Geran Sokongan Pelancongan, Seni & Budaya (GSPSB)

Sila layari https://www.tourism.gov.my/files/uploads/GSPSB.pdf

-Tourism Malaysia.

Backyard Travel’s new tour spotlights “hidden” gems of Northern Malaysia

Backyard Travel launches 12-day Northern Malaysia tour, which includes a tour of George Town; Cathedral of the Assumption in George Town, Penang pictured

Backyard Travel, an online boutique tour operator specialising in insider tours throughout Asia, has launched a new tour package offering an adventure into the northern islands, cities and rainforests of Malaysia.

The 12-day Jungles and Gems of Northern Malaysia tour begins in the foodie destination of Penang, with two days immersed in the colourful culture of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The itinerary also takes guests to Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak, to explore the majestic sultan’s palace and visit local workshops; as well as Lenggong Valley, another UNESCO site, to experience cultural activities and an overnight homestay, as well as a night trek along the jungle trails of Belum Rainforest Rainforest.

The last four days of the tour will be spent relaxing on the shores of Malaysia’s beaches.

During the East-West Monsoon (from March to October), the journey continues to the remote and largely undeveloped Perhentian Islands in the South China Sea.

From October to March, in the dry, cool season, the tour heads to Langkawi in the Andaman Sea.

Backyard Travel general manager Trystan Trestchenkoff said: “Peninsula Malaysia is full of cultural and natural treasures to discover, yet it’s still quite unknown on a global scale. This tour provides a look at the little ‘hidden’ treasures of the region, from fascinating UNESCO sites to breathtaking tropical islands.”

-TTG Asia.

6 Reasons why you need to be at the ARRC2020 season opener @ Sepang International Circuit ( 7 ~ 8 March 2020 )

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will kick start its 25th season this March 7 and 8 at the Sepang International Circuit. Here’s what you can expect from the season opener:

1. THE BIGGEST, BADDEST, FIERCEST AND MOST UNPREDICTABLE RACING

This one’s for all you bike lovers as the BMW S1000 RR defends its Asian title against the determined onslaught from the Ducati Panigale V4 R, the Honda CBR1000 RR R Fireblade, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR and of course the Yamaha YZF-R1M. Here are the bikes competing in the weekend so far:

ASB1000 – THE BIGGEST

The battle ground for the biggest names in Asian motorsports. Watch as defending champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman goes toe to toe against rivals like Zaqhwan Zaidi, Broc Parkes, Yuki Ito, Federico Sandi, Markus Reiterberger, Thitipong Warokorn, Apiwath Wongthananon and so much more.

SS600 – THE BADDEST

The bad boys of Asian motorsports race here. Ratthapong Wilairot and Ahmad Yudhistira are setting the stage for a showdown in the 600cc class against upcoming young talents like Azroy Hakeem Anuar. Watch out for Muklada Sarapuech, the first female rider to race full season in the 600cc class!

AP250 – THE FIERCEST

Fierce competition is a daily affair in the Asia Production 250cc. Expect some phenomenal racing from the 23 riders confirmed on the grid to date.

UB150 – THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE

Not even the most seasoned Underbone analyst would dare to bet on the outcome of an Underbone race where close contact racing is de rigueur. Leads change at every corner as the Super Cubs strut their stuff on the tarmac.

2. NO TICKETS; NO PARKING FEES; NO FUSS – FREE GRANDSTAND ACCESS FOR SPECTATORS

Catch all the racing action at the Sepang International Circuit without worrying about tickets and parking charges. The gates to the grandstand will be open to the public on March 7 and 8. Simply walk in, and enjoy!

3. SPECIAL PARKING PRIVILEGES FOR BIKES AND CONVOYS

It’s a bike fest, so it’s only right that bikers enjoy some special privileges. A segment of the mall area will be cordoned off and converted into a secured motorcycle parking zone. This is where your bike needs to see and be seen!

4. HAPPY BAG CAMPAIGN – STAND A CHANCE TO RIDE HOME WITH A BRAND NEW HONDA RS150 OR YAMAHA Y15

You could be one of two lucky winners to ride home with either a brand new Honda RS150 or a Yamaha Y15.

All you have to do, to take part in the lucky draw, is to spend RM50 on a Happy Bag. What’s inside the Happy Bag? A bottle of Idemitsu 10W-40 motorcycle lubricant and a limited edition 25th Anniversary ARRC T-Shirt. The contents of the Happy Bag are worth up to RM100.

