenggong Valley archeological site (Perak) and the historical cities of Melaka and George Town (Penang).

Any application for Unesco listing must be made to the National Heritage Department.

Support for move
International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) Malaysia chairman Datuk Hajeedar Majid said the council has questioned why the Federal capital could not get the recognition when both Melaka and George Town were able to.

He added that Kuala Lumpur’s core teemed with history that goes back to the 18th and 19th centuries as seen in old shophouses, colonial buildings, and places of worship.

“We have been quite careless with our (buildings) in the past.
“There was loss of opportunities in the past, and the historic core of Kuala Lumpur has been redeveloped in an insensitive way,’’ he added.
Hajeedar, who is the former National Heritage Council chairman, elaborated that late 18th-century shoplots and early 19th-century shophouses have been redeveloped and the entire scale was not compatible anymore (with the old buildings).

“The old colonial buildings should have been declared heritage sites sooner. But having said that, it is not too late,’’ Hajeedar said.

“Historical areas can still be salvaged, but, it must be done with other pockets (of historical sites) such as Jalan Raja, Medan Pasar and Petaling Street area,’’ he said.

“The sites must be physically and visually linked with one another. But more importantly there must be political will for this to happen.

“We must push for this without fear or favour, Hajeedar said, adding that in the past efforts aimed at preserving historical sites had given in to political pressure.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun agrees that old areas like Jalan Tun H.S Lee, Medan Pasar and Petaling Street should be considered for the Unesco World Heritage status.

He said Petaling Street where the city’s Chinatown is located has more than 100 years of history with old temples that are easily over a century old.

“Petaling Street is unique and is one of the oldest areas in Kuala Lumpur that must be preserved.

“It is sad that Kuala Lumpur with its tin mining history and cultural significance is not part of the Unesco list.

Fong said the federal capital which prided itself on many sights connected with old buildings such as Masjid Jamek built in 1909, now known as Sultan Abdul 

Samad Jamek mosque, 124-year-old Taoist temple called Guan Di in Chinatown, and Hindu temples like the Sri Mahamariamman, founded in 1873, are not on the Unesco list.

He added that the Guan Di temple built in 1888 in the heart of Petaling Street is popular with tourists.

“When I was 12 years old, I used to come here all the time with my parents and I have always been fascinated with temples like the temple’s Dravidian architecture,” said Fong, 71.

“I also want to propose to DBKL to carry out heritage walks to educate tourists and locals on the history of the place,’’ he said.

He said after the last general election the government came down hard on Petaling Street traders for employing foreign workers to man their stalls.

“We cannot have that anymore. I have already warned the shop owners not to employ them,’’ he said.

“Petaling Street must remain authentic to its cultural history,’’ he said, adding that it would help to push for Unesco status or at least a national heritage status.


He said that he would seek a meeting with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi to lobby for Petaling Street to be a national heritage site.
-thestar online.

UNWTO launches website to mobilise sector towards sustainable development goals

Harnessing the potential of tourism, which makes up 10 per cent of world GDP, to advance SDGs

UNWTO has launched an online platform to better engage the tourism sector in the advancement towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the support of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Tourism4SDGs.org is a “co-creation space” that allows users to access a wide range of resources, add their own initiatives, findings and projects, motivate discussion and collaboration, and share content related to tourism and sustainable development.

“Tourism plays a vital role in many, if not all, of the 17 Goals”, said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili. “Tourism has come of age as a cross-cutting economic activity with deep social ramifications.”

Ambassador Raymund Furrer of SECO commented: “Switzerland strongly supports this platform as it will allow a focus on the three main components of sustainable tourism: its economic, environmental and social dimensions.”

Learn, Share and Act, the three levels of interaction at Tourism4SDGs.org, aim not only to educate but also to encourage conversation and collaboration towards a sustainable tourism sector.

The platform was launched during the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies’ in New York this month, during an event co-hosted by UNWTO and the One Planet network.


The 17 SDGs constitute a global agenda for people, planet, prosperity and peace through partnerships. The SDGs aim to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and solve climate change by 2030.
-TTG Asia.

