KL New Year 2014 Countdown @ Dataran Merdeka & KLCC

Kuala Lumpur is going all out to make sure 2013 ends with a bash and to welcome Visit Malaysia Year 2014 in style. And the hottest place around to ring in 2014 will be in city centre Kuala Lumpur on 31st December from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
 
The official event venue will take place at KL's two most important landmarks, the Dataran Merdeka and KLCC and will be FREE for all to enjoy.

Date	:	31 December 2013
Time	:	9.00pm - 1.00am
Venue	:	Dataran Merdeka and KLCC

-www.visitkl.gov.my

Malindo Air Aims To Clinch Three Million Passenger Target By End-2014, Says CEO

 SEPANG, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Malindo Air, Malaysia's hybrid airline, aims to achieve more than three million passenger target by end-2014, with the opening of the spanking new KLIA2 on May 2, 2014.
 
Chief Executive Officer Chandran Rama Muthy said: "we're already touching about 900,000 passengers this month. We aim to touch the first one million passengers by early next year and more than three million by the end of next year.

"As KLIA2 is coming in the pipeline, Malindo Air planned to come in at the earliest in May and with that, we hope to get over three million passengers by putting more aircraft at KLIA2 and in Subang Airport," he told the media after the launching of Malindo Air's inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi here Monday.

After New Delhi, the airline would spread its wings to other cities in India, Chandran said. "Trichy will be our next destination, with the inaugural flight scheduled on Jan 2; Mumbai on Feb 15; and Ahmedabad on March 19; with other cities such as Kochin and Chennai are also on our radar," he said.

The airline also planned to expand to the second-tier market such as to Amritsar, the Holy City of the Sikh, and Pune by the second half of 2014.

Currently, Malindo has a fleet strength of 11 aircraft, with two new ATR72-600 aircraft arriving today. The airline planned to expand its fleet strength to 25 aircraft by next year, he added.
-bernama.

KTM Komuter To Operate 24 Hours For New Year Eve Celebration

www.ktmb.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- KTM Komuter is to provide round-the-clock service from tomorrow to Wednesday in conjunction with the New Year eve celebration.

KTM Berhad said in a statement that the continuous service was to enable the public to attend the New Year eve celebrations being organised at several locations around the city, such as Dataran Merdeka, KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

KTM Berhad will provide 36 additional trains between midnight tomorrow and 6 am the following day, at 30-minute interval until 2 am and hourly interval after that until 5 am on the route to and fro from Rawang to Sg Gadut and Batu Caves to Port Klang.

It advised passengers to buy return tickets to reduce congestion at the ticket counters and ticket machines.

"Passengers are advised to comply with all safety instructions and signs. KTMB will provide sufficient additional staff to ensure security and comfort of its passengers," the statement said.

For more information, the public can contact KTM Berhad at 1300-88-5862.
-bernama.

It’s Time for Africa

27 December 2013, Subang: Malaysia Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines will be establishing new code shares that will take effect starting 1 January 2014. 

This would give the national carrier access to Addis Ababa which is the capital and the largest city in Ethiopia. The new code share is valid for booking from 30 December 2013.

The establishment will see Ethiopian Airlines' services from Addis Ababa to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa carrying the Malaysia Airlines flight code. The service will include a transit in Bangkok.

MH9489 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 11.25 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive at Addis Ababa at 6.45am the following day. Meanwhile MH9488 will depart Addis Ababa at 12.40am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive at Kuala Lumpur at 6.00pm. The Ethiopian Airlines code for this service is ET619 and ET618 respectively.

To promote this code-share, Malaysia Airlines is now offering attractive all inclusive return fares to Addis Ababa starting from RM3885 for economy class travel and RM13170 for Business Class travel.

Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari said, “Malaysia Airlines is very pleased to offer our customers an extended reach to the African continent and the customers of Ethiopian Airlines access into Kuala Lumpur. Africa is a beautiful continent and Ethiopia specifically is known for its rich cultural sites and national parks. Kuala Lumpur is one of South East Asia's cultural and economic heart and is a fast-growing and prosperous metropolis. This is also our initiative towards enhancing air connectivity with key priority markets overseas for increased tourist arrivals into Malaysia and in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014”

“Through this partnership we can expand our reach in Africa without operating our own flights. As one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the Asia Pacific region, we are confident that more tourists from the African region will use this code share and visit Malaysia,” he added.

