Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia - Tahun Baru Cina @ Taiping (8 Februari 2014 )

Tarikh: 8 Februari 2014 (Sabtu)

Masa: 8.00 malam

Tempat: Dataran Pejabat Daerah Dan Tanah Larut Matang Dan Selama, Taiping, Perak

Jamuan Gong Xi Fa Cai - Aneka kuih-muih Dan Makanan Tradisional

Persembahan - Artis 1Malaysia

-MOTAC.

Attractive Deals In MAS First Anniversary With Oneworld Alliance

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering attractive deals to the United States, Europe and Middle East in conjunction with their first anniversary in joining the oneworld global airline alliance.

In a statement tonight, MAS's Regional Senior Vice President Malaysia Datuk Muzammil Mohammad said they were delighted to celebrate 'one year in oneworld' which provides their guests with better connectivity to more than 800 destinations in 150 countries around the world.

"We hope that passengers will take this opportunity to plan their travels to these cities and experience MAS's premium on-ground and in-flight hospitality, and the same convenience and comfort on oneworld member airlines," he added. The special oneworld travel promotion for business and economy class are up for grabs for two weeks, starting Feb 1, while the travelling periods are from Feb 4 until June 30.

Among the offers are economy class all-inclusive return airfares from Kuala Lumpur to Nagoya starts from RM2,500; economy class to Amman and Doha from RM3,500 and RM3,900 respectively while fares to Honolulu, San Francisco, Seattle and Atlanta starts from RM4,300.

MAS is also inviting all its Enrich members to express their creativity in presenting unique photos or videos to show their love for travelling with the MAS or a oneworld member airlines in its '#Enricharoundoneworld Instagram Contest'.

Submissions should include a tag to MAS's Instagram account at @malaysiaairlines, followed by the #Enricharoundoneworld together with the Enrich membership number. Attractive prizes await the winners. For more information on the contest, log on to https://www.facebook.com/my.malaysiaairlines.
-bernama.

Karnival Bersama Muzium Negara ( 31 Januari ~ 3 Februari 2014 )

-MOTAC Facebook.

Ringing in the Year of the Horse on Malaysia Airlines

Subang, 29 January 2014: Malaysia Airlines rings in the lunar new year of the horse with special Chinese New Year giveaways on flights from Kuala Lumpur to destinations in Sabah, Sarawak, ASEAN, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, starting 29 January all the way till 2 February.

Guests will receive specially designed red ‘Ang Pow’ packets adorned with Malaysia Airlines’ wau design, Mandarin oranges and lunar-red meal boxes.

Even the inflight menu gets a festive touch with offers of smoked duck breast with marinated jellyfish appetiser, steamed cod and rice, and green tea bavarois dessert.

Malaysia Airlines Director of Customer Services, Dato’ Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani said, “We hope to add to the joy of travelling back to family and friends for Chinese New Year with our specially designed inflight experience. The specially designed giveaways and menu should also give our guests from overseas a new experience of this important celebration, as part of our Malaysian Hospitality.”

Malaysia Airlines’ ‘Ang Pow’ (money packets) will be distributed starting from today until 30 January 2014. Mandarin oranges will be served to all guests on Chinese New Year days of 31 January and 1 February 2014.

Travel during this festive season is expected to be at its peak. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the airport early for check-in. Passengers beat the long queues at the airport by checking in online, via MHmobile, or self service check-in at kiosks to avoid congestion at the check-in counters.

Malaysia Airlines would like to take this opportunity to wish a prosperous Chinese New Year and happy holidays to all its guests.

-Malaysia Airlines.

MH Bikers Historical Moment with Malaysia Airlines A380

Sepang, 28 January 2014: Malaysia Airlines MH Bikers today photographed with the airline’s A380 to mark their support for the national carrier’s initiatives at a small ceremony held at Hangar 6 of Malaysia Airlines’ Complex, South Support Zone.

Malaysia Airlines flagship, the A380 has been the pride of many especially the airline’s staff and it continues to be popular amongst passengers for its unrivalled flying experience.

