Injured Adam determined to fight at Sepang

(From Left) Petronas Sprinta Racing, Adam Norrodin, Ayumu Sasaki and Niki Tuuli.

Pic by NSTP/SUPIAN AHMAD

KUALA LUMPUR: Although, Adam Norrodin's performances over the past few seasons have been erratic, there has never been any doubt of his fighting qualities.

Visions of a determined Adam desperately pushing his bike across the finish line after crashing in the final lap at the Argentina Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2016 — in what was only his second race in Moto3 — remain vividly in the memory of Malaysian racing fans till today.

And fans can expect the Petronas Sprinta Racing rider to put in another heroic performance in Moto3 at the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix which begins on Friday.

The 20-year-old will compete for a third race in a row with a broken bones in his shoulder and a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

"I have serious injuries at the moment. I broke two bones in my shoulder at the Japan GP (last month). The x-ray showed that I have two missing bones in my left shoulder," said Adam.

"And I just found out after a scan yesterday that the ACL in my left knee has torn.

"Both my shoulder and knee need to be operated on but I have decided to put it off until after the Valencia round (season ender) because it will take some time for me to recover.

"For the mean time I can still race, it will hurt but the painkillers will help."

Despite the injuries, Adam is determined to do the country proud and secure a podium finish in what will be his final season with the Petronas Sprinta Team.

The Johor-born, who is currently 20th in the Moto3 standings on 46 points, finished a commendable seventh in Australia last week.

“My target is to finish on the podium. I feel more confident than I was last year.

“We managed to sort out a few problems with the bike which were holding me back at Phillip Island last week and have switched to a new engine."

Adam praised Petronas for their involvement in the world championships and believes their increasing support will see Malaysia churning out more world class riders in the future.

"I feel that Petronas are very serious about the world championships. Next year they are expanding their family to include MotoGP.

"I feel proud that a company such as Petronas has decided to back us and I believe their efforts will help develop more Malaysian riders capable of competing in the world championships in the future."

Petronas Sprinta Racing made its debut in Moto2 and Moto3 this year and will be joined by the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team MotoGP outfit next year. It will be the first time Malaysia have a team competing in the premier class.

-nst online.

Sepang All Ready For Malaysia’s Biggest Motorsports Festival

Sepang International Circuit (SIC), – promoter and organiser of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2018 and two times Best Grand Prix winner (2012 & 2017) is all set and ready for the 28th edition of the event and is now putting the final touches this weekend in ensuring the best ever Malaysian GP.

All temporary fully air-conditioned marques are up since early this month including the temporary pit boxes in the paddock for the Moto2™ and Moto3™ teams as well as for the IDEMITSU Asia Talent Cup, which is hosting its final round this weekend in Sepang.

In manpower management, event’s chief organiser Dato’ Razlan Razali today met and addressed the 500-plus strong volunteers that included track marshals, medical personnel, ushers, hospitality suite attendants and Media Centre staff, whom had their orientation and final training session at various locations around the circuit.

A die-hard motorcycling fan who was also active in racing, Dato’ Razlan immediately transformed the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix since taking over the helm of SIC a decade ago by bringing in Malaysians into the competition; beginning with the landmark SIC Wildcard Programme in 2009. The event had since wooed inattracted more spectators including fullcapacity since the last few editions.

While the official race program of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2018 starts on Friday with the free practice sessions, Dato’ Razlan said activities associated to the event would commence as early as tomorrow.

-Sepang International Circuit.
https://www.sepangcircuit.com/index

SIC all revved up for MotoGP race next weekend

image: Petronas Sprinta Racing facebook

PETALING JAYA: The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is all set for the 28th edition of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix next weekend.

Facilities including temporary air-conditioned marques have been up since early this month for the event which will also see the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup hosting its final round.

SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali met and addressed around 500 volunteers who included track marshals, medical personnel, ushers, hospitality suite attendants and media centre staff, who had their orientation and final training session at various locations around the circuit yesterday.