Friday 27 July 2018

Avani to manage second Malaysia hotel in Kota Kinabalu

Artist impression of the hotel, located ‘steps away from’ Jalan Lintas


Come 4Q2021, Avani Kota Kinabalu Hotel is slated to open in the capital of Sabah as the brand’s second property in Malaysia.

A 20-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the new-build will form part of a mixed-use development with retail, office and condominium complex.

The 378-key hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant and a rooftop pool and bar, as well as 855m2 of meeting space.


Avani Hotels & Resorts currently operates 23 hotels and resorts in 15 countries, with 13 new hotels in the pipeline, including the latest signing in Melbourne, Dubai, and a third Avani property in Bangkok.
-TTG Asia.

Thursday 26 July 2018

Media Challenge 2.0 dalami sejarah Kesultanan Melayu Melaka

Peserta yang menyertai program Media Challenge 2.0 ketika
mengunjungi Muzium Kesultanan Melaka.-UTUSAN ONLINE

BANDAR HILIR 24 Julai - Program Media Challenge 2.0 yang disertai seramai 24 peserta daripada pelbagai agensi media diteruskan hari kedua dengan mengunjungi sebuah muzium terkemuka iaitu Muzium Kesultanan Melaka.

Ketibaan peserta sambut meriah dengan persembahan silat daripada Persatuan Cahaya D'elima, Perbadanan Muzium Melaka (Perzim).

Terdapat pelbagai barangan bersejarah dipamerkan di muzium berkenaan antaranya koleksi senjata lama pahlawan Melayu seperti keris dan meriam, koleksi pakaian tradisional dan replika seni bina istana lama Negeri-negeri Melayu.

Setiap barangan pameran itu dilampirkan dengan maklumat berkaitan sejarah pembinaannya untuk pengetahuan pengunjung tempatan dan luar negara.

Muzium yang panjang itu juga bukan sahaja menempatkan sejarah tentang negeri Melaka tetapi sejarah kebudayaan Melayu dari negeri lain dan yang paling menarik ialah apabila dapat melihat pelbagai potret lukisan dan diorama.

Replika Istana Kesultanan Melayu Melaka yang terletak di kaki Bukit St. Paul itu dibina semula berdasarkan catatan Sejarah Melayu yang menggambarkan keunikan seni bina Istana Melayu di zaman Sultan Mansur Shah yang memerintah dari 1456 hingga 1477.

Bangunan bersejarah itu menempuh fasa pembinaan selama dua tahun sebelum siap pada 1986 dengan seni binanya menggunakan hampir 80 peratus kayu di mana kayu cengal digunakan untuk tiang dan alang, kayu resak untuk lantai dan dinding serta kayu berlian untuk atap.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Komunikasi Korporat Tourism Malaysia, Abdul Rauf Abu Hassan berkata, kunjungan itu bertujuan memberikan pendedahan kepada peserta untuk mendalami sejarah kesultanan Melayu Melaka melalui aktiviti yang berkonsepkan keilmuan.

"Pada program ini, peserta juga berpeluang mengambil bahagian dalam permainan tradisional seperti congkak, capteh dan melempar tin," katanya kepada Utusan Online.

Program bersempena Hari Muzium Antarabangsa berlangsung selama tiga hari bermula semalam dengan menjelajah dua negeri iaitu Negeri Sembilan dan Melaka mengunjungi enam muzium iaitu Muzium Adat, Teratak Pepatih, Muzium Lukut, Muzium Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, Muzium Seni Bina Malaysia dan Encore Melaka.


Program tahunan itu merupakan anjuran Tourism Malaysia dengan kerjasama Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM) dan Perzim.
-utusan online.

Move to boost tourism in Pahang

Tourists enjoying the beauty of Taman Negara during a river cruise.
KUANTAN: The Pahang government will continue to promote tourism products in Kuala Tahan and Kuala Tembeling, which are the entry points to Taman Negara, said state Tourism, Environment, Plantation and Biotechnology Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin.

He said the move was taken because tourism activities in the two areas were badly affected by the massive floods in 2014.

He said among the worst affected were homestays, resorts and motels around Kuala Tahan and Kuala Tembeling, hence priority for repair and upgrading works should be at these places.