To reflect the loyalty and spirit for the company, a group of bike enthusiasts which consists of Malaysia Airlines staff have painted their own motorbikes identical to the airlines’ A380 livery.

Aptly named MH Bikers, the group of 85 bikers is committed to achieve the objective of promoting the superjumbo, as well as the airline’s corporate branding on the road.

Malaysia Airlines' Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said at the event, "Malaysia Airlines encourages its staff to innovate and think creatively at the workplace. The identical painting of the A380 on each of these bikes portray the commitment of the bikers towards living and breathing the brand.”

“We want to nurture our staff to ‘think-out-of-the-box’ and produce fresh ideas of doing things in the company,” added Ahmad Jauhari.

MH Bikers is planning for a series of activities including promotional convoy rides and community programs. The activities will be carried out to boost the Malaysia Airlines’ brand presence whilst supporting their hobby.

-Malaysia Airlines.

Senawang Food Festival 2014 ( 31 Januari ~ 2 Februari 2014 )

-Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan.

Hilton Petaling Jaya scores more business after facelift

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/hilton-petaling-jaya-hotel-PETHITW/index.html

The 30-year-old Hilton Petaling Jaya has reported a rise in forward bookings for corporate groups and business events since the completion of its renovations in mid-January.

General manager, Charles Marshall, told TTGmice e-Weekly in an interview that prior to the facelift, which cost in excess of RM50 million (US$15 million), the hotel drew mostly group leisure business.

“Now, the business mix is 40 per cent corporate/ FIT, 45 per cent events and association meetings, and 25 per cent leisure,” said Marshall.

He added that the 546-key property, located in the heart of Petaling Jaya, is benefiting from its strategic location along the Federal Highway to tap residential conferences, multinational training events and corporate business from both Petaling Jaya and the larger Klang Valley.

It also enjoys spillover business from Kuala Lumpur whenever major events and conferences flood the city and rooms are fully booked.

Marshall is optimistic about the business outlook for this year. He said: “We are getting more enquiries from the US, Europe and the Middle East especially from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.”

-TTG Asia.

Highly anticipated expo set to take over Genting’s Arena of Stars

photo: MOTAC facebook

GENTING HIGHLANDS: A whopping 50,000 tickets have been sold for the highly anticipated Hasbro Trans­formers Expo Malaysia 2014, which kicks off this Friday at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the expo was expected to draw a record 250,000 visitors and more over the Chinese New Year period from Friday until Feb 16. He noted that only 27 international expos have been held worldwide so far, while the Malaysia expo was the largest to date in Asia.

“I am equally happy to note that the world’s iconic movie and toy brand, Hasbro Transformers, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014,” he said before launching the event at Resorts World Genting yesterday.


He said he was confident that with the good weather and upcoming major developments, Malaysians and regional visitors would flock to Genting, which received over 20 million tourists annually. Nazri also expressed pride that Malaysian artists had created the special 7m-tall figurine of Optimus Prime and the 5.4m-tall figurine of Bumblebee as some of the exclusive highlights of the expo.

There will also be a showcase of more than 1,520 limited edition Transformers figurines and memorabilia contributed by Transmy, a group of Malaysian Transformers fans. Also making an appearance is a Chevrolet’s Camaro, which transformed into Bumblebee in the films. Fans can also enjoy a walk through the 3D Tunnel experience, 3D Mapping as well as an interactive augmented reality experience.

Later at a press conference, Nazri said he had enjoyed all the highlights of the expo, which will feature 10 zones showcasing everything about Transformers.
“This is actually my first Transfor­mers experience. “Transformers was created in 1984. I was already a serious politician then. Now I am beginning to understand what it is all about,” he said.

Genting Malaysia Bhd president and chief operating officer Datuk Seri Lee Choong Yan said he was also excited about the ongoing transformation of its outdoor theme park under the RM5bil Genting Integrated Tourism Plan (GITP) launched last Dec 17.

“The new world-class Twentieth Century Fox World Park, estimated at RM1bil, is expected to open sometime in 2016. During this interim period, we will continue to offer world-class entertainment, with the Transformers Expo being just one of the many international attractions featured this year,” he said.