“We are all set and putting in the final touches for Malaysia’s biggest motorsports event,” said Razlan. “Everybody at the circuit has been working very hard for the event to ensure we are at our best to showcase this event and Malaysia to the world,” said Razlan, who celebrates his 10th year at the helm of SIC this year.

A die-hard motorcycling fan, Razlan has transformed the Malaysian GP by bringing in Malaysians into the competition beginning with the landmark SIC Wildcard Programme in 2009.

The official race programme starts on Friday with the free practice sessions but promotional events will commence as early as today.

“The officials and members of the racing teams, as well as the TV production crew, are coming in as early as Sunday night immediately after the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island tomorrow,” said Razlan.

“Our public programme with the fans starts on Tuesday with a football friendly match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil and a special ‘Teh Tarik session’ with MotoGP riders at NZ Curry House Garden Cafe, KLCC, on Wednesday.

“Teams will also be having their own PR and marketing programmes as well, so it will be a very exciting week in Kuala Lumpur.”

-thestar online.

Kuala Selangor out to get Ramsar listing for wetlands

A file picture of the wetlands in the Kuala Selangor Nature Park,

which could be the first Ramsar site in Selangor.

IF ALL goes well, the Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) will be the first site in Selangor to be designated as a Ramsar site (Convention on Wetlands), said Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) president Ahmad Ismail.

He said the society analysed the criteria set by Ramsar and found that the park could qualify for the recognition. 

“Now the application procedure must go through the state and federal government, namely the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry,” he said at the closing of the Bioblitz Seminar, a one-day series of talks on nature conservation at KSNP.

The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation of wetlands.

Among the wetland areas to be included in the international Ramsar list is the Sundarbans Reserved Forest in Kulna, Bangladesh; Pantanal in South America; and the Everglades in Florida, United States. 

In Malaysia, the seven Ramsar sites are in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Johor.

“The process is still at the beginning stages. MNS has proposed that the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) take it to the state level as the gazetting of the land will fall under state jurisdiction.

“The ministry will then proceed to apply for the Ramsar listing,” added Ahmad.

MDKS secretary Azman Dahlan said the council welcomed similar initiatives by the community and NGOs as long as it contributed to sustainable development.

“Often, when we plan for a town’s development, we forget about its natural resources and wildlife. “At MDKS, we place importance on nature conservation because there is an economic multiplier effect that comes with eco-tourism,” said Azman.

Famed for its fireflies and silverleaf monkeys, Azman said if the council did not take pains to preserve its natural heritage, it would be a big loss to the state.

“We have advanced countries coming up with man-made botanical gardens to attract tourists. But here, nature is right in front of us. It has to be gazetted and preserved.

“If we destroy it through uncontrolled and unplanned development, that would be like throwing our heritage and ‘oxygen tank’ away,” said Azman.

On the Ramsar listing, Azman has high hopes for all parties to work together to bring it to fruition.

MNS chairman Mashhor Mansor, who was part of the discussion panel, stressed the need for hard data in the research reports to be included in the proposal.

“Researchers must list the keystone species. For example, we must know how many species of fish can be found here, what are the migratory patterns of the birds, what are the seasons, timing and how far they go.

“Our researchers also need to network with other South-East Asian countries to compare and exchange data,” he added.

Panel speaker and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Ahmad Aldrie Amir reminded those present at the seminar that with a successful listing came commitment from the authorities and the local community to adhere to the rules.

“In world heritage sites, for example, no development is allowed.

“In protected sites, there are strict rules for those who want to enter these areas,” said Dr Ahmad.

Tour guides, for example, must be prepared to limit the number of people in groups in order to comply with conservation guidelines.

Also present was Peninsular Malaysia Wildlife and National Parks Department Datuk Fakhrul Hatta Musa who pledged to support MNS’ effort in terms of management structure plans and event participation.

-thestar online.