5. PITWALK – GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL TO THE COLOURFUL PERSONALITIES IN THE ASIAN PADDOCK

The race schedule on Sunday (March 8) will feature an hour-long pitwalk where race fans and the race fraternity can hang out together. Grab your favourite rider for a selfie, pick up team memorabilia and other small momentos, pick up an autograph or two.

6. 12 COUNTRIES; 80 RIDERS; DIVERSE RACE CLASSES; NON-STOP RACING

From Underbone to Superbikes, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has it all. Catch the excitement live and in person at the Sepang International Circuit as the best riders from 12 countries battle it out for the first win of the season.

-http://asiaroadracing.com

Tourism Malaysia Joins Forces With Qatar Airways To Woo Qatari Market

DOHA, 23 FEBRUARY 2020: Organised in partnership with Qatar Airways, Tourism Malaysia led a delegation to Qatar, with the aim to further strengthen Malaysia’s appeal as a preferred travel destination in the Gulf nation in a roadshow leading to Saudi’s premier travel and trade event, the Jeddah International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (JTTX) 2020 from 26 to 28 February. 

Led by Mr. Shahrin Bin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia in the Dubai office; the delegation comprised of 5 organisations from hotels and travel agents, tourism product owners, as well as representatives from Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Penang Global Tourism and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). The group met with local industry representatives with the goal of promoting Malaysia’s tourism offerings and highlighting the latest attractions ahead of the upcoming holiday seasons. 

The roadshow began with a B2B event, which was held in Westin Doha on 23 February 2020. The exchange session kicked off with a tabletop discussion and received great response from relevant trade and travel representatives. The event was also graced with the official visit by Mr. Mohamad Shahir Bin Sabarudin, the Malaysian embassy official in Doha, with the hope to further develop the goodwill between Malaysia and Qatar. Attendees then enjoyed presentations by Qatar Airways, MHTC and Penang Global Tourism, who showcased the diverse range of exciting experiences available to travellers in the country, before breaking for lunch and networking opportunities. 

“The Gulf Cooperation Council or the GCC represents a land of opportunity for the Malaysian tourism industry, and we are delighted to visit Qatar to showcase our impressive line-up of tourism offerings to the local travel trade,” said the Malaysian embassy official when commenting on the importance of the Qatari market.

“As a Muslim-majority country, our shared cultural ties make Malaysia one of Southeast Asia’s most visitor-friendly destinations for travellers from the Middle East. We are confident that this roadshow will further strengthen business ties and inspire more people here to discover our wonderful country,” he commented further.

The Middle East is seen as a key market for Malaysia, which was named the number one destination for Muslim travellers for nine consecutive years (2011–2019) by Singapore-based CrescentRating, the world's leading authority on Halal Travel. Total tourist arrivals from West Asia stood at 309,224 in 2019 where the Qatari market recorded a number of 4,089 tourists.

The Doha roadshow offered the Malaysian delegation an opportunity to highlight the country’s visitor attractions, including Langkawi, a beautiful island renowned for its breathtaking beaches and lush greenery. Some of the island’s wonders include its soaring peaks with sweeping vistas, as well as its iconic cable car that traverses old rocks of over 550 million years.

In terms of accessibility, Qatar Airways currently operates 21 flights from Kuala Lumpur to Doha, four flights from Penang to Doha and five flights from Langkawi to Doha per week. Together, the flights have the capacity to cater to more than 9,000 passengers weekly. 

This roadshow in Doha is designed to support the objectives of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, which aims to attract more than 30 million tourists and approximately KD 7.4 billion (RM100 billion) in tourist receipts.

-Tourism Malaysia.

MYEXPERIENCE Tawar 500 Pakej Niche Pelancongan Sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 FEBRUARI 2020 – Tourism Malaysia telah melancarkan ‘PAKEJ MYexperience SEMPENA VISIT MALAYSIA 2020’ bertempat di Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail, World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Objektif utama pelancaran ini adalah untuk meningkatkan promosi produk-produk pelancongan minat khas (niche product) melalui pengumpulan 500 pakej-pakej niche yang komprehensif di dalam terbitan booklet MYexperience. Booklet ini telah dikemaskini dan ditambah nilai dengan penglibatan 109 pengusaha-pengusaha pelancongan berdaftar yang mempromosi pakej-pakej yang menarik untuk Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2020. Ia diharap dapat menarik minat pelancong tempatan dan juga pelancong antarabangsa.

Majlis pelancaran ini diserikan dengan aktiviti-aktiviti bercorak interaktif dan berinformasi sepanjang program berlangsung. Dianggarkan kehadiran seramai 200 jemputan yang terdiri daripada organisasi kerajaan dan swasta, pihak universiti awam dan swasta, serta pihak industri pelancongan.

