Help turn Johor into MICE hub, industry players urged

http://www.tourism.johor.my/

JOHOR BARU: The Johor tourism and hospitality sector has been urged to make the necessary preparations to support the state’s aim of becoming a MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) hub in the region.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said Johor was aiming at becoming one of the top destinations in the region for business events.

“We are in the final stages of setting up the Johor Convention and Exhibition Bureau, which will oversee the mechanism and work for this purpose,” he said after launching the four-star Amerin Hotel in Taman Perling here yesterday.

The state, said Tee, was now in discussions with the Johor econo­mic planning unit and Iskandar Regional Development Authority to work out a strategic plan on making Johor a MICE hub.

“This will help attract more business tourists, whose spending average is 3.5 times more than leisure tourists,” he said, adding that it is also in line with Johor’s tourism strategic plan to make the state a high-value tourist destination by 2023.

-thestar online.

http://www.tourism.johor.my/

Konsert 3 Kejora Bersatu @ Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur ( 7 & 8 Oktober 2016 )

“Qum...Fa Anzir” secara ringkasnya ia membawa maksud “kebangkitan” dan ianya berbentuk satu peringatan untuk individu supaya sentiasa berubah atau berhijrah kearah yang lebih baik dari masa ke semasa. Bersempena meraikan kedatangan tahun baru islam iaitu Muharram 1438H, penganjuran konsert ini di pentas yang berprestij Istana Budaya adalah bertujuan untuk mengembalikan kegemilangan kebangkitan lagu lagu nasyid kontemporari sekitar tahun 1996 dahulu yang sememangnya mencetus fenomena yang luarbiasa. 

Kemunculan kumpulan Brothers membuka dimensi baru dalam industri muzik tanahair dimana genre nasyid kontemporari mula mendapat perhatian. Lagu lagu seperti Teman Sejati, Satu Perjuangan dan Man Ana mula mendapat perhatian peminat nasyid dan media tempatan. Kebolehan mereka membawakan lagu lagu dalam bahasa Arab dan Inggeris menjadikan mesej mesej murni yang disampaikan mudah difahami oleh pelbagai lapisan masyarakat.

Industri muzik dirancakkan lagi dengan kemunculan kumpulan Hijjaz yang mempertaruhkan genre yang sama bagi meneruskan legasi kegemilangan lagu lagu nasyid kontemporari. Kejayaan meraih Anugerah Gold & Platinum diatas penjualan album Keizinanmu yang melebihi 90,000 unit, telah membuktikan bahawa mereka juga mampu berdiri teguh mewarnai industri hiburan.

Tanpa disedari, ledakan arus lagu lagu berunsur ketuhanan, nasihat, dakwah ini turut mengalami perubahan pada konsep irama yang lebih segar dan diadun dengan alat muzik moden. Atas keberanian itu kumpulan Rabbani yang sememangnya dikenali di awal kemunculan dengan nama Nadamurni ini telah berjaya menggegarkan industri tanahair dengan lagu lagu nasyid moden seperti Pergi Tak Kembali, Intifada, Iqrar, Apa Yang Kau Tahu dan banyak lagi. Karya mereka mendapat pengiktirafan apabila berjaya mendominasi Anugerah Album Nasyid Terbaik selama 3 tahun berturut turut. Kejayaan manis ini membuktikan bahawa lagu lagu nasyid mampu memberi impak yang besar kepada industri hiburan tanah air. Tidak hanya hiburan, malah bait bait lirik yang dilafazkan dapat memberi aspirasi kepada keharmonian dan kesejahteraan manusia sejagat.

Justeru itu, KAY Event Management & Services selaku penerbit menggalas tanggungjawab dengan membawa perintis kepada kebangkitan industri nasyid tanah air ini bersatu dalam sebuah konsert yang sangat epik dan amat mengagumkan. Bagaikan kejora yang bergemerlapan, ketiga tiga kumpulan nasyid ini bakal mengalunkan lagu lagu hits dari album mereka sebagai hadiah kepada peminat di dalam dan di luar negara yang tidak jemu menyokong kerjaya seni mereka sehingga kini.

Hampir dua dekad memperjuangkan irama nasyid dan keberadaan mereka di atas pentas berprestij Istana Budaya pasti ditunggu-tunggu. Dengan kecanggihan teknologi pentas dan sentuhan artistik yang memukau, konsert ini bakal memberi nafas baru kepada penggemar lagu lagu nasyid di Malaysia disamping mengangkat karya nasyid tempatan ke tahap yang lebih tinggi dan membanggakan.