Sarawak readies for launch of tourism campaign

At the unveiling of the Visit Sarawak logo (middle four, from left): High Commission of Malaysia counsellor Engku Puteri Suraya Engku Mohd Afandi; Sarawak assistant minister for tourism, arts & culture Lee Kim Shin; Sarawak Tourism Board’s Sharzede Salleh Askor; High Commission of Malaysia tourism attache’ Edzuar Zar Ayob Azri

The Sarawak state government last week unveiled the Visit Sarawak Year logo in Singapore, where it will soon have an office, as a precursor to the campaign’s official launch in January 2019.

At a trade event held in Singapore last week, Sarawak assistant minister of tourism, arts and culture, Lee Kim Shin said: “The tagline, More to Discover underscores Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) strategy to position the state as a plethora of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals offerings that are not found anywhere else in the world, and ready to be discovered.”

The campaign is aimed at increasing visitor arrivals to Sarawak to 5.2 million by end 2019, from 4.9 million in 2017. Apart from the domestic market, key focus markets include the UK, Germany, the Benelux countries, China, Australia and South-east Asia.

Lee added: “Singapore will be a central hub for STB’s marketing strategies as the Sarawak state government will be setting up an office in the city-state next year.”

There are more than 600 seats daily between Singapore and Sarawak, served by Scoot, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia.

According to Lee, the 3D2N Kuching getaway is among the packages favoured by Singaporeans with Central Sarawak being a rising attraction.

Stretching from Sibu, on the lower Batang Rejang, upriver to Kapit and Bintulu and north-eastward along the coast to Bintulu and Miri, Central Sarawak offers some river journeys, national parks and modern urban conveniences. The Sibu Heritage Centre, the Niah National Park, the Tua Pek Kong temple and Fort Sylvia are some key attractions within this region.

STB’s CEO, Sherzede Salleh Askor, will intensify promotional efforts in 2019 through participation in trade fairs and digital platforms.

-TTG Asia.
https://sarawaktourism.com/

Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2018 - Bus Tickets To Sepang International Circuit ( 2 ~ 4 November 2018 )

- www.myrapid.com.my

New Malindo Air Route To Help Boost Arrivals From India To Malaysia

KOLKATA, 23 OCTOBER 2018: The launch of new Malindo Air flight from Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur on 23 October 2018 spells better connectivity between India and Malaysia, and opens the doors for more Indian tourists wanting to experience the diversity of Malaysia.

“We are happy that Malindo Air has extended its reach into this market and now we feel more committed to promote Malaysia in Eastern India. We hope that this connectivity will encourage more tour operators here to create Malaysia holiday packages for the Kolkata market here,” says Mr. Sulaiman Suip, Tourism Malaysia Director of New Delhi.

“India is one of the important markets for us and we have been getting good response from India. Kolkata is a potential market in terms of outbound travellers and we look forward to seeing good response to our new flight from Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur,” says Mr. Ramdas, Senior General Manager, Malindo Air.

Traditionally Indian tourists have a fascination for Kuala Lumpur and the famous Twin Towers, but Mr. Sulaiman believes that Indian tourists will be equally enchanted by the sheer diversity of Malaysia’s other tourism offerings, saying that there’s more that the country has to offer.

Mr. Sulaiman says, “We want to introduce Indian tourists to places beyond Kuala Lumpur such as upbeat destinations like Ipoh, Johor, Kota Kinabalu and beautiful unexplored beaches.”

He adds, “Whether you are an ardent traveller or venturing overseas for the first time, Malaysia never fails to surprise you. There is so much that awaits you in the microcosm of Asia. We want our Indian guests to go beyond Kuala Lumpur and return home with unforgettable memories of our beaches, rainforests, national parks, unlimited exotic flora and fauna, shopping, cuisines, theme parks and more.” 

Travel to Malaysia for Indian tourists is facilitated by the ease of getting a visa. The hassle-free process of eNTRI which grants Indian tourists a 15-day single entry permit to visit Malaysia and the multiple-entry eVISA help encourage more Indians to explore the destination.