“Pelancaran booklet MYexperience ini tepat pada masanya dan sangatlah bersesuaian bagi menggalakkan percutian domestik di kalangan penduduk Malaysia,” ulas YB. Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi, Menteri Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia. Jelas menteri itu lagi, Pakej Myexperience juga selari dengan inisiatif ‘quick win’ dalam menangani industri pelancongan negara yang turut terkesan susulan daripada krisis COVID-19 yang ketara di peringkat global.

Pakej Myexperience ini boleh diperolehi melalui www.malaysia.travel dan vm2020.malaysia.travel selain dari laman sesawang setiap agensi pelancongan yang terlibat. Tempoh sah laku pakej yang ditawarkan adalah sehingga penghujung Disember 2020. Pakej-pakej yang ditawarkan meliputi 23 segmen termasuklah pelancongan sukan, pelancongan ekologi, pelancongan perubatan atau kesihatan, pelancongan pendidikan, pelancongan gastronomi, pelancongan berasaskan gaya hidup serta membeli-belah.

-Tourism Malaysia.
http://ebrochures.malaysia.travel/

Tourism Malaysia Dan Firefly Bergabung Untuk Kempen VM2020

SUBANG, 17 FEBRUARI 2020: Subang Skypark hari ini menyaksikan kerjasama Tourism Malaysia dan Firefly, dalam pelancaran logo (livery) VM2020 dan pakej pelancongan ‘The Best of Langkawi Discovery’. YB. Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi, Menteri Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia (MOTAC), hadir merasmikan pelancaran tersebut, disertai Dato’ Dr. Noor Zari Hamat, Ketua Setiausaha MOTAC, Datuk Musa Yusof, Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia, serta CEO Firely Encik Philip See.

Kempen ini menyaksikan paparan logo VM2020 pada badan pesawat Firefly, serta info produk pelancongan pelbagai negeri pada ruang simpanan atas serta tempat hidangan dalam pesawat. Selain itu, hiasan dalaman yang ceria dan berwarna-warni turut ditambah pelbagai imej makanan, budaya, pantai, eko-pelancongan, seni dan pemandangan indah Malaysia.

Kesemua paparan visual itu diharap dapat menyemarakkan kempen VM2020 untuk pasaran domestik dan ASEAN, serta menarik minat generasi muda untuk menghargai produk pelancongan domestik.

Menurut Datuk Musa, kempen ini juga merupakan salah satu program dan strategi Quick Win oleh Tourism Malaysia untuk menangani isu wabak Covid-19. “Adalah diharap, melalui polisi, dasar dan program kerajaan, ditambah inisiatif dan tawaran pihak swasta, ia akan disokong pula di peringkat pengguna iaitu rakyat Malaysia,” ulas beliau, supaya rakyat Malaysia dapat menggunakan faedah ini untuk melancong dalam negara.

Selain paparan logo dan imej, Firely turut menawarkan potongan diskaun 30% untuk para pelancong menikmati pelbagai pakej pelancongan yang menarik. Pakej ke destinasi unggul Pulau Langkawi menjadi pembuka tirai tawaran Firefly dengan tempoh tempahan bermula pada 17 Februari hingga 13 Mac 2020, sementara tempoh perjalanan adalah sehingga 30 Jun 2020. Terdapat 70 buah hotel terlibat di Langkawi, dengan baucar penginapan percuma, aktiviti island-hopping dan tiket ke Crocodile Adventureland ada ditawarkan.

“Firefly berbangga menjadi sebahagian daripada inisiatif pelancongan negara, terutamanya kempen VM2020. Firefly kini menyediakan khidmat kepada pasaran khas dengan memenuhi kehendak pelancong tempatan dan antarabangsa dari segi kemudahsampaian dan kos penerbangan yang berpatutan. Tambahan pula, pelancongan domestik merupakan gaya melancong terbaharu kepada generasi millennial dan penggemar makanan (foodie) yang gemar melawat dan menikmati pelbagai juadah serta budaya nasional yang rencam,” kata Encik Philip See.

Pakej ‘The Best of Langkawi Discovery’ dengan 6 tonggak itu menyasarkan supaya pelancong mendapat kepuasan berganda melalui aspirasi "See It, Hear It, Sense It, Feel It, Touch It, Taste It" dan dijangka akan dapat merancakkan pelancongan domestik, serta mengimbangi penurunan kedatangan pelancong antarabangsa.