Konsert ini menjanjikan sentuhan muzik yang digubah menyimpang dari stigma umum dengan gabungan pemuzik professional dan iringan strings ensemble. Himpunan lagu lagu malar segar dan terkini bakal mewarnai spektrum suara mereka. Ironinya mereka akan berpadu vokal dalam genre yang berbeza yang pastinya akan menggugat emosi mereka yang mendengarnya. Penampilan khas kumpulan acapella Colour of Voices yang pernah di viralkan semestinya akan menjanjikan sesuatu yang menarik dan nostalgik. Keterujaan bakal dirasai dengan gabungan vokal mereka bersama Brothers, Hijjaz dan Rabbani yang pertamanya di saksikan di atas pentas berprestij ini.

Konsert 3 Kejora Bersatu ini berlangsung selama 2 hari iaitu pada 7 dan 8 Oktober 2016 jam 8.30 malam bertempat di Panggung Sari Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Tiket tiket beharga RM50, RM70, RM100, RM150, RM200 dan RM250 boleh didapati di kaunter tiket Box-Office Istana Budaya atau layari laman sesawang www.airasiaredtix.com untuk info lanjut. Bersama samalah kita menyemarakkan industri nasyid tanah air dan semoga usaha murni yang dilakukan dengan ikhlasnya dianggap ibadah. Insyaallah.

“ Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, belanjakanlah (di jalan Allah) sebahagian daripada rezeki yang telah Kami berikan kepadamu sebelum datang hari yang pada hari itu tidak ada lagi jual beli dan tidak ada lagi persahabatan yang akrab dan tidak ada lagi syafaat. Dan orang-orang kafir itulah orang-orang yang zalim..” ( Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat : 254)

#Konsert3KejoraBersatu
#BrothersHijjazRabbani 

Get your tickets from:

1. Online at www.AirAsiaRedtix.com
2. Rock Corner outlets:	The Gardens, Mid Valley (TEL: 03 - 2201 4893)
	Subang Parade (TEL: 03 - 5613 1139)
	The Curve (TEL: 03 - 7733 1139)
	Bangsar Village (TEL: 03-22021139)
3. Victoria Music outlets:	Sg Wang(TEL: 03 - 2148 7208)
	Amcorp (TEL: 03 - 7956 0592)
	Tropicana (TEL: 03 - 7722 2955)
4. Penang outlets:	Artist Gallery, Gurney Plaza
	Artist Gallery, Queensbay Mall
5. Istana Budaya Jalan Tun Razak	03 40265558

-AirAsia RedTix.

Hotel The Waterfront punyai kelas tersendiri

http://thewaterfrontkuching.com/index.php

Lokasi terletak di bahagian ‘jantung' bandar raya Kuching, Sarawak iaitu dikelilingi bangunan bersejarah dan disajikan pemandangan ikonik seperti bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) dan Astana Negeri (kediaman rasmi Yang Dipertua Negeri) telah menjadi Hotel The Waterfront sebagai tempat penginapan yang mempunyai kelas tersendiri.

Bukan itu sahaja, hotel butik lima bintang yang baru beroperasi pada awal tahun ini turut terletak di atas sebuah pusat beli-belah terkenal iaitu Plaza Merdeka menjadikan ia pilihan orang ramai dari dalam mahu pun luar negara.

Tetamu hotel ini boleh bersiar-siar tanpa perlu menaiki kenderaan ke beberapa tempat menarik dan bersejarah seperti Tebingan Kuching iaitu mereka boleh menaiki kapal layar menyelusuri Sungai Sarawak atau penambang (sampan) pergi ke Kampung Gersik untuk membeli kek lapis dan ikan terubuk masin sebagai buah tangan.

Setibanya penulis dan jurugambar di pintu masuk lobi hotel melalui Kompleks Mahkamah Lama Kuching yang dibina pada 1874, kami disambut dengan sebuah lukisan besar menunjukkan pokok Sepit Udang atau nama santifiknya Heliconia dan burung Enggang yang mengisahkan mengenai alam, hasil karya pelukis tempatan, Narong Daun, di samping senyuman manis para kakitangan hotel.