With the availability of more flight options, Malaysia aspires to welcome one million Indian tourists by the year 2020. There was an 11% growth of Indian tourist arrivals from January to August 2018 compared to the same period in the previous year. 

Malaysia is a year-round holiday destination due to its sunny, tropical weather. The country is also well connected by air from India, making it convenient to travel even at short notices or for quick getaways. 

The Malindo Air Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur route flies five times a week offering a seat capacity of 810 seats. It offers 12 business class and 150 economy class seats. This adds to 78 weekly flights by Malindo Air from nine cities including Kolkata. The new route means Indian tourists can now choose from 230 weekly flights on various airlines to travel from 13 cities nationwide to Kuala Lumpur.

-Tourism Malaysia.

https://www.malindoair.com

The Kuala Lumpur Major @ Axiata Arena Kuala Lumpur ( 16 ~ 18 November 2018 )

The Kuala Lumpur Major is the biggest esports championship in Malaysia and the first ever Dota 2 Pro Circuit Major happening in Southeast Asia, jointly presented by PGL, eGG Network and Imba TV supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, National Sports Council Malaysia and Esports Malaysia. 16 best Dota 2 teams with over 80 top e-athletes from around the world will compete in Kuala Lumpur for US$1,000,000 dollars prize money and invaluable DPC points in their quest to proof themselves as the world’s best in Dota 2 en route to The International 2019 in Shanghai.

The Kuala Lumpur Major main event will be held at the largest indoor stadium in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. The Axiata Arena has hosted a myriad of international events including the Commonwealth Games, SEA Games, BWF World Championship and concerts of various international artists. The location is well connected with the city’s Light Railway Transit, public buses, taxis, ride hailing service and ample parking space is available for those who drives.

Fans can expect 3 days of exhilarating world class Dota 2 action, lots of fun activities and opportunities to meet their favorite players and personalities from 16 – 18 November at Axiata Arena. Tickets are available in 3 categories of Ancient, Divine and Immortal with prices starting from MYR180.

For more information, please visit www.thekualalumpurmajor.com

See you in KL! #kualalumpurmajor

-AirAsia RedTix.
https://airasiaredtix.com/thekualalumpurmajor

All set for world amateur tournament in Johor

https://www.worldgolfers.com/

MALAYSIA will this week host one of golf’s biggest amateur tournaments – the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC), world final – at four top courses in Johor. These are the newly opened Forest City Golf Resort, the Els Club Desaru Coast (Ocean course), Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club and Palm Resort Golf & Country Club (Cempaka course).

The host nation has five champions, who made it from the local qualifiers, in the tournament – Loh Junyou (1 hcp), Azwan Abu Bakar (8), Sufian Riba (11), Datuk Jamaluddin Abdul Razak (17) and Zannuar Md Dum (21).

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is celebrating its seventh year as the title sponsor of the Malaysian event and the country’s leading car manufacturer is looking forward to supporting the world final again when 450 golfers from 40 countries visit here this week.

Delta Trend Golf & Leisure Holidays is organising the event, which was also held here last year.

Perodua chairman, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin extended his gratitude to Delta Trend Golf and the sponsors for their support of the championship.

“To the five national winners, congratulations and well done.

“I hope you will forge new friendships, fortify existing ones and discover new ways of looking at and enjoying the great game of golf.

“And I’m sure you’ll do us proud,” said Asmat.

Since 1995 the event has inspired amateur golfers from around the world by offering them a platform to compete in an international tournament.

-thestar online.
https://www.worldgolfers.com/

Singapura hub utama promosi kempen Tahun Melawat Sarawak

MENTERI Muda Pelancongan, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Sarawak, Datuk Lee Kim Shin

(empat dari kiri) memegang sumpit dan perisai tradisional simbolik pelancaran

Logo Tahun Melawat Sarawak di Singapura.

SINGAPURA 19 Okt. - Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) mahu menjadikan Singapura sebagai hub utama mempromosikan kempen Tahun Melawat Sarawak yang akan dilancarkan hujung tahun ini.