Expo organiser Target Exposition Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Raymond Tew said over RM5mil had been invested into setting up the event, including the augmented reality interactive game, which cost over RM500,000 to construct.

Tickets are priced at RM45 for children aged between four and 10, as well as senior citizens aged 60 and above. Adults will be charged RM55, while a family of two adults and two children can opt for the RM180 Family Package. For ticket purchase, visit www.rwgenting.com and www.MyDeal.com.my. Event details are available at www.transformersmal.com.my.
-thestar online.

Tourism Malaysia's New Tourist Information Centre (TIC) @ Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Signage outside Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Entrance.

Information counter.

Sofas and reading area.

Colourful mural.

Location: Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur

Operation hours: 9.00am ~ 6.00pm daily

Staffing: 2 Tourism Malaysia's senior information officers

-PelanconganKini.

Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival ( 19~23 February 2014 )

Date: 19 ~ 23 February 2014

Venue: Bukit Layang-layang, Pasir Gudang, Johor

Organiser: Pasir Gudang Municipal Council

-www.kitefestpasirgudang.com

PLUS : Travel Time Advisory Crucial In Promoting Smoother And Safer Travel

PLUS urges the public to plan their balik kampongs travel for Chinese New Year holidays based on its’ Travel Time Advisory (TTA) which is proven to have contributed to smoother traffic flow during peak periods in the past.

“The TTA plays a crucial role in helping the public to plan their journey whereby PLUS expects the traffic on the North-South Expressway will increase by 25 percent to 1.5 million vehicles per day during the Chinese New Year holidays compared to 1.2 million vehicles on normal days,” said PLUS Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Noorizah Hj Abd Hamid.

The TTA consists of recommended staggered travel times for various destinations from the Klang Valley to major states and cities in Kedah, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Singapore. It is aimed at distributing traffic and reducing congestion on the mainline, major toll plazas, rest areas and lay-bys during peak periods.

“We expect those in the Klang Valley to start leaving for their kampongs beginning from 29 January to 31 January (Wednesday-Friday). Meanwhile, we expect the journey back to the Klang Valley in staggered starting from 1 February to 9 February.” Noorizah elaborated.

Noorizah was quoted at a media briefing to highlight the TTA and other preparations that will be taken by PLUS in coping with the traffic increase at Persada PLUS today.

According to Noorizah, more that 50 percent of the total highway users during last Chinese New Year holidays followed the TTA and it has helped to reduce traffic congestion on the North-South Expressway.

“The high adoption rate of the TTA during the previous festive seasons helped to promote smoother and safer travel on the highways. As such, we hope that the public will continue to give their co-operation in following the TTA for their balik kampong as well as during their journey back to the Klang Valley,” Noorizah said.

”We also advise the public to plan their journey and call the toll free PLUSLine at 1800 88 0000 for the latest traffic update,” Noorizah added.

-www.plus.com.my

Homestay Operators In Pahang Reminded Not To Increase Rental

TEMERLOH, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Homestay operators in Pahang are reminded not to be opportunistic by raising room rates and house rentals in conjunction with the Chinese New Year holidays and Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin said any increase in room rates and house rentals despite the big demand for homestay accommodation would only affect the state's tourism industry in the long run.

"Local and foreign tourists choose homestays because it's cheaper this way and they enjoy the peaceful, natural surroundings. But if homestay operators increase the rates, the tourists will not return.

"They will choose other places that are still cheap to spend their holidays. As a result, the homestay operators will lose out and ultimately, adversely affect the state's tourism industry," he told reporters after surveying the prices of goods at the Temerloh main market today.

Mohd Sharkar, who is also Lanchang assemblyman, said there were sufficient essential items for the Chinese New Year celebration while the traders adhered to the related regulations and orders from the authorities.

He said the prices offered by the traders were reasonable while some vegetables were even sold at lower prices than that set by the government as they were brought directly from the farms.
-bernama.

French group Accor plans more hotels in Malaysia

File picture shows Pullman Putrajaya. French hotel group Accor aims to be Malaysia’s leading international hotel operator by 2017.