Selepas Langkawi, kerjasama Tourism Malaysia dengan Firefly ini akan menyaksikan pelbagai pakej destinasi lain akan ditawarkan sepanjang tahun ini dengan tawaran menarik dan berpatutan kepada pelanggan.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia Airlines Launches Inaugural Flights to Kertajati

CEO of Amal by Malaysia Airlines, Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin; Head of Sub Division for Standardization of Aviation Safety, Dwi Apriyanto as well as senior local Indonesian government officers at Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural flight ceremony at West Java International Airport, Kertajati.

KLIA, 14 February 2020: Malaysia Airlines yesterday launched its inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Kertajati-Kuala Lumpur service, being the first Malaysian carrier to fly direct to Indonesia’s second-largest airport, West Java International Airport, Kertajati.

Located in Majalengka regency in West Java province, Kertajati is a strategic gateway for Malaysia Airlines passengers from across the world to explore deeper into Indonesia’s iconic destinations.

To commemorate the new service, an event was held in Kertajati graced by CEO of Amal by Malaysia Airlines, Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin; Head of Sub Division for Standardization of Aviation Safety, Dwi Apriyanto; Public Information and Communication Bureau of Ministry of Transportation, Republic Indonesia, Sutriyono as well as senior local Indonesian government officers.

Flight MH845 departed Kuala Lumpur on 13 February 2020 at 6.20 pm and arrived in Kertajati at 7.45 pm. The return flight MH844 departed Kertajati at 8.25 pm and arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 12.10 am the next day.

Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Captain Izham Ismail said, “We are delighted to add Kertajati to Malaysia Airlines’ network as it provides greater connectivity between Indonesian cities to the rest of our network. This provides opportunities for our passengers to experience the beautiful attractions that Kertajati has to offer. At the same time, we are also able to play our part in supporting economic growth and tourism in West Java.

Also in line with our Fly Malaysia campaign, this service will further support the Visit Malaysia 2020, encouraging visitors to explore Malaysia’s natural attractions and iconic landmarks suitable for a long vacation or a short stopover. 

Besides leisure travel, this connectivity provides a choice for passengers to travel to Malaysia for business or to seek premium healthcare services in Malaysia. Kertajati marks Malaysia Airlines’ seventh destination in Indonesia, further reaffirming our longstanding relationship with our ASEAN neighbour, the Indonesian government,” added Captain.

The twice-weekly service is operated by the B737-800 aircraft with a passenger capacity of 160 seats, comprising 16 Business Class seats and 144 Economy Class seats.

Malaysia Airlines currently connects Kuala Lumpur to six other Indonesian destinations – Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bali, Pekanbaru, and Solo.

-Malaysia Airlines.

36 International Media Ready For Travel And Adventure In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, 13 FEBRUARY 2020: A total of 36 international media from 11 countries are in Malaysia to participate in Mega Familiarisation Programme (Mega Fam) organised by Tourism Malaysia. The programme themed “It’s Summertime in Malaysia in conjunction with PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart” is scheduled to be held from 11 to 15 February 2020.

Mega Fam is designed as part of the effort to boost the promotion of Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, which aims to achieve 30 million international tourist arrivals and RM100 billion tourist receipts.

During the programme, the group will get a first-hand feel of the attractiveness of Malaysia through various adventure activities, as well as other tourism products such as culture, heritage and ecoadventure. The participants will experience and be exposed to Sabah’s cultural activities at Mari-Mari Cultural Centre, rural tourism products at Tagal Tinopikon Park, white water rafting in Kiulu and Klias River Fireflies Safari Cruise.

This programme aims to show Tourism Malaysia’s commitment to promote Malaysia’s destinations throughout 2020 despite the global pandemic.

“We would like to assure international tourists that Malaysia is taking greater measures in containing the situation that is faced globally,” said the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Musa Hj. Yusof.

Sabah, home to the Kinabalu Park which is renowned as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, had been chosen as the destination for this Mega Fam programme and PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart. The diversity of its culture owing to its 33 ethnicities who speak in different languages offers a truly unique experience especially to those who are not accustomed to a colourful multicultural society. Apart from cultural, nature and adventure destination, Sabah is famous for its exotic marine life that attracts divers and wedding planners from all over the world.

Mega Fam is specially tailored to attract families, single ladies and young travellers to experience Sabah. This is part of the quick-win recovery strategy to build confidence for domestic travellers as well international tourists to travel to Malaysia. International media who participate in this programme are hoped to gain more knowledge about the attractions that Malaysia has to offer and promote Malaysia in their respective countries.

The programme receives a total participation of 36 international media hailing from 11 countries namely Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and United Arab Emirates. Two media representatives from Malaysia are also taking part in the programme.