Menurut Menteri Muda Pelancongan, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Sarawak, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, kempen tersebut berhasrat meletakkan Sarawak sebagai destinasi pilihan pelancong di rantau ini.

“Kita telah merekodkan peningkatan 16.5 peratus kedatangan pelancong dari Januari hingga Julai lalu yang menjadi petunjuk baik minat pelancong berkembang di pasaran negara Kota Singa ini.

“Penambahan penerbangan terus Singapura-Kuching menerusi penerbangan Scoot, Malaysia Airlines dan AirAsia memberikan 600 tempat duduk setiap hari,” katanya ketika berucap pada Majlis Pelancaran Logo Tahun Melawat Sarawak di sini malam tadi.

Yang turut hadir, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif STB, Sharzede Salleh Askor, Kaunselor Pesuruhjaya Malaysia di Singapura, Engku Puteri Suraya Engku Mohd. Affandi dan Pengarah Tourism Malaysia Singapura, Edzuar Zar.

Mengulas lanjut, Kim Shin memberitahu, pakej percutian tiga hari dua malam ke Sarawak dilihat telah menjadi kegemaran pelancong Singapura.

“Bahagian tengah Sarawak kini menjadi tarikan dari Sibu, kawasan hilir Batang Rejang, Kapit dan Bintulu memberikan perjalanan sungai, taman negara dan kemudahan bandar moden,” jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Sharzede berkata, aspek digital akan memainkan bahagian besar dalam kempen Tahun Melawat Sarawak itu nanti.

“Selain mewujudkan platform dan kandungan digital bagi mencapai kepada pasaran, kita juga akan membangunkan aplikasi mobil bagi kemudahan pelancong dalam meneroka lebih banyak di Sarawak,” jelasnya.

-utusan online.
https://sarawaktourism.com/

Night Track Tour Package @ Sepang International Circuit ( 2 & 3 November 2018 )

For this year's Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit will be offering a New Event Night Track Tour.

Here is what you can expect from your night track tour, benefits include: 

A once-in-a-lifetime experience 1 lap race-track tour on double decker bus (upper deck semi-open). Approximately 30 minutes including two photo pit-stops:
1. Turn 11 (C2 hillstand)
2. Turn 15 (Hibiscus Tower)

Buffet dinner at the Perdana Suite and an exclusive SIC Merchandise just for you! 

- https://www.sepangcircuit.com/

More self-service bag drops coming to Malaysia Airports’ klia2

Following the implementation of 15 Scan&Fly units at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (klia2) this year, communications and IT solution provider SITA will deploy a further 15 units to reduce baggage processing and check-in wait times for passengers.

Baggage processing time has been cut in half for AirAsia passengers using the Scan&Fly bag drop technology at klia2 terminal, SITA claimed, taking between 30-40 seconds on average compared to the 75 seconds previously and reducing the wait time for check-in by 40 per cent.

According to SITA, its baggage processing technology has also resulted in “dramatic improvements in the overall check-in times”, with the average wait time for passengers at klia2 terminal dropping from the previous seven minutes to just four minutes.

The airport technology provider also said that bag drop technology has also led to more effective resource management at klia2, with an average of six agents needed for bag drop versus the 15 required to man traditional check-in desks.

With more than 25 million and growing passengers passing through klia2 terminal annually, Azli Mohamed, chief strategy officer, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), said the self-service bag drop will enhance the passenger travel experience and allow airlines at klia2 to better manage their resources and reallocate agents to focus on delivering an improved customer experience.

-TTG Asia.

IndiGo’s new KL flights from India to allow more options, competitive fares

India-based LCC IndiGo will commence new daily services linking Kuala Lumpur from Delhi and Bengaluru on November 15, becoming the only India-based airline to currently offer services to Malaysia.

Although Malaysia-based airlines are already flying on these routes, the trade hails IndiGo’s new flights as a major victory for air connectivity between the countries, as they introduce more travel options and competitive airfares for Indian outbound travellers to Malaysia.