Sambutan awal itu mengesahkan apa yang dimaklumkan oleh pemilik hotel, Datuk Steve Ng Thian Yew kepada penulis sebelum ini, bahawa mereka mahu meletakkan penginapan tersebut dengan tema 'artrageous' iaitu seni-seni artistik termasuk dalam bilik yang pasti meninggalkan kenangan bermakna buat tetamu.

Menurut Steve, tema itu membolehkan pihaknya menyokong artis-artis tempatan seperti Ramsey Ong, Narong Daun, Chew Fang Chin, Nisa Addina (pemain viola) bagi mempromosikan hasil karya mereka melalui hotel berkenaan dan menjualnya kepada pengunjung yang datang.

“Bilik-bilik suite menggunakan nama dan tema artis-artis berkenaan yang mana hasil seni mereka akan dipamerkan dalam bilik termasuk biodata mereka.

“Kita mempunyai 208 bilik termasuk 45 suite dengan kapasiti sepenuhnya dapat menampung kira-kira 500 orang.

“Walau bagaimanapun ketika ini, 80 peratus daripada keseluruhan bilik sudah dibuka dan menjelang hujung tahun ini kita akan beroperasi sepenuhnya,” katanya ketika ditemui baru-baru ini.

Mengulas lanjut, beliau memberitahu, sejak dibuka pada Januari lalu, sambutan dan maklum balas diterima daripada pelanggan cukup positif kerana pihaknya sentiasa mengutamakan dengan layanan khidmat pelanggan terbaik.

Dalam pada itu, kata Steve, pihaknya juga dalam perancangan untuk membuka sebuah coffee bar di atas bumbung hotel bagi memberikan satu pengalaman yang tidak dapat dilupakan pengunjung.

“Di coffee bar ini, pengunjung dapat menikmati pemandangan bandar raya Kuching pada waktu matahari terbenam sambil menikmati kopi atau minuman lain bersama juadah ringan yang disediakan,” ujarnya.

Selain itu, katanya, hotel itu turut menyediakan pelbagai kemudahan seperti restoran Cafe Via Mare yang menyediakan masakan berkonsepkan barat dan Asia, gimnasium, bilik persidangan, eksekutif lounge dan kolam renang menggunakan air masin yang dikatakan baik untuk kulit.

Kolam renang terletak di tingkat empat itu cukup menarik kerana pemandangannya terarah ke bangunan DUN Sarawak yang menghadap sungai.

Setiap bilik di hotel ini menggunakan katil empuk yang direka khas bagi memberikan pengalaman tidur 'heavenly bed' dengan tilam Getha.

Wifi percuma disediakan pada setiap bilik bersama dua sarapan bufet dengan harga bilik bermula dari RM188 sehingga RM380 semalam.

 Alamat: 68 Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak.

 Telefon: 082-227227

 Faksimili: 082-227277

 Laman web: www.thewaterfrontkuching.com

-utusan online.

Sabah can ban shark hunting

KUALA LUMPUR: Seven new types of sharks and rays will be included in the endangered species list of the Fisheries Act but the rest of Malaysia’s 67 shark species are still free to be caught and consumed.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek also announced that Sabah was free to totally ban shark hunting if the state government so wished.

This comes amid mounting pressure from international and Malaysian conservationists and even from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Sabah government to amend the Fisheries Act to totally ban shark hunting.

In an interview yesterday, Ahmad Shabery said Sabah would have to revise its own laws to ban shark hunting but federal regulations on sharks would remain the same.

He also explained that out of the 67 shark species, of which 48 could be found in Sabah waters, only two were considered endangered - the whale shark and the sawfish.

The ministry plans to gazette the oceanic white tip shark, four hammerhead shark species, the giant oceanic manta ray and the reef manta ray as endangered species, too.

“Not all sharks are endangered. They try to generalise sharks but there are 67 types. These are common species that you can see in the market every day, so you cannot generalise sharks as a whole.

“I agree that endangered species have to be protected. If Sabah wants a total ban on shark hunting, they have the right to do so. There is no problem with us. We don’t get the profit, only Sabah,” he said.

Sabah’s Fisheries Department exists separately from the Federal Government’s jurisdiction, he said, making it possible for the state to enact its own laws on shark hun­ting.

“But to have a blanket ban on all sharks under the Fisheries Act, that is not possible.

“ It’s not to say I don’t love sharks. Because if you want to do total banning, it has to fit international standards,” he said, explaining that total protection on an apex predator could lead to an ecological imbalance in marine life.