Background:

The Malaysia Mega Familiarisation Programme is one of Tourism Malaysia’s key marketing initiatives. It is organised with the support from local and foreign airlines, Malaysian hotels, state governments, tourism products and shopping complexes. Through this programme, participants are given a personal experience of the myriad attractions, tourist destinations, and products and services in Malaysia and inspire and encourage them to package and write amazing stories on the country as a preferred destination for leisure and business.

In 2019, a total of 145 guests from 31 countries participated in seven Malaysia Mega Familiarisation Programmes that generated commercial value estimated to be worth RM12 million.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Getting Ahead Of The Curve At The PATA Adventure Travel Conference And Mart 2020

KOTA KINABALU, 13 FEBRUARY 2020 - The PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart 2020 began on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, with 107 international delegates from 30 countries in attendance for the three-day niche event, comprising a one-day-travel mart and one-day conference.

The event, which was organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and hosted by Tourism Malaysia and supported by Sabah Tourism and Malaysia Airlines, brought together international experts at the forefront of the adventure travel industry to explore the nuances, trends and dynamics of one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors.

On Thursday, February 13, delegates will hear from a diverse line-up of speakers at the one-day conference under the theme ‘Ahead of the Curve: Authenticity and Sustainability in Adventure’. The innovators and pioneers, who are shaping the emerging landscape of the adventure travel industry, will examine various conference topics that cover ‘State of Adventure Tourism’, ‘Who Are Our Adventure Tourists?’, ‘Creating Meaningful Adventures’, ‘Sustainable Elephant Experiences’, ‘How to Use Responsible Travel Initiatives to Attract Adventure Tourists’, and ‘Starting Small: How to Integrate Adventure Elements into Your Tour.’

This year’s conference programme also features two concurrent hands-on workshops on Sustainability and Authenticity, led by Eric Ricaurte, Founder & CEO of Greenview and Dan Moore, CEO of Pandion Consulting & Facilitation, respectively.

The conference will be opened by YB Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi, Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia.

“We are very pleased to be given the honour to host PATA this year, whose theme ‘Authenticity and Sustainability in Adventure’ is in line with our aspirations to highlight Malaysia’s outdoor and adventure attractions to cater to the growing adventure tourism market while adhering to responsible travel initiatives,” commented the Minister.

Other confirmed speakers include Graham Harper, Director - Sustainability & Social Responsibility, PATA; Irshad Mubarak, Owner, Junglewalla Tours; Jessica Yew, Co-Founder & Director, Sticky Rice Travel; Natasha Martin, Adventure Tourism Expert; Pakkanut Bansiddhi, DVM, MSc, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Companion Animals and Wildlife Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University; Raj Gyawali, Founder, Socialtours, and Theerapat Trungprakan, President, Thai Elephant Alliance Association.

“The event aims to be a catalyst for generating new ideas and improving collaboration between public and private sector organisations,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “By bringing together such a dynamic and diverse group of speakers, we hoped to highlight the need to discuss, analyse and share various ideas with both the public and private sector in planning, building and promoting a responsible travel and tourism industry,” he added.

The B2B trade mart on Friday, February 14 will welcome 65 sellers from 51 organisations and 46 buyer organisations.

Presentations and photos from the event will be made available at www.PATA.org/ATCM.

-Tourism Malaysia.

MATTA fair goes local in April

photo: MATTA Fair KL

KUALA LUMPUR: A first-ever domestic version of the popular MATTA fair will be held in April to encourage local tourism following a decrease in tourist arrivals from China.

Billed as MATTA Fair Cuti-Cuti Malaysia, it will take place on April 4 and 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“Over 200 operators will offer various packages with great discounts during the inaugural exhibition, ” said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.

He said holidaymakers could expect a great variety of tour packages featuring new destinations.

“The local fair will focus on new and niche products that Malaysians may not be aware of, specially designed for those travelling as groups or family, as well as single and younger travellers who are more adventurous.

“We are working with our airlines and hotel partners to come up with deals combining more variety and cheaper fares and lodging for travellers, ” he told The Star yesterday.

He said some of the niche tours or packages would even allow travellers to get their hands dirty while enjoying the sights and sounds of the destination.

Tan made the announcement on MATTA Fair Cuti-Cuti Malaysia at a press conference yesterday.

With the current consumer sentiment, he said it was the best time to hold a new MATTA Fair exclusively for domestic tourism for service providers to switch focus from inbound to the domestic market.

“The government has taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus in the country.

“Staging a successful local travel fair is the best testament that Malaysia is safe for all visitors, instead of being fixated on the negative and false news, causing fear that spreads faster than the virus, ” he added.