Arokia Das Anthony, director, Luxury Tours Malaysia, explained: “IndiGo has good connections domestically. It will be able to carry passengers from other points of India to Delhi in the north, or Bengaluru in the south, and travel onwards to Kuala Lumpur. Being from the same airline, connecting flights to Kuala Lumpur will not cost as much as purchasing seats from two separate carriers.”

He added: “The Malaysia-based airlines, be it AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines or Malindo Air, only fly to the big cities in India. Hence all this while, Indian travellers from smaller cities will have to travel to the big cities on domestic carriers, in order to fly to Kuala Lumpur.”

Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager at New Asia Holiday Tours & Travel, said: “Cities surrounding Delhi and Bengaluru will now flourish (for outbound travel to Malaysia). The new flights reduces the cost of travel for families from smaller cities such as Coimbatore, Patna, Guwahati and Vijayawada wanting to holiday in Malaysia, and it also provides healthy competition for AirAsia that flies on both routes.”

IndiGo’s new routes come at a favourable time, said Navaratnaa, as Indian families are expected to be more price conscious with a weakened rupee.

“We need to promote creatively. We have packages combining city and island, hill resorts and theme parks and spiritual tourism which includes visits to monasteries and temples,” he said.

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia to reduce visa cost for China tourists

Fielding questions: Dr Mahathir speaking to the media in the Parliament lobby.

THE government will look at ways to reduce the cost of visa for Chinese tourists, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The issuance of these visas are done by China and there is a shortfall in the service, which needs to be improved.

“We will have to decide on a visa cost, which is not too high, and ways on how to speed up the visa issuance process,” said the Prime Minister when replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) in Parliament.

Dr Mahathir acknowledged that there was a drop in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia recently.

Earlier, Fong Kui Lun (Pakatan-Bukit Bintang) asked if the sharp drop in Chinese tourists during China’s Golden Week national holidays was due to the negative perception towards Malaysia following a review of several Chinese-backed projects in the country.

In reply, Dr Mahathir said the drop in Chinese tourists had not only affected Malaysia but other countries.

“During their national holidays between Oct 1 and Oct 7, many Chinese travel overseas.

“However, many Chinese tourists had also travelled within China,” he said.

Dr Mahathir expressed confidence that the number of Chinese tourists to the country would pick up again.

Last year, it was estimated that some 180,000 Chinese tourists visited Malaysia during the period.

According to Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia attracted 2,281,666 tourist arrivals from China in 2017, netting some RM13bil in tourist receipts.

On Malaysia-China ties, Dr Mahathir assured that both nations were committed towards strengthening political ties, forged over 40 years ago.

He noted that during his recent visit to China, they had agreed to import an additional 500,000 tonnes of palm oil from Malaysia at a reasonable price.

-thestar online.

Travel Malaysia 2018 @ Singapore Expo ( 19 ~ 21 October 2018 )

Travel Malaysia 2018 is here again with various promotions and deals up for grabs!

1) Participate in our lucky draw contest and stand a chance to win attractive prizes

2) Redeem 1 night stay in First World Hotel Standard Room by
Resort World Genting from 1GP 
Redeem 1 night stay in First World Hotel deluxe Y5 Room by 
Resort World Genting from 5GP

3) Mascot meet & greet by Resort World Genting
19 Oct: 2pm, 3pm & 5pm
20 Oct: 2pm, 330pm & 5pm
21 Oct: 2pm, 3pm & 5pm

4) Catch Ben Lim & Wong Fu Yee live performance
19 Oct: 12pm & 515pm
20 Oct: 1130am, 345pm & 7pm
21 Oct: 1130am, 230pm & 7pm

5) Free Membership signup and get 3D2N stay at Genting & sure-win lucky dip

6) Daily Stage Games with attractive prizes to be won

Come on down to Singapore Expo Hall 5B.
Open daily from 19th - 21st October 2018
11am - 9pm

-Travel Malaysia Fair facebook.

