Travel Malaysia Fair is back!
14~16 October 2016
11am~9pm daily
Singapore Expo, Hall 6B
See you there!11am~9pm daily
Singapore Expo, Hall 6B
-http://www.eeba.sg/
Friday, 30 September 2016
Sunway opens new regional sales office in Shanghai
Malaysia’s Sunway Hotels & Resorts has
opened its first regional sales office in Shanghai in an effort to better serve
the Chinese market.
The office, opened on August 1, is developed
in partnership with Century Holiday International Travel Group and will be responsible
for Sunway's key corporate accounts in China and to represent the hospitality
group’s 11 properties in Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam.
"Our presence in China affirms Sunway's
commitment to further strengthen the brand's footprint, catering to the robust
Chinese outbound corporate travel and leisure tourist markets,” said Albert
Cheong, CEO of Sunway Hotels & Resorts.
“Working alongside Century Holiday will
provide Sunway the platforms to capture a significant share of a growing number
of Chinese outbound travellers across all segments of the market,” he added.
Following the opening of the regional sales
office, Sunway organised a three-city roadshow from September 19-23 to promote
several of Sunway's facilities as a major tourist and convention
destination.
The
roadshow, done in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines,
AirAsia and Century Holiday, toured the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou before concluding at the 3rd Sichuan International Travel Expo (SCITE)
in Emeishan, China.
-TTG Asia.
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Singapura, Indonesia, Thailand pesaing dalam pelancongan Johor
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| Edzuar Zar Ayob Azari (tengah) menyaksikan Khalid Yusoof (kiri) menyampaikan sijil di dalam Majlis Simposium Pelancongan dan Hospitaliti Kebangsaan 2016 di Hotel Thistle Johor Bahru, semalam. |
Pengarah Tourism Johor, Edzuar Zar Ayob Azari berkata, sektor pelancongan di negara itu semakin dikenali dan pendekatan bersepadu perlu dilaksanakan dalam perancangan dan pelaksanaan industri tersebut secara mapan di negeri ini.
“Di Johor, sektor pelancongannya sedang berkembang pesat dan pelancongan berasaskan beli belah semakin matang. Ini cukup syarat untuk menarik pelancong luar negara kerana banyak pusat beli belah bertaraf antarabangsa bertapak di Johor.
“Perkara ini dapat mengukuhkan Pelan Strategik Pemasaran Pelancongan Johor. Johor memfokuskan sektor pelancongan dan perlu sentiasa bersifat inovatif dan dinamik, seiring peredaran zaman agar sentiasa memenuhi cita rasa pelancong setiap masa.
“Kerajaan Johor juga mahu menarik kedatangan pelancong berulang ke negeri ini,” katanya ketika berucap semasa merasmikan Simposium Pelancongan dan Hospitaliti Kebangsaan 2016 di Hotel Thistle, di sini hari ini.
Yang turut hadir Naib Canselor dan Presiden Universiti UCSI, Prof. Datuk Dr. Khalid Yusoff; Presiden Malaysia Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Education (MyCenTHE), Prof. Madya Dr. Kashif Hussein; Pengarah Kanan Akademik, Jabatan Pendidikan Politeknik, Azizi Lin dan Timbalan Pengarah Akademik, Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Abdul Razak Senan.
Sementara itu, dalam sidang akhbar, beliau berkata, pihaknya berhasrat mengurangkan kebergantungan pekerja asing berkemahiran dalam sektor perhotelan negeri ini yang ketika ini kebanyakannya dari Filipina.
Beliau berkata, pekerja berkemahiran tempatan iaitu graduan universiti awam dan universiti swasta yang mempunyai sijil dalam bidang itu akan mengisi jawatan tersebut pada masa depan.
Mengenai simposium tersebut, beliau berkata, program itu disertai 250 peserta dari seluruh negara melibatkan pelbagai latar belakang antaranya golongan akademik, penggiat industri pelancongan dan penuntut universiti.
“Antara isu dikupas adalah perkembangan industri pelancongan dan hospitaliti, trend masa hadapan terhadap permintaan tenaga kerja dan penggalakkan penghasilan produk unik untuk industri berkenaan.