Book your travels to Addis Ababa on Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1-300-88-3000,Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

-Malaysia Airlines.

Ancasa Royale Pekan To Begin Operations In April 2014

PEKAN, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The Ancasa Royale Pekan, a hotel owned by UDA Holdings Bhd, is 80 per cent completed and is expected to begin operations in early April next year, said Rooms Division Manager Noraini Ahmad.

She said construction of the 133-room hotel, with a ball room, meeting rooms, Japanese restaurant and spa, began two years ago.

"We have about 100 job vacancies, with priority given to locals," she told reporters when met after handing over school bags, drinking tumblers and stationery, as part of the hotel's corporate social responsibility programme, to 130 students at Kampung Lamir here Monday.

The recipients are victims of the recent floods that hit the village and two others -- Kampung Pahang Tua and Kampung Sawah.

Mohd Hanif Yadiy Ishak, 10, of Kampung Lamir, told Bernama he was looking forward to going to school with his new school bag, while another recipient, Mohd Izamrullah Mokhtar, 12, said the gifts would ease his parents' financial burden somewhat.
-bernama.

Tasik Kenyir Expects 500,000 Visitors During VMY 2014

www.ketengah.gov.my

TASIK KENYIR, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The Kenyir Lake Development Authority director Mokhtar Che Ali has expressed confidence that the number of tourist arrivals to Tasik Kenyir will reach 500,000 during the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.

"I expect the number of tourist arrivals will increase to 500,000 (2014) and will further increase to a million a year once the development project in Tasik Kenyir, including the free-trade zone, is completed," he told reporters after accompanying Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari, who visited the man-made lake here Sunday.

Mokhtar said various activities had also been lined up for next year, with the biggest event being the month-long Tasik Kenyir Festival. Among the attractions in Tasik Kenyir are Pulau Herba (Herbal Island), Bird Park, Orchid Garden and Kelah Sanctuary in Sungai Petang, he said.

Mokhtar also said the newly upgraded telecommunication infrastructure in Tasik Kenyir would also provide comfort to the visitors. "Prior to this, the telecommunication coverage here is quite limited, but with the construction of three new telecommunication towers, I'm sure users, especially tourists, will be more satisfied," he added.
-bernama.

KL LRT, Monorail, RapidKL Bus Services Extended Till 2am On Tuesday Night To Cater For New Year Revellers

www.myrapid.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- The services of the city public transport, the RapidKL' bus and rail services, will be extended to cater for the new year revellers this Tuesday.

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPAD) Executive Vice-President for Group Communications and Strategic Marketing Lim Jin Aun said the services of the Kelana Jaya and Ampang Light Rail Transport (LRT) will be extended until 2am eary Wednesday.

"All LRT and monorail stations would be opened up to 1am with key stations-KL Sentral, KLCC, Masjid Jamek, Hang Tuah, Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Bukit Nanas and Titiwangsa extending their operations by an extra hour up to 2 am," he said in a statement here Saturday.

"Despite these announced schedules, we would monitor the ridership closely. If there is a need for further extension to clear the crowd at our stations, we would definitely look into extending the rail services further and inject more trains into the system," he added.

Meanwhile the RapidKL bus services will be extended for another half an hour after the rail service extension to provide transport convenience for city dwellers, he said.

www.myrapid.com.my

Lim said the bus routes that would be extended were U64 (from Taman Seri Muda to Pasar Seni hub (PSH), U66 (Taman Medan to PSH), U68 (Sri Manja/Sentosa to PSH), U70 (Puchong Prima to PSH), U22 (Sri Nilam to Jalan Hang Lekiu), U40 (Terminal Kajang to Mydin Sinar Kota), U23 (Taman Melawati to Lebuh Ampang), U224 (Bandar Dato Senu to Kotaraya), U6 (Taman Jasa Utama to Medan Pasar) and U88 (Kota Damansara to PSH).

He said it was best for commuters to travel with MyRapid cards to ensure smooth passage at the stations, and ensure that the cards were reloaded at the entry stations.
-bernama.

BBKLCC's World Fiesta ( 28 December 2013 ) - photos news

VIP's

Speech by Dato' Seri Ng Yen Yen, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia

Launching of BBKLCC's World Fiesta

Parade begins

BBKLCC Tourism Association members

"Americas"

"Europe"

"Africa"

"Oceania"

Visit Malaysia 2014 logo

"Asia"

"Asia"

"Malaysia Truly Asia"

DJ at work

Street party

Street party

Street party

-PelanconganKini.

Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Festival packed

Dance performance after the launch of Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Festival.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are known for their love of food, so it was no surprise that the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Festival here was packed with visitors.

The three-day festival, which ends today, treated visitors to the country's famous street food, such as asam laksa, rojak, char kuey teow, roti canai, nyonya kuih and nasi kandar.

A total of 130 exhibitors were at the event in Putra World Trade Centre, jointly organised by the Tourism and Culture ministry and the Ku Su Shin Choong Hung Selangor Restaurant Association.

The ministry's deputy secretary-general Rashidi Hasbullah said the event gave a chance to Malaysian restaurant owners to showcase their new ideas and increase creativity while preparing quality dishes to attract tourists.

"However, all restaurant owners must ensure their premises are clean, as cleanliness is an important factor in attracting tourists. "When the restaurants are clean, tourists who visit there will come back again and again and again," he said at the festival's launch on Saturday.

The festival is a prelude to the Visit Malaysia Year 2014, which aims to bring 28 million foreign tourists to the country. Among the other activities organised here are cooking competitions, demonstrations on food acrobatics, eating challenges, and other food-related competitions.

-thestar online.

Istana Budaya Record RM9 Million In Ticket Sales So Far This Year

www.istanabudaya.gov.my

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Istana Budaya (IB) recorded ticket sales of RM9 million until mid-December this year through 33 musical, theatre and dance performances.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said ticket sales are expected to increase to RM9.3 million after the 'Bahayanya Wanita' theatre concludes on Dec 31. IB collected RM8.3 million in ticket sales last year.

He said he was optimistic that IB could reach the 20 percent increase in sales for 2014 through 28 productions scheduled next year which includes a theatre adaptation of Indonesian cultural observer (budayawan), Hamka, titled 'Di Bawah Lindungan Kaabah' featuring actors Adi Putra, Izzue Islam, Erra Fazira and Ziela Jalil starting May 9.

"IB's productions in 2014 are important platforms for local arts industry players to increase their art value in producing products with quality and unique esthetic value as well as generate economic revenue," he said.

Mohamed Nazri said this when launching the Istana Budaya 2014 Programme today. His speech was read by Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (Culture) Datuk Ab Ghaffar A. Tambi.

He also urged the private sector to support local productions at the IB through smart partnerships so that local cultural activities could continue to grow to an international level.

Next year, IB's stage will be graced by international singers through An Evening with Bruno Mars and Neyo on May 29, as well as local acts in 'Konsert Gemilang Salamiah Hassan' (Jan 10), Erra Fazira, Awie and Ziana Zain in 'Konsert Muzikal Suara Kita' (March 3), 'Konsert Gemersik...Ahmad Jais Dalam Kenangan' (Aug 28) and 'Konsert 45 Tahun Seniman Ramli Sarip' on Oct 17.

Other concerts lined up include 'Konsert Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia Bersama Bintang' on Jan 24 which showcases Datuk Jeffrydin, Datuk A Rahman Hassan, Datuk L Ramlie and A Halim, 'Konsert Kuala Lumpur' (April 4) and 'Konsert Ekspress Rakyat' (May 23).

Theatrical performances scheduled at the IB are 'Projek Kahwin' (June 6), 'Isabela' (June 21), 'Rejang Sebuah Musikal' (Sept 12) as well as musicals Jersey Boy (April 10) and 'Matah Hati' (April 25).

The International Ballet Gala (Aug 9), Mystic India The Musical (Aug 15) Inspitari 2014 (Oct 10), Xuan Zhuang - A Journey To The West The Musical (Oct 27), The Yunnan Showcase (Nov 21), Dramatari Gema Zafana (Dec 5) and Mamma Mia (Dec 15) will also meet IB audience in 2014.
-bernama.