Ahmad Shabery disagreed with shark conservationists who claimed that 80% of Malaysia’s shark population had depleted since 1989, saying that studies were being done to sustainably manage the population – though no results can be announced yet.

According to ministry statistics, shark products make up 0.1% of Malaysia’s total fisheries output with 1,466 metric tonnes to the 1.45 million metric tonnes of seafood caught from 2008 to 2014.

According to wildlife conservation group TRAFFIC, Malaysia ranked 10 in the world for shark hunting, behind countries Indonesia, India, Mexico, Taiwan, the United States and Japan.

On Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s proposal to have sharks protected under a planned Protected Marine Animals Act, Ahmad Shabery said discussions were ongoing.

“I don’t want people to think there is a clash between two ministries. That is not the way we work. We will iron out between us,” he said.

-thestar online.

Malaysia To Host The Coolest Dive Show In Asia

Now in its 11th year and described as both the “Hottest” and “Coolest” Dive Show in Asia, the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE2016) welcomes ‘DIVERS OF THE WORLD’  which will be held from 29 - 31st  July, 2016 at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

  

MIDE is strongly focused on the business of diving to attract trade as well as industry brands. The expo is internationally recognized and well-received by industry players globally. As  one of the fastest growing market shares in South East Asia, the expo contributes to a very healthy dive global business market that has had a positive impact on the local economy as well as the tourism industry in Malaysia.   

This year, the MIDE 2016 will showcase 250 booths and anticipate more than 15,000 visitors with 1,000 exhibitors from all over the world to be participating in the dive expo.   With more than 1,000 brands to be showcased by 200 participating companies, the turnover for MIDE2016 is projected 

approximately at RM10 Million.  

“Dive tourism has a staggering impact on the local economy and it is no doubt that Malaysia is fast becoming one of the world's leading dive destinations with one of the richest marine environments. The 2016 Malaysia International Dive Expo will set the stage and provide a platform for ardent dive enthusiasts and companies to create awareness for Malaysia as a dive destination. Taking advantage of this high-impact opportunity with internationally recognized industry players, this adds value and places Malaysia as an attractive destination in the sporting industry as well as the chance to build a national dive go-to expo for the country,” said Datuk Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of the 

Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). 

The soft opening of MIDE 2016 will be officiated by YBhg. Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab  Director General of Tourism Malaysia on 29 July 2016 at 3.00pm, at Main Stage, MIDE Hall 3, Level 3, Putra World Trade Centre, and Kuala Lumpur. 

Visitors will enjoy many lined up programmes that will be beneficial to every divers and to-be divers.  

 Forum on Business of Diving (BOD) is organized by Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) with theme of ‘FUNDING’ to emphasize the business aspects of diving on 30 July 2016 at 10am. If you want to venture into business, or import dive equipment or considering of manufacturing locally or even intend to exhibit at an international show, the Business of diving will share insights on your dream business. The BOD segment invites all dive business 

owners, resort, dive centers, distributors, certifying agencies and international 

manufacturer’s to attend this forum to gain vast knowledge and information that will be provided by the relevant organization. The guest speakers include Encik Aliman Ali, the Head of Program Financing Section from SME BANK, Encik Ruhizam Idris, the Deputy Director of Domestic Investment Division, MIDA and  Puan Marina Yusof, Senior Manager Market Development Unit of MATRADE and Puan Nor Yahati Awang, the Tourism Licensing Division will give a presentation on the product and services that are available for the industry players.  

 Global Free Diving Forum is initiated for the first time to create awareness of free diving in South East Asia.  The panel of speakers are Adam Thomas Stern, a 3X Australian record holder, Jonathan Chong, the President of Apnea Association  of Singapore and a  free diver and instructor, Mikhael Dominico,  A.I.D.A Indonesia,  a free diving instructor at Judge and Safety Freediver and  our very own Malaysian AZUA SHAFII, the President Of My Apnea Diver 

(A.I.D.A Malaysia) 2016, SSI Free diving Instructor and Malaysia’s national female record holder for free diving, will share the importance of safety measures and techniques to apply on free diving. 