“For long-term planning, the state government will also collaborate with travel agents, boat operators at the national park, as well as the media to promote the two areas,” he said.
-bernama/thestar.

Wednesday 25 July 2018

Taman Etnobotani tarik pengunjung

TAMAN Mini Air Etnobotani di Taman Etnobotani, Gua Musang kini menjadi antara destinasi tumpuan pengunjung untuk beriadah bersama keluarga pada hari minggu dan cuti perayaan

GUA MUSANG 23 Julai - Taman Mini Air Etnobotani yang terletak di Taman Etnobotani di sini menjadi tempat tumpuan untuk mandi-manda serta berekreasi bersama keluarga.

Taman Mini Air yang diba­ngunkan oleh Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan (Kesedar) dengan kos RM800,000 telah dibuka sejak setahun lalu.

Seorang pengunjung Zailani Abdul Rahman, 36, berkata, taman yang dibina itu memberi kemudahan rekreasi untuk penduduk.

Katanya, pusat rekreasi itu dibuka setiap hari dan boleh memuatkan kira-kira 200 pengunjung dalam satu masa.

“Kita berbangga apabila penduduk Gua Musang mempunyai satu lagi kemudahan rekreasi untuk bersantai dan melakukan aktiviti bermanfaat bersama keluarga.

“Bayaran tiket adalah serendah RM2, RM3 dan RM5 kepada kanak-kanak serta golongan dewasa,” katanya di sini hari ini.

Antara kemudahan yang disediakan di taman air berkenaan ialah bilik persalinan, rumah pam, kaunter tiket dan wakaf.

Seorang lagi pengunjung, Suraini Mohd. Isa, 44, berkata, kemudahan terbaharu yang disediakan oleh pihak Kesedar kali ini agak menarik kerana seluruh ahli keluarga dapat bersantai bersama-sama.

Katanya, mereka juga tidak perlu berfikir untuk mencari lokasi riadah ketika cuti hari ming­gu atau persekolahan.

“Setiap petang kami tidak sabar untuk membawa anak-anak bermain di taman air ini kerana kemudahan yang disediakan juga menarik.


“Taman ini dibuka setiap hari bermula pukul 10 pagi hingga 7 petang. Kami juga tidak perlu menyediakan perbelanjaan yang banyak untuk membawa keluarga bersantai,” katanya.
-utusan online.

Tuesday 24 July 2018

Shopping centres, amusement parks and development draw the crowd

A family taking pictures at Legoland during a visit.

CONTRIBUTING over RM11.4bil to the tourism industry, Johor has several factors that made it possible to grab the number three spot, behind Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, in attracting tourists to Malaysia.

As the southernmost state in peninsular Malaysia, Johor’s location has made it accessible via land, sea and air.

Connected to the east and west coast of Singapore by land, the state also has 10 ferry terminals and international airports.

Senai International Airport provides flights to 11 domestic and seven international destinations such as Surabaya and Jakarta, Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand) and Guangzhou (China).

Besides accessibility, the state has the country’s biggest inventory of theme parks, with Legoland, Hello Kitty Town and Angry Birds Activity Park, to name a few.

“Johor was famous for being the gateway to Singapore but with the growth in tourism, we have achieved our share of popularity with the establishment of shopping outlets, amusement parks and skyscrapers,” said former Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

The attractions helped bring in 10 million tourists in 2016 compared to 3.9 million in 2012.

As Johor continues to draw tourists as well as investors to boost the state’s development, it is imperative that the contributions are recognised.

StarProperty.my Awards: Jewels of Johor is back for the second year to honour the industry key players.

The award aims to enhance the brand value of Johor’s property developers who have tirelessly worked to provide Johor with significant developments and infrastructure which contributed to the tourism industry.

Among the prominent developers who won during last year’s awards include EcoWorld Development with three excellence awards for their various projects, as well as Gamuda Land and Country Garden Danga Bay Sdn Bhd.

Ipark Development Sdn Bhd bagged the Best Industrial Park Development, while UMLand shined with its projects UMLand Seri Austin and Aster 2.