BBKLCC World Fiesta on 28 December 2013

Watch out for the most happening Street Parade in Malaysia! Expect to party all night long with over 3,000 costumed dancers, floats, fireworks and music deejays this 28 Dec on Jalan Bukit Bintang. See you there!
-https://www.facebook.com/bbklccmalaysia

extra info:
28 December 2013 (Saturday)
9.30 pm - Launching of BBKLCC World Fiesta
9.50 pm - BBKLCC World Fiesta parade
10.20 pm - Fireworks
10.30pm~12.00midnight - Street Party

Sambutan Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014 di 37 pintu masuk

filepic: PelanconganKini

PUTRAJAYA 27 Dis. - Tourism Malaysia bakal mengadakan sambutan selamat datang sempena penganjuran Tahun Melawat Malaysia (TMM) 2014 di 37 pintu masuk negara pada 1 Januari ini.

Pengarah Bahagian Pemasaran Domestik, Datuk Musa Yusof berkata, sambutan selama tiga hari itu bertujuan memaklumkan kepada semua pihak bukan sahaja pelancong malah rakyat negara ini mengenai pelancaran TMM 2014.

Menurutnya, sambutan di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) nanti contohnya bakal melibatkan persembahan muzikal dan pemberian buah tangan kepada pengunjung ke negara ini.

"Pendekatan seperti ini adalah untuk memeriahkan lagi sambutan TMM 2014 dalam menggalakkan kedatangan pelancong ke Malaysia.

"Kita mahu menjadikan pelancaran TMM 2014 ini sebagai misi nasional yang melibatkan seluruh rakyat negara ini untuk menjayakannya," katanya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas majlis pelepasan program jelajah 'Countdown Journey TMM 2014' dari Putrajaya ke Pulang Pinang di lobi Kementerian Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan di sini hari hari ini.
-utusan online.

VMY 2014: Nine Agencies Get RM15 Million To Improve National Arts And Culture Products

filepic: PelanconganKini

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- An allocation totalling RM15 million has been distributed to nine agencies under the Tourism and Culture Ministry in view of the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.

The ministry's deputy secretary-general (Culture) Datuk Abdul Ghaffar A. Tambi said it was aimed at improving all national arts and culture products to promote and lure more tourists to the country.

"Our unique arts and cultures are valuable assets that could be commercialised to lure more tourists to Malaysia," he told reporters at 'An Evening with Penang Malay Art and Culture Association' event here today.

He said among the agencies that received the allocation were the National Archives Department, National Library Department, National Museum Department, National Heritage Department, Culture and Arts Department, Istana Budaya, ASWARA, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and the National Visual Art Development Authority.

He said it was hoped that the allocation would help the agencies in implementing their creative art projects, while maintaining the authenticity of Malaysian cultures.

Abdul Ghaffar said national arts and culture products, which include literature, films, traditional games, martial arts and music, could enhance patriotism among the people if they were produced and delivered in the right way.

"So, we hope the agencies concerned will explore more effective and creative methods of delivery so that they can get their message across, and hence give positive social impacts to the public," he said.

Abdul Ghaffar also called on over 500 arts and culture-related non-governmental organisations to apply for an allocation from the RM6 million Arts Industry Players Welfare Fund, which would be distributed from next year.

He said the application could be made online via the ministry's website at www.motac.gov.my.
-bernama.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Countdown Carnival At Queensbay Mall, Penang

photo: PelanconganKini

PUTRAJAYA, 27 December 2013 – While the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 clock continues ticking away towards the grand launch celebration on 4 of January 2014, Tourism Malaysia is carrying on with its VMY 2014 promotions, this time the VMY 2014 Countdown Carnival at Queensbay Mall in Penang from 28 to 29 December.

To be launched tomorrow by the Deputy Director General (Planning) of Tourism Malaysia, YBhg Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin, it’s an effort to create and sustain the excitement for the upcoming VMY 2014 celebration among the local community and expatriates at the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

The two-day event is among Tourism Malaysia’s initiatives to promote domestic travel and local tourist attractions among Malaysians and expatriates as well as encourage them to travel domestically during the VMY celebration next year.

A total of 13 exhibitors involving tour agencies and tourism product operators from Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Perak are taking part in this “hardsell” consumer fair offering fantastic Malaysian holiday packages. The booths will be located at the north wing of the mall.

The VMY 2014 Countdown Carnival is unique as it combines a domestic tourism fair and cultural showcases as well as performances by local artistes and a myriad of interactive activities. A grand flash mob performance is also scheduled for the launch.

Visitors to the event will be entertained by multicultural dance performances, a solo flute performance by Arul Pendekar Bambu and a performance by local artistes comprising Dato’ M. Daud Kilau, One Nation Emcee, Alif Aziz, Daniel Lee and Reno.