KUCHING: French hotel group Accor is rapidly expanding its network in Malaysia, with 15 new hotels nationwide in the pipeline by 2016.

The new hotels coming up in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah will provide about 2,600 rooms. By next year, the group’s Malaysian network is expected to more than double to 20 hotels with over 5,000 rooms from the current eight hotels.

Senior vice-president for Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore Gerard Guillouet said the Europe’s leading hotel operator saw Malaysia as one of South-East Asia’s top tourism destinations.

“Malaysia has a lot of potential for us to grow. We are focusing our energy to aggressively develop more hotels in the country across all market segments. “The mix of hotel segments in the pipeline indicates that we will continue to have a well-balanced network in 2015, with 15% of the hotels being upscale, 40% mid-scale and 45% being economy hotels,” he told StarBiz.

He said the network would also be geographically balanced, with hotels in strategic business and leisure destinations throughout the country.

Accor’s existing eight hotels in Malaysia are under three of the group’s 11 brands. The three are Pullman, Novotel and ibis Styles hotels. They are Pullman Putrajaya, Pullman Bangsar, Pullman Kuching, Novotel Kota Kinabalu, Novotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre, ibis Styles Fraser Perak, ibis Styles Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and ibis Styles Ipoh. The 513-room Pullman Bangsar opened for business last month.

“We expect to open at least four hotels this year. They include Novotel Melaka (374 rooms), Mercure Kota Kinabalu Eton (103 rooms) and ibis Styles Sandakan Waterfront (135 rooms),” said Guillouet.

According to him, Accor would have 25 hotels in 11 Malaysian cities and towns by 2017 based on committed projects under construction. He said Accor aimed to be Malaysia’s leading international hotel operator by 2017 from its current ranking of among the top five.

Guillouet said Accor hotels in Malaysia which opened at least three years ago were now recording average occupancy rate of between 75% and 80%, adding that the newer hotels would need time to build up their occupancy rates.

He gave the thumbs-up to the Government for putting in place good infrastructure that was essential for tourism development. “Everywhere you go, there are excellent airports like in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. What is also important (for tourism development) is efficient immigration and customs services,” said Guillouet, who returned to serve Malaysia two years ago. His first posting in this country was in 1991.

He said Accor recorded some 300 million visitors to its website and generated 25 million room nights in its hotels last year. He said as Accor saw faster growth in Asia for upscale and luxury hotels, the group was in the process of shifting its marketing base to Singapore from Paris.

Accor currently operates four hotels in Singapore where its office will take over worldwide marketing for the group in the first quarter of this year.

-thestar online.

30th Anniversary Transformers Expo 2014 @ Resorts World Genting ( 31 January ~ 16 February 2014 )

Date: 31 January ~ 16 February 2014

Time: 10am ~ 10pm

Venue: Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, Malaysia

Organized by Target Exposition Sdn Bhd in association with Hasbro, Inc., Resorts World Genting is proud to present Asia’s biggest expo located at 6000 feet above sea level, the 30th Anniversary Transformers Expo Malaysia, to be held at the Arena of Stars from 31 January to 16 February!

To kick off the event, we will be showcasing teasers of Transformers in our Mega 3D Projection Show at Genting Grand Car Park. This will be followed by the expo where visitors can venture into a few zones namely Cybertron, home planet of Transformers.
-www.ticketcharge.com.my

Government Targets RM33 Billion From Creative Content Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The government is targeting RM33 billion from the creative content industry towards the Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.

"In 2008 the industry contributed RM9.4 billion or 1.27 percent of the GNI with a workforce of 45,000. "The figure increased to 5.8 percent in 2010 with a workforce of 100,000," he said in his speech at the Royal Arts Gala 2014 at the Royal Museum (Old National Palace) here.

Also present were the Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng and Department of Culture and National Arts (JKKN) director-general Datuk Norliza Rofli.

Themed 'The Arts, The Soul of A Nation', the iconic event was organised by the My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA) in collaboration with JKKN, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

The fund raising gala is aimed at enhancing the local arts scene and encouraging the private sector to support artistic and cultural development in the country.