“Simposium ini juga mengupas kaedah dan ruang dalam mewujudkan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan kepada graduan dalam bidang ini. Penghasilan atau penciptaan produk pelancongan yang unik pada masa depan juga dibincangkan,” ujarnya.
Calls for ASEAN to be a single MICE destination
While ASEAN has been extensively marketed as
a single destination for leisure travel, the same cannot be said for MICE,
prompting buyers to call for more visible efforts from governments and stronger
public-private partnerships to make that a reality.
This is especially when ASEAN already has
what it takes to reach the ideal of a single MICE destination, including good
air connectivity and the rise of new destinations within the region, they said.
Twin-country itineraries are especially
relevant to the longhaul MICE market as travellers want to maximise their time
in South-east Asia, said Susan Soong, assistant general manager of Borneo
Destination Management.
“Combined destinations can be arranged for
meetings and incentives of between 50 and 100 people. (We can) organise the
meeting in one destination and a post tour in another.”
Increasing intra-region links have opened up
opportunities for DMCs to spotlight emerging countries like Cambodia and
Vietnam in multi-country incentive programmes.
“Since Turkish Airlines opened services from
Istanbul to Hanoi and Phnom Penh a year ago, there has been growing interest in
these destinations,” said Murat Ayar, general manager of Travel Dreams, Turkey.
“For new destinations like Cambodia and
Vietnam, combining both countries is more attractive and make clients’ trips
worthwhile,” said Ayar.
Unlike Thailand, whose competitive prices and
diverse attractions make it a strong mono destination for his corporate
clients, Cambodia and Vietnam need to be combined to attract participants, he
said.
Taufiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey
Plus, Bangladesh, has also witnessed a growing interest from clients for new
ASEAN destinations for corporate meetings and incentives.
“Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia
have been (top destinations) for us, but Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are new
windows (of opportunities).”
To promote ASEAN as a single MICE
destination, buyers urged governments to lend greater support to DMCs.
Association events can also be leveraged to
promote ASEAN MICE, according to Andang Prasmiko, business development manager
of PACTO Convex.
“The main event can take place in one
destination, while the post tours, technical visits, etc, can be conducted in
other countries in the region.”
What is needed is better coordination between
the involved associations and the local governments, although profit sharing
poses a challenge.
“Splitting
an (association) event means having to balance the value of the whole event
(across the host countries),” acknowledged Andang.
-TTG Asia.
GOLFTOBER FEST Set To Drive Golf Tourists To Malaysia
The month-long festival will see participating clubs offering special rates to international visitors along with a hole-in-one prize of a golfing package to a Malaysian destination for golfers who score an ace at the designated holes.
“We chose the month of October for the festival so we can ride on the publicity generated by two high-profile golf events in the country, the CIMB Classic and Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, both of which take place during the month at TPC Kuala Lumpur. The country will also be in the limelight due to big non-golf events like the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix, Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix and Malaysia International Gourmet Festival,” said MGTA President EuShen Ng.
“We hope to attract at least 1,500 new international golf tourists to play in the country during the month. Of course, we will build on the impetus created by Golftober Fest to further drive golf tourism arrivals to Malaysia and establish our country as the premier golfing destination in the region,” he added.
Malaysia boasts close to 200 golf courses located in a variety of spectacular settings, ranging from scenic highland layouts and sun-kissed beach resorts to pristine jungle courses and upmarket urban clubs.
Some of the biggest names in golf have ‘made their mark’ in Malaysia by designing courses here, including legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Peter Thomson and Jumbo Ozaki.
The country successfully defended the title of ‘Asia’s Best Golf Destination’ at the 2015 World Golf Awards, while MGTA members The Els Club Teluk Datai and Liberty Golf Services claimed the Asia’s Best Golf Course and Asia’s Best Golf Tour Operator awards respectively.
For more information and updates 2016, log on to www.playmalaysiagolf.com.
About MGTA
Formed in March 2011, the Malaysia Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) is a non-profit organisation whose goal is to create greater international awareness of Malaysia as a golfing destination.