As the biannual Kuala Lumpur MATTA Fair had been deferred from March to May 1-3 in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the domestic travel fair is aimed at boosting the domestic tourism industry following the high number of tour cancellations.

Since the outbreak, Tan said more than 95,000 hotel room bookings had been cancelled, mostly by Chinese tourists, amounting to almost RM40mil in losses.

“As the previous MATTA fairs usually raked in between RM40mil and RM50mil in sales of domestic fares, MATTA is hoping to retain half of the figures with about 30 million travellers expected.

“Also, the tour packages offered during the local travel fair will appeal greatly to citizens of Asean countries, as South-East Asians cover 69% of foreign tourist arrivals to Malaysia, ” he added.

Calling on the government to hasten its implementation of a series of stimulus measures that were proposed by MATTA, Tan said the flexibility given to tourism industry players and workers in terms of taxes and statutory deductions would result in a positive chain effect.

“Many towns and cities in the country have become quiet. We need the government to act quickly to focus on measures to offset the adverse effects and also to work towards recovery, ” he said.

-thestar online.

Majlis Rumah Terbuka Tahun Baharu Cina 2020 @ Padang Kota Lama, Penang ( 15 Februari 2020 )

Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya dengan kerjasama Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang mengadakan Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia (MRTM) Tahun Baharu Cina 2020 seperti berikut:

Tarikh : 15 Februari 2020 (Sabtu)
Masa : 10.30 pagi hingga 11.30 malam
: 8.30 malam (acara rasmi)
Tempat: Padang kota lama penang, George Town, Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

Pelbagai aktiviti menarik seperti pesta makanan tempatan ala Food Truck Penang, demonstrasi masakan dan penyediaan kuih kapit, kuih bangkit Cina, kuih bakul/bakul goreng, kuih bahulu dan penyediaan makanan khas tradisional sempena Tahun Baharu Cina iaitu “Yee Sang”. Persembahan Tahun Baharu Cina turut diadakan selain program sisipan dan demonstrasi interaktif.

Orang ramai digalakkan menggunakan pengangkutan awam khususnya Pengguna KTM Komuter Utara dan bas Rapid Penang ke tapak acara.

Terbuka kepada semua, jumpa anda disana!

ATUR CARA MAJLIS:

10.30 pagi – 6.30 petang - PROGRAM SISIPAN / DEMOSNTRASI
- Persembahan Sisipan Sambutan Tahun Baharu Cina
- Pameran dan Demonstrasi Interaktif Makanan & Tradisi sempena Tahun Baharu Cina

6.30 petang - JAMUAN RAKYAT

8.30 malam - 10.30 malam - SAMBUTAN TRADISI | Tahun Baharu Cina 2020

- TANDA PELANCARAN | Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia Tahun Baharu Cina 2020

- UCAPAN | Pemimpin Negara

- PERSEMBAHAN KHAS | Tahun Baharu Cina 2020

10.30 malam – 11.30 malam - KONSERT | Tahun Baharu Cina 2020

-MOTAC.

Hari Kraf Kebangsaan 2020 @ Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Conlay ( 26 Februari ~ 9 Mac 2020 )

Dimaklumkan Hari Kraf Kebangsaan 2020 akan diadakan seperti dibutiran berikut:

                           

Tarikh  :   26 Februari – 9 Mac 2020

Masa    :   10.00 pagi hingga 10.00 malam

Tempat:   Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Conlay.

-Kraftangan Malaysia.

Meet & Greet with PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team Riders ( 8 February 2020 )

Meet & Greet with PETRONAS SRT Riders

Happening this Saturday 8 February at 6:30pm!

How to join?

1. Purchase Any 2020 MalaysianGP Grandstand Tickets during Sepang Official Test Week

2. Meet 'The Man' at Tunnel 1 Entrance at Main Grandstand 5:50pm and present your proof of purchase

THIS IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS - LIMITED TO 100 TICKETHOLDERS

Terms & Conditions Apply* https://bit.ly/3bjfWr8

-Sepang Circuit.

MATTA Fair deferred from March to May

http://www.mattafair.org.my/

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has deferred the MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur to May owing to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) crisis affecting the economies in the region.

Its president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the decision was made following adverse effects of recent travel bans and negative public perception due to indiscriminate social media postings of the outbreak on the nation’s tour and travel trade.

“Discussions with industry partners both locally and abroad, coupled with events that are unfolding in the travel space, have resulted in weak forward booking trends by customers who are preferring to delay making travel plans until the current global situation shows signs of returning to normalcy,” he said in a statement issued late yesterday.

The MATTA Fair was scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15 but will now be held from May 1 to 3 at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Meanwhile, Tan said the decision to defer the travel fair had received support and encouragement from exhibitors, sponsors and trade partners despite the inconvenience.