 Person With Disabilities (PWD) – Speakers will join MIDE for the first time this year to share how scuba diving has made a difference in their life.  Panel of Speakers are Ras Adiba Radzi (NTV7 Newscaster) and Senator Bathmavathi (Member of the Upper House Parliament) will share on their life journey on Saturday.  Professor Dato' Dr. Zaliha Omar (President - Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians (MARP) and Associate Professor Dr Nazirah Binti Hasnan, Tuan Hj. Syed Abd Rahman (Ambassador for Diveheart Malaysia)  will 

share their passion that has brought them to work with PWD. There will also be two (2) Students of University Malaya presenting of their success story in scuba diving. 

 Local and International Speakers will share their expertise in the various fields of dive license, product innovation, photography, conservation, dive travel and adventure travel. 

 Workshop on Free diving will be presented by Malaysian Free diving record holder Azua Shafii and Australian Free Diving record holder Adam Stern. Both will share on techniques, safety and skill on free diving. If you want to know more on how to hold your breath longer, there will a demonstration at the pool after the workshop. So don’t miss this opportunity happening on both Saturday and Sunday. 

 Dive Magazine – X-Ray Mag, the popular, trusted, eco-friendly, award-winning international dive magazine. This year marks the launch of X-Ray Mag Asia, which highlights dive locations throughout Asia with new dedicated online portals on its global website as well as dedicated digital issues. Originally established in 2003 in Copenhagen, X-Ray Mag has grown globally as 

the first premier dive magazine in digital format, widely read in North America and Europe. X-Ray Mag will make its entrance at MIDE and be offering free subscriptions and guest gifts to visitors who subscribe during MIDE. 

 B2B Meeting – The Ministry of Republic of Indonesia will be hold their first  B2B meeting on Friday, 29 July to meet with all dive trade industry from both countries on trade exchange. 

 Educational Marine Programme has been organized for children aged between 6 to 17 years old. The children from YMCA (Deaf Community) will be attending with their parents. The programme consists of marine life and ocean presentation, a pool try-dive and a colouring contest. The will also be presentation by Young Talent, Garri Immanual Tadlip aged 13 years 

from Philippines, the youngest photographer who will share his passion on underwater photography at the main stage. 

 Not a Diver Yet – For non-divers who are keen on trying out diving but unsure if they would like the sport, this will be the right time as there will be a pool for one to  try-out with full equipment attached to your body while learning how to breathe underwater. Also, one stands a chance to enter lucky draws to win an amazing Scuba Fundamental Book that will teach you the right path to enjoy your dive. 

 DiveDiveFanclub – join the fanclub and enjoy many benefits that is available. This year members will enjoy special deals offered for free diving courses and a pool session plus speakers from Thailand and Malaysia will be sharing their success story of being a lady diver in the dive industry that will surely entice you to consider your career or even venture into business in the dive industry that’s booming. 

 Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) – An annual photography competition known by photographers of the world.  This year the competition received entries from 20 countries worldwide. Additional categories that was included for this year includes creative works and a three minute video which was the highlight of the competition. Winner’s photos will be displayed at the LBO gallery during MIDE.  The winning videos will be showcased on the big screen at the main stage during the expo. 

 Other Activities’ – GoPro Malaysia will organize a contest – ‘Count the Logo’ to win some fabulous prizes. The purchaser who buys more than RM300 will get to enter the lucky draw prizes.  Divers and DDFC members introducing their friends will received RM5/- vouchers. Visitors can purchase MIDE T-shirts, Dive Necklace and other merchandize with a promotional price.  Tours desk will be set up during the three days for visitors and exhibitors to organize their tours. 

 Free Entrance are offered to ADCON Delegates, Trade Visitors, Media Representatives, DDFC members, MIDE Underwater card holders, Be A Diver sign-up, Children (under 17 years old), DDI Members, PWD Members and Educational Marine Programme Students. 

MIDE is supported by Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, MATRADE and Diving Agency PADI, NAUI, TDI/SDI, SSI, Dive Raid, NDL, DAN, together with Local and International Media Partners. 

For more information, please visit www.mide.com.my, or contact us at info@mide.com.my or call 603-79809902. Follow us on Facebook under Malaysia International Dive Expo and Twitter Malaysia International Dive Expo for exciting weekly updates.

-MIDE 2016.