The MGTA membership consists of golf clubs, resorts, hotels, tour operators and media, thus providing a focal point for overseas tour operators and other parties who are keen on selling Malaysia as a golfing destination. This is enhanced by a long-term partnership with the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO), which includes global communication through the IAGTO’s extensive network of tour operators and media owners.
MGTA works closely with Tourism Malaysia to formulate and execute strategies that elevate Malaysia’s profile as a golfing destination. These include strategic presences at international and regional golf shows and conferences, targeted campaigns in key markets as well as marketing/promotional tie-ups with international golf media.
Golfers are engaged directly through MGTA’s ‘Play Malaysia Golf’ campaign where the huge diversity of golfing experiences in Malaysia is highlighted at consumer-centric golf events and high-profile tournaments
Information on golfing in Malaysia is disseminated through the MGTA’s portal, www.playmalaysiagolf.com and via marketing collaterals distributed through Tourism Malaysia offices worldwide.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MALAYSIA GOLF TOURISM ASSOCIATION AT:
137, 1st Podium Block, Wisma MPL, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (603) 2141 5011 / Fax: (603) 2148 0945 / Email: info@mgta.com.my
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Ashley joins seven other Malaysians for Sime Darby LPGA
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| From left: Natasha Andrea, Winnie Ng, Aretha, Nur Durriyah and Ashley with the Sime Darby LPGA trophy. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star |
The 16-year-old is looking forward to rub shoulders with the world’s elite golfers, including idol Paula Creamer of the United States, after earning a dream start at the tournament from Oct 27-30.
In the final round of the 36-hole qualifier at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Ashley carded a second straight four-over 75 for an eight-over 150 to finish third.
Aretha Pan, who had a four-stroke overnight cushion, easily cruised to a three-shot victory despite a 75 for a 144 total.
Nur Durriyah Damian, the Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open champion, will also be returning to the US$1.8mil (RM7.42mil) event after adding a 73 to claim second spot on 147.
It was the first time that Malaysians claimed all the three qualifying spots.
The trio will join the three exempted Malaysian pros – Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh and Ainil Johani Bakar – in the four-day tournament.
Two other Malaysians – Winnie Ng and Natasha Andrea Oon – also earned invitations to play in the 75-woman field as the country’s top two juniors. With eight in the fray, it will be Malaysia’s biggest-ever representation in the tournament’s history.
Ashley was pleased to realise her dream of playing in her first LPGA Tour event.
“I really hope to catch up with my idol Creamer (a 10-time LPGA Tour winner). I hope we’ll be in the same flight,” said Ashley, a student at the Hills International Golf Academy in Queensland, Australia.
For Aretha, she will be making her sixth appearance in the tournament, also to be held at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.
“I have great confidence in my game now, so today’s victory came as no surprise,” said Aretha.
“But I need to improve on my putting. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish strongly this time,” said Aretha, whose best finish was joint 53rd in 2011.
Leading final round scores
*Malaysia unless stated
144: Aretha Pan 69-75; 147: Nur Durriyah Damian 74-73; 150: Ashley Lau 75-75; 151: Winnie Ng 75-76, Kim Seong-ryeong (Kor) 73-78; 152: Kuriko Tsukiyama (Jpn) 74-78; 153: Gwon Min-hae (Kor) 79-74; 154: Natasha Andrea Oon 76-78; 155: Qistina Balqis 77-78; 156: Jean Chua 82-74, Dianne Luke 78-78.
-thestar online.http://simedarbylpgamalaysia.com/
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Message for World Tourism Day 2016 By Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Tourism has experienced a revolution in the past 50 years. In 1950 there were near 25 million international tourists crossing boarders in a single year; today there are around 1.2 billion people travelling the world. Travelling has become a huge part of many people’s lives.
When we travel, we come across new people, new sights, and new ideas. Often our perception of the world changes as we see more of it. We definitely become better people.
However, we must not forget that for many of us, travelling can be quite a difficult process.
15% of the world’s population is estimated to live with some kind of disability or another. This is my friends about 1 billion people around the world who may be unable to enjoy the privileges of knowing other cultures, experiencing nature at its fullest and experiencing the thrill of embarking on a journey to explore
new sights and new places.