The registration for this year’s Jewels of Johor award is open now until tomorrow.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/JohorJewels2018.
-thestar online.
http://tourism.johor.my/

Tourism Malaysia Media Challenge 2.0 Explores Negeri Sembilan And Melaka


PUTRAJAYA, 23 JULY 2018: Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Department of Museums Malaysia, will organise the Tourism Malaysia Media Challenge 2.0 from 23 to 25 July 2018. This is the second time that both organisations are working hand in hand together to foster closer relationships between government agencies and the media through a unique and exciting challenge-type event coupled with product updates and information sharing.

This unique multi-party partnership between government agencies, media and the private sector is expected to bridge the gap between all parties in efforts to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination. 

This time, the “treasure hunt” programme leads participants to explore the museums in Negeri Sembilan and Melaka while experiencing several new tourism products in the two states. Participants will be taken to four different museums and several tourist attraction venues that offer great escapade and weekend outings for visitors or families alike.

A total of 24 representatives of various media from print, radio and television as well as online bloggers and journalists have signed up for the three-day challenge. It will see them compete in physical tasks, quizzes and other mind-boggling activities, while getting updates of new tourism developments. 

The programme kicks off in Putrajaya, with a first stop being made at Muzium Adat in JelebuNegeri Sembilan. This museum offers an insight into the unique Adat Pepatih practiced in the state, their special celebrations, traditions and government, among others.

Subsequently, the media teams will continue their explorations at Negeri Sembilan State Museum also known as Teratak Perpatih Located at the Craft & Cultural Complex in Jalan Sungai Ujung, its Minangkabau architecture strikes wonder among visitors and is an impressive treasure trove of historical and cultural artefacts. Visitors can admire its reputable Philately and Stamps gallery as well as handicrafts exhibits.

Later, participants will explore Lukut Museum that traces its importance back to early 19th century as the royal throne and a mining centre. It also emphasizes the importance of Lukut Fort as the once-great defensive architecture in 1847.

That evening, participants will witness the launch of International Museum Day at the National Independence Memorial in Banda Hilir.   

On the second day, participants will be ushered to Melaka Malay Sultanate Museum in the morning to continue with more challenges. Built in 1984, it is a reconstruction of the original palace of Sultan Mansur Shah (1456 – 1477) and is made in traditional Malay carpentry. Full of history and artefacts, the museum will also inspire all those interested in Malay traditional architecture.

Participants next proceed to Architecture Museum in Bandar Hilir to decipher more riddles and puzzles. This small 18th century Dutch building reveals the development of Malaysian architecture, including the typology, carvings and motifs, as well as the traditional tools and technology.

The day concludes with a sensational performance of Encore Melaka, the latest tourist attraction in Melaka which boasts of state-of-the-art technology and world-class artistic performances.  

Throughout the programme, media participants will also have a chance to experience the hospitality of Treasures Hotels and Suites where they are put up for two nights. 


The final day of the programme will see participants exploring The Orchard Wellness & Health Resort in Alor Gajah, a unique agro-resort concept focused on health and wellbeing. It will also be the venue of the prize-giving ceremony led by Director of Corporate Communication Division, Mr. Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof. 
-Tourism Malaysia.

Monday 23 July 2018

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark - A Splashing Great Time!

Don't miss this exciting roadshow happening in Johor!
MATTA Fair Johor Bahru (Danga Bay Convention Centre) from 3 - 5 August 2018.
-Desaru Coast.
https://desarucoast.com

NatGeo picks Sarawak as one of 2018’s best summer destinations

Gunung Mulu National Park is home to the Sarawak Chamber, the Deer Cave
and the Clearwater Cave. Photo: Sarawak Tourism Board

NatGeo has “Borneo” on its list. From the description, it seems like the destination chosen is actually Sarawak, and not the whole island of Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan, Brunei). Here’s the description from the NatGeo website (nationalgeographic.com):

“If you love pygmy elephants, glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, floating markets, secret gardens hidden in caves, and the rehabilitation of endangered orangutans – then Borneo is the summer trip for you. After a day of spelunking in Borneo’s Gunung Mulu National Park, visitors can stick around to observe the “Bat Exodus”, as over three million bats swoop into the fading sky from Deer Cave, the largest cave chamber on the planet. Borneo is also the place to spot Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, soft-shelled turtles, clouded leopards, the world’s longest insect, and 15,000 species of plants – including carnivorous pitcher plants; the famous corpse flower; and monster flowers, the largest known blossoms on the planet.”
 –Star2.