Quizzes on domestic tourism, family games, face painting and children’s colouring contest are also scheduled. Visitors will also receive VMY 2014 balloons and have the opportunity to hang their wishes on the VMY 2014 Wishing Tree.

The sponsors of the event comprises of Queensbay Mall, Penang, Firefly and Eastin Hotel, Penang. Tourism Malaysia Penang is also working closely with Gaya Travel Magazine and Yours Magazine to ensure the success of the event.

VMY 2014 Countdown Journey from Putrajaya to Penang

To promote the VMY 2014 Countdown Carnival and increase visibility for VMY 2014, Tourism Malaysia is taking a unique publicity approach by organising the VMY 2014 Countdown Journey.

The VMY 2014 Countdown Journey is a collaborative effort between Tourism Malaysia and Syarikat Elang Wah Sdn. Bhd., which sees a total of 50 flash mob dancers and local media representatives travel from Putrajaya to Penang along the North-South PLUS highway on a KL Hop On Hop Off bus to help promote and distribute flyers and promotional items for the VMY 2014 Countdown Carnival in Penang.

The dancers will perform a flash mob and energetic dance performance at three selected locations along the North-South PLUS highway, i.e. the rest area (R&R) in Tapah, KTM Railway Station in Ipoh and Padang Kota Lama in George Town, Penang.

photo: PelanconganKini

The bus was flagged off today by Deputy Director General (Promotion) of Tourism Malaysia YBrs Madam Chong Yoke Har together with the Director of Domestic Promotions of Tourism Malaysia YBhg Dato’ Musa Yusof and Managing Director of Syarikat Elang Wah Sdn. Bhd. Mr. Syed Azhar Syed Nadzir, in front of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Following the collaboration, Tourism Malaysia hopes that Syarikat Elang Wah Sdn. Bhd. which manages the KL Hop On and Hop Off bus will expand their service to Penang.

The VMY 2014 Countdown Journey can be watched through Youtube/TMPenang.
-Tourism Malaysia.

Kelantan Matta Fair Targets RM8 Million Sales

KOTA BAHARU, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) targets sales of RM8 million for tourist packages during the three-day Kelantan Matta Fair which began today.

The same event in 2012 reaped sales of RM6 million. Kelantan Matta chairman Wan Muhamad Zamri Wan Salleh said about 10 travel agencies and airline companies are taking part in this year's edition.

"The programme plays an important role in attracting domestic and foreign tourists, as well as help carry out the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 programme," he told reporters after launching the exhibition here Thursday.

It was officiated by State Culture, Tourism and Heritage committee chairman Datuk Hassan Mahmood while Kelantan Tourism Malaysia director Nor Aida Ismail was also present. Wan Muhamad Zamri said they anticipate some 30,000 visitors to make their way to the event.
-bernama.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Grand Launch ( 4 January 2014 ) @ Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur

-MOTAC.

VMY2014 Countdown Carnival @ Queensbay Mall Penang

Tourism Malaysia Penang has organised a Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Countdown Carnival at Queensbay Mall starting 28th December 2013. 

There will be many exciting activities and shows such as the domestic travel fair, flute performance, kids colouring contest, face painting and more. There will also be performances by Reno, One Nation Emcees, Aliff Aziz and more for performing artists and lots of amazing prizes to be won.

Do come and drop by at Queensbay Mall on the 28th and 29th Dec to join the carnival and let's support and be good host's for Visit Malaysia Year 2014. See y'all there!

Venue: Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas

Date: 28-29 December 2013

-https://www.facebook.com/TMPenang

Cooperation Of State Governments Needed To Achieve VMY 2014 Target

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 25 (Bernama) - The federal government needs the cooperation of all state governments to achieve the target of 28 million tourist arrivals for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said with the cooperation, the federal government could act collectively and more effectively.

"I hope to receive the cooperation of all parties to ensure success of this national mission as there is only six days left," he said at the Malaysia Christmas Open House 2013, here Wednesday. The ceremony was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Mohamed Nazri said his ministry is targeting tourist spending totalling RM76 billion in 2014. "Total tourist spending increased by 9.6 percent in the first nine months of 2013 to RM46.43 billion compared with the corresponding period last year." Tourist arrivals also increased by 3.3 percent or 18.76 million people from Jan to Sept compared to 18.15 million over the corresponding period last year.