Festival Buah-buahan Dan Makanan Negeri Sembilan 2016 ( 6 ~ 7 Ogos 2016 )

Kepada pengemar Durian dan Buah-Buahan Tempatan jangan lepaskan peluang menikmati buah-buahan kesukaan anda di :

FESTIVAL BUAH-BUAHAN DAN MAKANAN NEGERI SEMBILAN 2016

Tarikh: 6-7 Ogos 2016 (Sabtu dan Ahad)

MASA : 10 pagi - 10 malam

Tempat : Pasar Komuniti dan Karavan,Paroi,Kilometer 12,Jalan Seremban-Kuala Pilah

JOM MAKAN SAMPAI HONGEH!!
DAPATKAN BUAH-BUAHAN TEMPATAN DENGAN HARGA BERPATUTAN

-Lembaga Pelancongan Negeri Sembilan facebook.

Celebrate Boeing's 100th Anniversary With Malaysia Airlines RM100 Fares

Celebrate Boeing's 100th with RM100 fares until 30 July!
-http://bit.ly/2a3JyrR
-Malaysia Airlines facebook.
www.malaysiaairlines.com

Tourism Malaysia – Alibaba Collaboration Opens Door To China Market

PUTRAJAYA, 27 July 2016 – Malaysian tourism merchants can soon market their products and services directly to Chinese travellers through an e-marketplace in China. This is made possible by a strategic collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group to create the Malaysia Tourism Pavilion (MTP) on Alitrip.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Tourism Malaysia and Alibaba Group to promote the one-stop e-commerce and online marketing platform together, which enables Chinese tourists to access Malaysia’s travel and tourism products and services.

The platform will be managed and operated by Beijing Xinlian Mobile Technology, appointed by Alibaba and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, under the guidelines set by the two parties.

A seminar was organised by Tourism Malaysia and Alibaba Group at the Ministry of Tourism & Culture in Putrajaya on 21 July to share the details of MTP with the local industry players and convince them to promote and market their tourism products and services to Chinese consumers via the platform.

It was graced by Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Strategic & Domestic) Chong Yoke Har, Alitrip Vice President Tony Duan, and Beijing Xinlian Mobile Technology CEO Julius See. The seminar attracted about 120 industry players comprising travel agents, product owners, theme park operators, airlines, and niche product associations.

“We believe that the tourism industry can benefit greatly from the e-commerce platform to boost sales. The hotel industry, for instance, has been utilising this platform for years. In fact, the management of e-commerce and online channels is one of the main tools for promoting and improving sales in the current hotel businesses,” said Chong in her welcome speech.

The travel products and services promoted and offered via MTP include local tour and hotel packages (with or without flight tickets), shopping and dining mobile vouchers, local attraction and event tickets, and local transportation and communication services. These products will be offered directly to Chinese tourists by participating travel companies in Malaysia and China.

China has always been an important market for Malaysia and the country will continue to strive to get a bigger slice of the Chinese outbound market. Last year, tourist arrivals from China to Malaysia increased by 4%, reaching 1.68 million compared to 1.61 million in 2014.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia Airlines orders 50 B737 MAX planes from Boeing

Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow body jetliner series as the successor
to the Boeing 737 Next Generation series.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd has ordered 50 B737 MAX aircraft from Boeing for US$5.5bil while its listing plans are in place for March 2019.

The planes, which are expected to be delivered from 2019, are to be used for the longer range flights.

“The purchase will be a game changer for the airlines,” said its new CEO Peter Bellew.

The Boeing 737 MAX, which is the narrow body jetliner series, is the successor to the Boeing 737 Next Generation series.

According to Boeing's website, the 737 MAX Efficiency delivers 8% lower operating costs than its main competitor while its advanced technology winglet increases fuel efficiency by 1.8%.More

The new plane will also deliver better environmental performance while its superior fuel efficiency reduces carbon emissions. 

The quieter 737 MAX also has a 40% smaller noise footprint than today's single-aisle airplanes.

The purchase of these planes are part of the national carrier' plans to regain market share it has lost over recent years.

In a recent interview with StarBiz, he pointed out there will be no more staff and route cuts, instead there will be a period of refinement with lower fares for the Economy Class as the carrier tries to 

MAS will add six to seven new destinations next year, mostly flights into North Asia from KLIA2, Sabah and Sarawak, which will allow the airline to tap new segments of the market as it expands further into growth markets which are in the four-to-eight-hour flying radius.

“Most of the cost cutting is done, now it is about refinement. We have got better in our purchasing, handling cost is 50% lower, catering cost is 20% lower and fuel 5%-6% lower. It is getting much better. We need to be nimble and fly smarter,” he added.

MAS has cut 6,000 jobs and shrunk its network by 30%.

-thestar online.