Accessibility for all should be therefore at the heart and at the center of tourism policies and business strategies. Not as a human rights only which is important on its own, but also as a great market potential and as a great business opportunity.
With the world’s population ageing, all of us will benefit sooner or later from universal accessibility in tourism.
As we celebrate World Tourism Day today, let us recall that all of the world’s citizens have the right to experience the incredible diversity of our planet and the beauty of the world we live in.
We thus urge all countries and destinations, as well as all the industry stakeholders, to promote accessibility for all in the physical environment, in the transport systems, in the public facilities and services and in the information and communications channels.
I wish you a very very happy World Tourism Day and a future full of enriching and compelling travel experiences to be enjoyed by all.
I thank you all very much!
-UNWTO.
SuperStar Libra kembali belayar di perairan P. Pinang
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| image: Star Cruises (丽星邮轮) facebook |
Kepulangan kapal setinggi bangunan 10 tingkat dan seluas kira-kira saiz dua buah padang bola itu berikutan permintaan tinggi pelancong terhadap perkhidmatan kapal mewah tersebut.
Bermula 2010, kapal yang mempunyai 700 kabin itu menjadikan Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang sebagai pelabuhan utama pelayaran mereka.
Bagaimanapun sehingga 15 Julai tahun lalu, kapal itu menjadikan Pelabuhan Xiamen, China sebagai pelabuhan utama sekali gus tidak lagi memasuki perairan negeri ini.
Namun, atas permintaan ramai khususnya dalam kalangan penumpang setia, kapal dengan lebih 300 anak kapal tersebut kembali menawarkan pelayaran mewah kepada pelancong bermula 23 September lalu.
Naib Presiden Jualannya, Cynthia Lee berkata, pihaknya teruja untuk kembali belayar dari negeri ini selepas lebih setahun tidak berlabuh di Pelabuhan Swettenham di sini.
Menurut beliau, perairan negeri ini sentiasa menjadi pilihan kepada pihaknya apatah lagi dengan permintaan memberangsangkan sama ada daripada pelancong dalam atau luar negara kepada perkhidmatan mereka.
“Sebab itu kita membuat keputusan kembali ke perairan negeri ini dan menawarkan pakej utama kami iaitu pelayaran ke Phuket dan Krabi, Thailand.
“Malah, pelancong khususnya penduduk tempatan juga berpeluang merasai pengalaman belayar di atas kapal mewah ini menerusi pakej satu malam di perairan tempatan,” katanya.
Beliau ditemui pemberita dalam majlis sambutan semula kapal mewah itu di Pelabuhan Swettenham, Georgetown, di sini baru-baru ini.
Yang turut hadir Pengerusi Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang Sdn. Bhd., Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza.
Buat masa ini, Star Cruises SuperStar Libra menawarkan dua pakej utama iaitu pelayaran tiga hari ke Phuket dan Krabi, Thailand setiap Ahad bermula 23 September lalu.
Turut ditawarkan adalah pakej pelayaran satu malam ke perairan negeri ini setiap Rabu dan Sabtu dan maklumat mengenai harga pakej boleh didapati dengan melayari www.starcruise.com.
Menurut Cynthia, pelayaran ke Thailand setiap minggu itu sudah pun menerima tempahan menggalakkan daripada lebih 20 ejen mereka di negeri ini.
Katanya, kebanyakan pelancong pula merupakan pelancong asing antaranya dari India, Indonesia, Jepun, Singapura, Thailand dan Taiwan.
Sementara itu, Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, Tan Teik Cheng melahirkan rasa gembira dan teruja dengan kepulangan semula kapal mewah itu ke negeri ini yang sekali gus melonjakkan sektor pelancongan domestik di negeri ini.
“Tidak syak lagi kapal mewah ini merupakan aset pelancongan penting kepada kami seperti yang dapat dilihat ketika mereka belayar dan berlabuh di pelabuhan ini beberapa tahun lalu.
“Sebab itu kita cukup gembira selepas mereka memilih menjadikan Pelabuhan Swettenham sebagai pelabuhan utama untuk kesekalian kalinya kerana ini merupakan berita gembira buat penggiat sektor pelancongan di negeri ini,” katanya.