“Even now the team is working very hard with industry partners to put together irresistible travel deals in anticipation of a bounce-back.

“History has shown that our travel industry has proven to be very resilient and that Malaysians are an adventurous and hardy lot who won’t stop travelling,” added Tan.

More than 200 exhibitors, ranging from national tourism organisations, state tourism offices, travel agencies, airlines, theme parks, cruise lines and hotels have registered their participation in the MATTA Fair.

MATTA is also looking into other exciting initiatives to satisfy Malaysians’ love for travel even during this difficult period in time.

The public can visit and follow it on the official MATTA Fair Facebook account @mattafairkualalumpur and official Twitter account @MATTA_FAIR to receive the latest updates.

-thestar online.

Malaysia Appeals To The Phillippine Market At The Travel Tour Expo 2020 In Manila

MANILA, 7 FEBRUARY 2020: Tourism Malaysia is leading a delegation to promote Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) campaign at the27^thTravel Tour Expo (TTE) from 7 to 9 February 2020 held at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

TTE, organised by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), is one of Philippine’s premier travel and tourism events held annually to facilitate exhibitions by the industry players showcasing latest offers in the travel industry. It is estimated that over 400 tourism stakeholders worldwide will be participating this year, who will be offering a variety of travel packages to approximately 135,000 visitors.

The Malaysian delegation consists of airline companies, hotel and travel agencies namely Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) as the Official Airline Partner, AirAsia Philippines, Hibiscus Travel & Tours, D’Mart Travel & Tours, Amar Travel & Tours, Borneo Trails Tours & Travel, De Voyager Global Tours and MyHotel Group. 

The delegation will promote their latest tourism products to appeal to the Philippine market especially for VM2020.

Aside from the promotion of products at the Malaysian Pavilion, Tourism Malaysia is organising a series of programmes including hosting a cocktail reception for 80 invitees from the Philippine’s media industry and facilitating B2B meetings between buyers and sellers. A seminar for selected tour operators will be held for Malaysian sellers to present their products and services on the second day of the event. To entice visitors at the expo, cultural performances featuring Malaysia’s colourful and diverse ethnicities are also scheduled daily throughout the event.

This promotional effort is expected to increase the number of Philippine tourists to Malaysia significantly, through promoting greater awareness of Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination, as well as fostering greater cooperation between Malaysian tour operators and the Philippines tourism industry. 

Philippines is one of the top ten markets for Malaysia, with a total of 421,908 tourists recorded in 2019 which is a 6.6% growth compared to the same period in 2018. Malaysia hopes to welcome 510,650 tourists from Philippines as part of the 30 million arrivals targeted for VM2020.

-Tourism Malaysia.

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team Launch 2020 Campaign

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team is excited to start its 2020 MotoGP World Championship campaign with riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo unveiling their 2020 Yamaha YZR-M1 at the team’s home, Sepang International Circuit, on the eve of the official pre-season test at the world-renowned venue. 

Franco and Fabio were joined by Team Principal, and Sepang International Circuit CEO, Razlan Razali, Team Director, Johan Stigefelt and Team Manager, Wilco Zeelenberg, Khairul Hisham Hj Mazlan, Head, Brand Management, Group Strategic Communications PETRONAS, General Manager of Motorsports Development Division & President of Yamaha Motor Racing, Hiroshi Ito and Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director & Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal, Lin Jarvis.

After a stellar rookie season in 2019, PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team is eager to build on its foundations as the first-ever Malaysian team in MotoGP. 

Last year saw the team become Top Independent Team, finishing fourth in the overall team standings, with rider Fabio Quartararo taking the Rookie of the Year title and Top Independent Rider.

2018 Rookie of the Year Franco Morbidelli and 2019 Rookie of the Year Fabio Quartararo both enter their second season with the squad, eager to deliver even stronger results than those seen last year. The MotoGP team has continuity of personnel in support of the riders.

Featuring an updated look with the latest PETRONAS branding, the team’s Yamaha YZR-M1 will be in Factory-spec for Fabio - who is set to join the factory Yamaha team in 2021 - and A-spec for Franco for the season ahead.

2020 also marks the second year of PETRONAS as the team’s title partner. The impressive results achieved by the team last season are a testament to the Malaysian energy company’s Fluid Technology Solutions that have powered PYSRT to and six pole positions and seven podiums in its rookie year.

Not present in Sepang, the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Moto2 and Moto3 squads will take part in a private test next week (Feb 10-11) ahead of the official test in Jerez the following week (19-21). 