Sunday 22 July 2018

Kelip-kelip Kampung Sungai Timun tarikan pelancongan

AMINUDDIN HARUN (tiga dari kanan) dan Mohd. Aminuddin Mohd. Amin (dua kiri)
meninjau keadaan sungai semasa Majlis Mesra Aidilfitri TNB 2018
di Kampung Sungai Timun, Rembau hari ini. - UTUSAN ONLINE/ASWAD YAHYA

REMBAU 13 Julai - Lebih 100 penduduk Kampung Sungai Timun dekat di sini diraikan dalam Majlis Mesra Aidilfitri anjuran syarikat utiliti kebangsaan, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) di pekarangan jeti nelayan Pusat Pelancongan Kelip-Kelip kampung tersebut.

Majlis itu diserikan dengan kehadiran Menteri Besar, Aminuddin Harun; Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Dr. Razali Ab. Malik dan Pengurus Besar Kanan (Hal Ehwal Korporat) TNB, Datuk Ir. Mohd. Aminuddin Mohd. Amin.

Menurut Mohd. Aminuddin, majlis itu diadakan sempena penglibatan TNB sejak tahun lalu dalam projek memulihara serangga kelip-kelip sebagai anugerah alam yang unik di kawasan itu.

Katanya, projek itu adalah salah satu inisiatif di bawah tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR) syarikat utiliti itu di seluruh negara di bawah kategori pemuliharaan alam sekitar.

"TNB melalui anak syarikatnya, TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. telah memberikan komitmen untuk menjalankan kerja-kerja penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) di sepanjang Sungai Linggi di sini bagi memastikan kelip-kelip akan terus berkembang biak secara berterusan bagi tatapan generasi akan datang," katanya dalam ucapan pada majlis tersebut.

Sementara itu, Aminuddin menyambut baik dan mengalu-alukan usaha TNB itu dalam memulihkan anugerah alam yang tidak ternilai itu.


"Saya percaya hasil penyelidikan ini dapat didokumentasikan sebagai sumber ilmu pengetahuan selain berusaha menjadikan kelip-kelip sebagai satu tarikan hebat kepada sektor pelancongan di negeri ini," katanya.
-utusan online.

Carnival air at Selangor MATTA Fair

Syed Abdul Rahman (centre, in white shirt) together with (from left) Suria FM announcer Suraya Borhan, Tourism Selangor promotion and industry development manager Khuzaimah Jamaluddin, Borhanuddin, Shahrul Nizar, SriLankan Airlines Limited senior sales executive Mohd Razi Salleh, Tourism Malaysia Central Region assistant director Kevin Jantan Anak Robert Bidi and Mardi MAEPS Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Norafizah Rahman.

AT LEAST 65,000 people are expected to visit the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Selangor Carnival 2018 from July 27 to 29 at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), Selangor.

This time, Miss Universe Japan 2018, Yumi Kato, will make a special appearance and there will be exciting performances on stage by exhibitors such as Tourism Selangor and Legoland Malaysia throughout the three-day travel fair.

The carnival theme event will have affordable domestic and international travel and tour packages as well as food and activities for the whole family.

Spanning 80,000sq m of exhibition space in Hall D, the event will feature 150 booths by 35 international and local authorised travel agencies, state tourism organisations as well as hotel and theme park operators.

“Visitors will be thrilled with the low budget domestic travel packages that will be available at the carnival.

“Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari will launch the carnival on July 27,” he said.

He added that a minimum purchase of RM300 from the travel fair will entitle the buyer to enter a contest where they can win a business class ticket to Saigon, Vietnam, exclusively sponsored by Malaysia Airlines Bhd.

Tourism Selangor and Tourism Malaysia will have its own pavilion of 10 booths each.

There will be a section dedicated to children where they can have fun at the bouncy castle and merry-go-round.

MFSC 2018 will be open from 10am to 9pm.
Admission is free.


For details, visit MATTA Fair Selangor 2018 Facebook page or official Instagram account @matta_selangor or www.mattafair.org.my
-thestar online.