Monday, 26 September 2016
Ninjago World tarikan baharu di Legoland
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| image: LEGOLAND Malaysia facebook |
Pengarah Operasinya, Casper Bonavent berkata, tarikan baharu yang diperkenalkan taman tema itu apabila dibuka kelak diyakini mampu mempertingkatkan kunjungan orang ramai terutama pelancong domestik dan antarabangsa ke situ.
Menurutnya, Ninjago World yang bakal dilengkapi dengan Ninjago Ride memberikan pengunjung pengalaman perjalanan berkonsepkan empat dimensi (4D) dengan mengawal sendiri pengembaraan mereka.
“Menerusi teknologi itu, pengunjung berpeluang merasai pengalaman luar biasa hanya dengan menggerakkan tangan dan pada masa sama dapat merasai seolah-olah mempunyai kuasa hebat seperti mengeluarkan bebola api.
“Tarikan baharu di Legoland Malaysia itu kini 85 peratus siap dan kita menjangkakannya dapat memulakan operasi pada November ini,” katanya selepas pelancaran Halloween - Brick or Treat di Legoland Malaysia di sini baru-baru ini.
Pada majlis itu, pihak Legoland Malaysia turut membawa 100 kanak-kanak kurang bernasib baik merasai pengalaman di taman tema tersebut secara percuma menerusi tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR) mereka dikenali Merlin Magic Wand.
Tambahnya, tarikan terbaharu itu juga yang pertama seumpamanya diperkenalkan di Asia Tenggara akan memberikan pengalaman baharu kepada pengunjung Legoland Malaysia terutama kepada mereka yang meminati Ninjago.
Sementara itu, mengulas berhubung program CSR Legoland Malaysia, Casper memberitahu, usaha berkenaan akan dilakukan berterusan bagi memberi peluang kepada golongan kurang bernasib baik untuk meneroka taman tema tersebut.
“Pihak kami akan sentiasa menggerakkan pelbagai aktiviti menerusi Merlin Magic Wand dalam usaha memberi dan membawa pengalaman di Legoland Malaysia ini antaranya kepada kanak-kanak kurang berkemampuan,” katanya.
Have fun at the F1 GP next weekend
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| image: www.sepangcircuit.com |
SIC chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali said lots of activities are in store for motorsports fans of all ages which will be held around the track between Sept 30 and Oct 2.
“We have X-Track events, including drifting, rallying, go-kart and all-terrain vehicles activities for the adults.
“The kids can look forward to enjoy riding strider bikes, pocket bikes, attending a safety driving school, playing mini golf as well as inflatable bouncers,” he told The Star.
Razlan said for this year, the track has been resurfaced while two brand new facilities have been added, including the new team paddock hospitality building and the south paddock pit building.
“These two buildings will not only help us in terms of operations but will also enable us to bring in more revenue.
“With two international motorsports events happening in October, it proves to be a balancing act. But it’s fun,” he said.
The Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix will be held from Sept 30 until Oct 2. This will be followed by the MotoGP from Oct 28 to 30.
Razlan said SIC was confident foreign tourists would come for the Grand Prix, with ticket sales showing 1.5% and 2% growth year-on-year.
But for any event to flourish, Malaysians need to give their strong support, he stressed.
“We do understand that the global economic uncertainty is causing more people to tighten their belts. But with the Malaysia Grand Prix occurring in October instead of March, we hope fans would have time to think about it and come to support their favourite racing teams,” he added.
Razlan said track amenities are the top priority of SIC management.
“We do realise that there was a perception that amenities like toilets and seatings seemed old and worn.
“But you must realise it is not easy to maintain a track with a capacity of 60,000 being exposed to the elements.
“On a sunny day, everything would seem fine. But when it rains, it really gets wet and that is when it is perceived as terrible,” he said.
He added that before any event takes place, workers would proceed to carry out a deep cleaning of the track. But the rain had a tendency to ruin their efforts.
On the incident when a monitor lizard crept onto the track at the recent Singapore Grand Prix, Razlan said SIC staff are always monitoring the track almost every day.
“We do not want anyone encountering any sort of obstacles on the track, so we are constantly looking out for such problems,” he said.
-thestar online.
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