Mohamed Nazri said Malaysia was proud to be listed as one of ten must visit destinations in 2014 by Lonely Planet. "The Malaysian tourism industry remains favourable. Tourist arrivals for 2013 are expected to increase," he added.
-bernama.

More Can Be Done To Promote Malaysia In Russia - Russian Envoy

Langkawi Island. photo: PelanconganKini

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- Although the number of Russians visiting Malaysia is rising, there is still room to further promote Malaysia in Russia, Russian envoy Lyudmila G. Vorobyeva said.

"I really would like to see perhaps a little bit more information about Malaysia in Russia promoted by your board (Tourism Malaysia) because Malaysia is a very attractive place and I know that all Russians who've been here were very happy with their stay in Malaysia," she told Bernama here recently.

For example, she said, many Russian tourists have only heard about Langkawi whereas there are many other must see tourist destinations in Malaysia.

She noted that many Russian tourists would love to visit Malaysia again, but "unfortunately when they hear of Malaysia, they only think of Langkawi," she said.

The ambassador to Malaysia made the observation when asked to comment about the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 through which the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is targeting 28 million international tourists.

"Langkawi is very much known in Russia whereas Malaysia has many more places to offer. However, Russian tourists are now starting to explore these other places. For instance, many of them are also going to Sabah now," she said.

She said that tourism was a very promising area for bilateral cooperation and as such, it was very important to not only target Moscow and Saint Petersburg but also the Asian part of Russia (Siberia) and the Pacific Coast.

The ambassador said this year the number of Russians visiting Malaysia was expected to double to 80,000, compared with 44,765 visitors last year.

"We expect this number to grow because Southeast Asia as a whole is becoming one of the major tourist destinations for Russians," Vorobyeva said, adding that last year one million Russians visited Thailand, 200,000 Indonesia and 100,000 Vietnam. Vorobyeva said Southeast Asia also presented a very good mixture of interesting culture with warm and welcoming people.

The region is also blessed with beautiful nature as well as the warm sea and beaches which Russians love most, whenever they want to escape the cold Russian winter, she added.
-bernama.

Ambang 2014 Putrajaya

Date: 31 December 2013

Time: 8.30 pm

Venue: Dataran Putrajaya, Precinct 3

-AmBank Group.

Malaysia Eyes 2 Million Chinese Tourist Arrivals In 2014

BEIJING, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to attract two million Chinese tourist arrivals next year in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.

Malaysia managed to attract a total of 1.45 million Chinese tourist arrivals for the period from January to September, a rise of 32.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, said Noran Ujang, director of Tourism Malaysia's Beijing Office.

Hence, he expressed confidence that although Malaysia's target was 1.7 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, it would be able to attract two million tourist arrivals from the world's second largest economy in 2014, he told Malaysian media during a briefing with local travel agents here, Tuesday.

A total of 10 tourism exhibitions and fairs were expected to be held in China next year, including China's northern city of Harbin's Ice Sculpture Competition, Fishing Expo, Golf Show, and VMY 2014 grand fair, which would be held in May with more special fares promotion to be expected, said Noran.

He said a total of 21 new tourism initiatives would be implemented next year, including golf tourism, "Love Tour, Love Malaysia" silver-haired tour packages, fishing elit Malaysia tournament tour packages, "Ma Shang Liu Lian" durian tour packages and "fly and ride" packages.

General manager of BTG Outbound Tours Li Shuang said the company was expected to bring about 2,000 to 3,000 Chinese tourists in next year, especially from Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) segment.

He said Malaysia was ranked among the top three travel destination in Asean countries for Chinese tourists, especially when China's currency, the yuan, had strengthened and reduced the cost of travel for Chinese tourists. "However, air accessibility and hotel accommodation shortages are still the main challenges for us to bring in more visitors," Li added.

Vice-general manager and district manager of China Comfort Travel Group Co Ltd Wang Yang said the company would focus on the elderly travellers' group in VMY 2014. Wang said the silver-haired tour packages would include health checks, packages for three generation, food and photography tours.

Currently, China recorded about 200 million elderly demographic which accounted for 14.8 per cent of the total population.

Fish Tale Adventures, the first fishing company in China which is also a Malaysian based company, will organise fishing elite Malaysia tournament tour packages every year. Its general manager Kevin Sun said the number of fishing elites rose tenfold from less than 200 recorded in 2008 to more than 1,600 people in 2013.