Mohamed Nazri said the first event in 2013 had raised RM740,000 through the sale and sponsorship of tables at the gala by the corporate sector. "The funds were distributed to 31 Malaysian artistes to implement activities related to the development of the performing arts such as promoting Malaysian artistes and works abroad, research and stage management," he said.

He said JKKN had implemented 228 programmes to develop the industry between 2012 and 2013 under the short-term national creative industry policy.

The gala included a 45-minute musical by the famous director Adlin Aman Ramlie starring local artistes such as Ezlynn, Tony Eusoff and Adibah Noor. Mohamed Nazri presented the Creative Arts Veteran award to Yayasan Sutra chairman Datuk Ramli Ibrahim and Corporate Arts Veteran award to Tan Sri Datuk Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin who represented the Sime Darby Foundation to recognise their contributions to Malaysia's arts scene.
-bernama.

Malaysia Airlines Resumes Codeshare with Myanmar Airways

24 January 2014, Subang: Malaysia Airlines and Myanmar Airways International signed a new code share agreement that will take effect starting 15 February 2014. Booking for the service will be made available on 10 February 2014.

This arrangement would increase the national carrier's access to Yangon, from the current 14 flights weekly to 19 flights weekly. The code share will see Myanmar Airways International services on the Kuala Lumpur-Yangon-Kuala Lumpur carrying the Malaysia Airlines flight code. Apart from that, the agreement also allows Myanmar Airways International to also use the Malaysia Airlines services to Singapore, Langkawi, Bangkok and Penang. Moving forward, Malaysia Airlines will carry the Myanmar Airways flight code on these flights.

Malaysia Airlines and Myanmar Airways International collaborated previously in 2006 via a code share agreement which was suspended in 2010 due to the International Economic Sanction against Myanmar.

The code share flight MH9370 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 2.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and arrive at Yangon at 3.00pm local time the same day. Meanwhile, the return service, MH9369 will depart Yangon at 8.55am daily and arrive at Kuala Lumpur at 12.55pm the next day. The Myanmar Airways code for this service is 8M502 and 8M501 respectively.  Malaysia Airlines also mounts two other flights daily at 10.00am and at 1.50pm from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon.

In its efforts to promote this code share, Malaysia Airlines is now offering attractive all inclusive return fares to Yangon starting from only RM464 for economy class travel and RM1401 for Business class travel.

Forging partnership with Myanmar Airways International is also one of several measures by Malaysia Airlines in preparation for the ASEAN open skies policy.

Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari said, “Malaysia Airlines is very pleased to collaborate with Myanmar Airways International on this code share. 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. We encourage our customers in Yangon to take full advantage of this agreement to connect to various destinations in Malaysia such as Langkawi and Penang” he added.

Myanmar Airways International (MAI), Managing Director, Mr. Si Thu said, “Malaysia Airlines has always supported and contributed tremendously towards the continuous growth of Myanmar Airways International. We fly regionally and are the sole International carrier from Myanmar with IOSA certificate which meets international safety standards. Air KBZ, MAI’s sister airline can facilitate customer’s onward travel from Yangon to domestic destinations in Myanmar. Signing this code share agreement reopened a new chapter in the relationship between Malaysia Airlines and Myanmar Airways International. We hope that this will enhance the traffic between two countries and beyond”, he added.

Malaysia Airlines currently flies direct to over 60 destinations worldwide and a further 800 destinations in more than 150 countries via its oneworld partners.

Book your travels to Yangon now on Malaysia Airlines through all distribution channels mainly www.malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines 24 hours toll free number 1-300-88-3000,Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and appointed agents throughout Malaysia.

-Malaysia Airlines.

World's most beautiful sound found

Sarawak wonder: A waterfall in Kubah National Park, which is located 22km from Kuching.

KUALA LUMPUR: A recording of natura­l sounds including frogs, birds and insects from Kubah National Park in Kuching, Sarawak, was judged to be “the most beautiful sound in the world” by US-based lifestyle website BeautifulNow (www.BeautifulNow.is).