Malaysia To Attract More Tourists From Azerbaijan

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 OCTOBER 2018 – Tourism Malaysia has announced a Malaysia-Azerbaijan cooperative tourism initiative, marking a strategic bilateral effort to woo more tourists from Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region to Malaysia. 

The initiative is between Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AZTA) and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), who both signed a Partnership Memorandum today at Malaysia Tourism Information Centre (MaTiC), Jalan Ampang, during the Malaysia-Azerbaijan Tourism Networking session.

The two parties were represented by Mr. Nahid Bagirov, Chairman of AZTA and Mr. Akil Yusof Deputy President for MATTA. The event was witnessed by Mr. Zulkafli Yahya, Senior Director of International Promotion Division for America, Europe and Oceania, Tourism Malaysia along with Datuk Nargiz Safarova, Tourism Ambassador for Russia & Central Asia.

The two-year cooperation (2019-2020) will see both parties working with local travel agents to develop special tour packages for both countries. It will also pave the way for discussions to establish possible flight connections.

Mr. Zulkafli Yahya said, “The cooperation between both tourism parties is timely and strategic as Azerbaijan is a growing market with great potential for us to tap into the leisure and high-end market segments. We look forward to seeing flight and tour packages developed for this market as we welcome more Azerbaijanis to Malaysia.”

In 2017, Malaysia recorded a total of 1,035 tourist arrivals from Azerbaijan, an increment of 12.1% in comparison to 2016. The growth trend continued this year with an increase of 18.8% in arrivals in the first four months, bringing the total of Azerbaijani tourist arrivals to Malaysia to 448 between January and April 2018. 

The arrival figures, though small, indicate a growing demand for Malaysia by the Azerbaijanis despite the absence of direct flight connections, limited tourism promotions and lack of a Tourism Malaysia representation in the country. 

Azerbaijan is currently served by Tourism Malaysia offices in Turkey and Moscow. The country’s neighbors include Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey, a region that is gaining more political stability and opening doors for more tourism activities.

-Tourism Malaysia.

http://www.malaysia.travel/

Malaysia among Asia’s most visited countries, says report

BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): South East Asian region receives the highest number of travellers with China topping the list, according to the World Tourism Organisation report.

Tourism has been one of the growing economic sectors across the world.  According to the report by World Tourism Organisation the international tourist arrivals have increased from 25 million globally in 1950 to 278 million in 1980, 674 million in 2000, and 1,235 million in 2016.

The Asia Pacific region accounts for 30 per cent of the world’s international tourism receipts.

The region has outperformed all other regions in terms of growth, with international tourist arrivals increasing an average 7% per year compared to the world average of 4%.

It attracted the highest number of tourists in the region with a record number of inflow of 59.27 million people in the year 2016. 

Great Wall of China draws highest number of visitors followed by Forbidden city, Ming dynasty palaces. Apart from the architectural feats China has many natural sites that attract international tourists.

Thailand attracted second highest number of tourists in the region with 32.58 million visitors in 2016.

The country has an easy visa policy that makes it easier for tourists to travel. 

Malaysia attracted 26.75 million tourists last year, although the average number of days of stay decreased.

Japan and India followed with 24.04 and 14.56 million tourists respectively. 

In India, it was a new high since foreign tourist arrival crossed ten million for the first time and pushed the country’s earnings to 27 billion dollars.

The numbers also helped the country go up 25 places in the Tourism competitive Index.

South Korea had the sixth highest number of tourists in the year 2016.

However the numbers plunged to a low owing to the boycott by Chinese tour groups after South Korea installed the Thaad system. 

Singapore and Vietnam followed with 12.91 million and 10.01 million tourists respectively.In 2017, Philippines’ tourist arrival went up by 11 per cent at 5.96 million. South Koreans remained the highest numbers of visitors to the country. 

It was followed by Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka. The lesser visited countries of the region remained Mongolia, Brunei and Bhutan.

–The Nation/Asia News Network/thestaronline.