In order to increase awareness among Chinese anglers of VMY 2014, Sun suggested that tourism agents sponsored key high-end tournaments in the country.

General Manager of Grand Tour Golf Travel Service, Richard Song said the Malaysian government had invested heavily in golf courses in recent years to emerge as one of the Chinese golfers' favorite destinations.

"The quality of high-end golf courses are incomparable, there are people who speak Mandarin too and the climate is stable," he said, adding it was expected more than 100 people under MICE programme would participate in the golf tournament to be held in Kuala Lumpur next year in February.
-bernama.

National level open house at Esplanade

www.motac.gov.my

GEORGE TOWN: About 20,000 people are expected to turn up for the national level Christmas open house at Esplanade. 

Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state would assist the Tourism Ministry to hold the event, scheduled to start from 10am to 6.30pm tomorrow.

Since Penang is the host, state secretary Datuk Farizan Darus will provide the ministry with details on the local logistics, such as the venue, traffic and transport. “Invitations have been sent out to the national-level (bodies), state exco, some local organisations and communities,” he said during a press conference at Komtar yesterday. 

Chow said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would be present. Penang state secretary Datuk Farizan Darus said Light Street would be closed from 10am to 6.30pm during the celebration. 

Rapid Penang creative communications manager Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Kassim said free shuttle bus services would be available from 9am to 7pm tomorrow. 

The main event will officially start from 2pm. A host of activities has been lined up including cultural performances and exhibitions.
-thestar online.

Malacca airport to see more chartered flights

photo: PelanconganKini

MALACCA: The Malacca International Airport in Batu Berendam will see more flights from chartered airlines following a decision by the state government to turn it into a private-public partnership air hub.

The state is planning to have more facilities at the airport, including extending its runway to attract chartered airlines and private jet owners. Currently, the airport caters mainly for training purposes with one flying school utilising the site.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the state was optimistic of making the plan a reality once all documentations to the Department of Civil Aviation was completed.

“Public ownership and private investments are the cornerstones of the proposed plan to ensure the airport is more versatile,” he said. “The finer details of the plan will be divulged once the whole system has been put together,” he said.

By turning the airport into a private-public air hub, Idris said there would be job opportunities created besides earning revenue for the state.

“The long-term plan is to make this airport sustainable and profitable,” he said.
In April last year, the Malacca Government announced its intention to transform the airport into a regional hub for Asia-Pacific flight services, but somehow the plan had not taken off.

Idris said the plan to integrate international, domestic and regional services under one roof through the partnership would hopefully attract more airlines to operate from the airport. The plan required detailed design and negotiations with commercial parties, he added.
-thestar online.

Malaysia Airlines Offers Festive Specials

photo: PelanconganKini

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering promotions in conjunction with the year-end festivities with all-inclusive return fares from RM170 for domestic and international travel.

From today until Dec 31, 2013, travel deals from Kuala Lumpur are on offer to selected destinations worldwide with all-inclusive return fares starting from RM349 to Yangon, RM799 to Hong Kong and RM909 to Cochin on economy class, it said in a statement Monday.

"Enjoy great bargains on business class with all-inclusive return fares from RM649 to Medan and RM2,099 to China destinations mainly Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Kunming and Guangzhou.

"Guests can fly return economy class from Kuala Lumpur to London from RM2,979 and Dubai from RM1,799 while popular Australian cities are going from RM999 to Darwin, RM1,129 to Perth, RM1,799 to Adelaide and RM2,149 to Sydney," the airline said.

Meanwhile, return fares on business class for international routes start from RM11,449 to London, Paris and Amsterdam, RM6,099 to Dubai, RM3,249 to Darwin and Perth, RM4,899 to Adelaide and RM6,249 to Sydney, it said.

MAS' Regional Senior Vice-President Malaysia, Muzammil Mohamad, said: "We are delighted to offer our customers great bargains for domestic and international travel in conjunction with the New Year celebrations.

"With flexible travelling dates from Dec 28, 2013 to June 30, 2014, we encourage customers to take advantage of these offers and plan ahead for their upcoming holidays."

Domestic fares remain low from only RM170 return for travel from KLIA to Penang and Johor Baharu, RM162 to Langkawi, RM240 to Kuching, RM280 to Kota Kinabalu and RM300 to Sandakan.

For more details, log on to www.malaysiaairlines.com.
-bernama.