The winner was announced recently on the website, as well as the music-sharing website Soundcloud.com, after a month-long search for the world’s most beautiful sounds.

The announcement was picked up by other lifestyle and nature websites before Malaysian netizens began sharing the news on social media earlier this week.

Australian photographer and sound recordist Marc Anderson submitted the recording, titled “Dusk By The Frog Pond”, under the moniker Wild Ambience. Listeners voted it to the top spot from among a dozen finalists and over 100 entries.

Julian Treasure, who is chairman of The Sound Agency, a branding company whose clients include Harrod’s, Honda and Nokia, created the competition.

In an audio interview posted on the website, Treasure said Anderson’s recording was “the most amazing, rich recording of just life – teeming life” and stated that was the reason voters chose it. The full version of the recording and two interviews with Anderson can be heard online at http://www.beautifulnow.is/sound.

-thestar online.

KL Police To Increase Manpower At Popular Tourist Spots During VMY 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur police will increase their manpower especially at popular tourist spots in the city in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

Its chief, Datuk Mohmad Salleh, said the move was aimed at increasing public safety and security and ensuring that tourists would feel safe during their stay in Malaysia. He said the number of policemen and the motorcycle patrol unit would also be increased to strengthen the existing manpower.

"At present, the Kuala Lumpur police contingent has the strength of 8,500 personnel and the number will be increased, especially at popular tourist spots, such as Dang Wangi, Sentul, Brickfields and Cheras, as well as in the various shopping malls, Dataran Merdeka and Petaling Street."

Mohmad said this to reporters after a walkabout along Petaling Street and launched the Ops Selamat in conjunction with the Chinese New Year 2014 today. Also present was Kuala Lumpur CID deputy chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa.

Meanwhile, Khairi said the city police would distribute the clearer photofits of the suspects involved in the theft of a RM5.2 million diamond ring at a shopping mall here on Jan 16. "The clearer photofits of the suspects will be distributed soon to enable the public to channel information and facilitate in the investigation," he said.

In the 3pm incident last Thursday, two women and a child were reported to have entered an exclusive jewellery store at a shopping mall in Bukit Bintang here. The girl, aged between eight and 10, was later believed to have made her way to get a key which was on display before stealing the valuable ring and returning the key to the same place.
-bernama.

Asean Countries Urged To Work Together To Maximise Tourism Potential

photo: Malaysia Truly Asia facebook

KUCHING, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz tonight urged Southeast Asian countries to work together in order to chart the strategic directions to maximise the potential of Asean tourism beyond 2015.

He said to date, 75 per cent of the measures outlined under the Asean Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015 had been completed and by next year, it should achieve 100 percent. "We have made significant progress indeed. We are now on the threshold of realising our goal of making Asean as a 'One Nation, One Identity, One Community" by 2015," he said at the Asian Tourism Forum 2014 (ATF 2014) closing ceremony here.

Mohamed Nazri also handed over the ATF 2015 plaque and chairmanship to Myanmar's Hotel and Tourism Minister U Htay Aung as the host of the next Asean Tourism Forum carrying the theme 'Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership'.

The minister also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Sarawak State Government for being the co-host of ATF 2014 as well as their unwavering support and cooperation. Mohamed Nazri added that Asean countries were optimistic and enthusiastic that Yangon will continue the momentum of advancing tourism in this region together by being the host next year.

Meanwhile, U Htay said ATF was a cooperative regional effort to position and promote the Asean region as one tourist destination where Asian hospitality and cultural diversity was at its best. He stressed that by organizing ATF 2015, it was indeed a very exciting time for the tourism industry in Myanmar and described the event as unique opportunity for Yangon to create a positive legacy for the region's tourism.

The ATF 2014 which kicked-off on Jan 16 has further strengthened intra-regional cooperation and coordination in tourism through various meetings such as the 17th Asean Tourism's Minister Meeting and the 13th Asean Plus Three Tourism Ministers Meeting comprising China, Japan and South Korea beside other meeting of National Tourism Organisation.

During the ATF 2014, 10 hotels nationwide had received the Asean Green Hotel Award together with 76 hotels across this region.
-bernama.