-www.sepangracingteam.com

PETRONAS LTdL 2020: Off To A Colourful Start

KOTA KINABALU, 5 Feb – THE 25th edition of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi got off to a colourful start with the official introduction of all participating teams in a customary Team Presentation ceremony here tonight. 

All 21 teams, made up of 1 UCI World Team, 5 Pro teams, 14 Continental and one national team representing Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oceania were presented in the ceremony, held at Padang Merdeka for the first time in the Tour’s history.

The Tour makes its return to Sabah and Sarawak after a long hiatus, setting another milestone with a new status as a ProSeries race. This year’s edition also coincides with the race’s silver jubilee celebration.

The cycling extravaganza begins tomorrow here with the 90km-Malaysian International Criterium race, ahead of the race proper which begins with Stage 1 in Kuching on 7 February (Friday).

Prime Minister YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was not present at the ceremony but gave his words of encouragement to participants, officials and the race entourage via a 3-minute and 15 seconds video message.

“As much as I’m not here physically, I'll be following the race closely. I promise to see all of you in the final stage in Langkawi,” said Tun Mahathir in reference to the Stage 8 finale in Langkawi scheduled on February 14.

The Prime Minister reiterated that this year’s PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi is indeed a special event which everybody can be proud of, urging “those involved in the organization of the race” to strive for new milestones and achievement.

“It is my fervent hope that we can elevate Le Tour de Langkawi from a prestigious cycling event into a race with a strong identity and brand that it would last for another 25 years,” said Tun Dr Mahathir.

Tun Dr Mahathir expressed hopes that LTdL would turn to be like some of the world’s Grand Tours such as Giro d’Italia and Tour de France whereby international cycling fans plan years ahead and are willing to take long flights to Italy or France just to experience the race and the country.

“I believe this is achievable. Already, our cyclists are of world-class, but to reach to that stage, we must capture the imagination of cycling enthusiasts and their communities.

We must come up with a comprehensive plan and start putting in the hours to make it a reality,” said Tun Dr Mahathir.

Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Youth and Sports YB Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, LTdL Chief Operating Officer, Shahaizereen A Hamid and PETRONAS Vice President, Bacho Pilong who represented PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.

Syed Saddiq commended the organisers, urging the masses and fans to show their support and be part of this event by cheering for their favourite teams and at the same time, displaying Malaysian hospitality to the world.

He added with cycling has a huge estimated audience of about 3.5 billion mainly in Europe, North America and China. “This year’s edition will be widely shown to hundreds of millions of audiences via live broadcasts across the globe on Eurosport 2 in 52 countries, and Eurosport Asia-Pacific in 11 countries.

“The race is also available on China’s Hainan TV, Qinghai Satellite TV and Zhibo TV. Qinghai Satellite TV has registered users of more than 700 million while Hainan Satellite TV has more than 650 million registered users,” said Syed Saddiq, adding that the race will also be widely-promoted on China’s popular digital platforms including WeChat and Weibo, as well as on the organiser’s YouTube Channel.

“An important development is the fact that the race will be covered live online daily throughout the entire race, starting at 12 noon via the organiser’s official YouTube channel – HumanVoyageChannel.” said Syed Saddiq.

Syed Saddiq also thanked the race’s sponsors for their commitment, namely title sponsor PETRONAS, main sponsors Genting Malaysia Berhad and MMC, official sponsors KLCC and Putrajaya Holdings as well as other supporting sponsors such as Volkswagen, Berjaya and Bank Rakyat.

“I assure you that this partnership will be as rewarding given that cycling today has been well-received by Malaysians that it can be considered as a grassroots sport that has touched the hearts of every Malaysians,” said Syed Saddiq.

Meanwhile, PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin said PETRONAS is truly honoured to be associated with Le Tour de Langkawi as title sponsor once again for this year’s edition.

“The sponsorship resonates well with PETRONAS’ commitment towards nation building efforts through talent development. We recognise the continued value creation and positive social impact it creates as the foundation to a more sustainable and progressive nation,” said Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee.

This year’s PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi begins with a UCI-sanctioned Malaysian International Criterium race, ahead of the Stage 1 race in Kuching on Friday before a transfer across the South China SEA to the east coast in Kuala Terengganu for Stage 2.

From Kuala Terengganu, the race heads for Kerteh, before crossing to the west coast of the Peninsula, which include the signature queen stage in Genting on February 10. The race then sneaks its way to the north for the finale in its birthplace in Langkawi on February 14. The Malaysian International Classic, held in conjunction with the LTdL’s silver jubilee celebration, concludes the festivities on February 15 in Langkawi.

-www.ltdlangkawi.my