Malaysia Shows Strong Tourism Presence At ATF 2019

PUTRAJAYA, 17 JAN 2019: Led by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, YB Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi, Malaysia shows strong presence at the 38th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, which has been held from 14 to 18 January 2019.

The Malaysian delegation is comprised of 33 sellers from hotels and resorts, tour agencies and state tourism boards, namely Tourism Selangor, Tourism Johor, Penang Global and Sabah Tourism Board. The delegation is also including the Secretary General of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Musa Yusof. 

There are various events allowing Malaysian private sector to take part in the ATF TRAVEX to expand their business opportunity, i.e. exhibition and business appointments, conferences and networking sessions, tourism trade networking event and ASEAN National Tourism Organisation and Association meetings. ATF is one of the most significant annual tourism promotional events in Asia where ASEAN Ministers uses as a platform to meet and discuss regional issues. And this is the first time that YB Datuk Mohamaddin has attended this tourism event in his ministerial capacity with peers from the region.

This year’s ATF obtains participation from 315 buyers with 289 exhibitor booths, representing companies and properties from 10 ASEAN countries, as well as 145 international media.

In brief, Malaysia’s participation in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, has been fruitful as it opens various opportunities with international travel agents.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MALAYSIA’S PARTICIPATION IN ATF 2019:

ASEAN TOURISM FORUM TRAVEL EXCHANGE (ATF TRAVEX)

One of the major programmes which Malaysia has participated in is the ATF TRAVEX, a key platform for networking and contract negotiations with international trade buyers, which is held at the Quang Ninh Exhibition Center, (QNEPEC) from 16 to 18 January 2019. 

The event is made up of numerous activities, including buyers converging at Tourism Malaysia’s booth to engage with representatives of Malaysian tourism players and organisations, the showcase of Malaysia Airlines introducing its product offerings, MHexplorer and MHenterprise, as well as a new Business Suite. Apart from those, there are also Desaru Coast, Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre, Tourism Selangor and Tourism Johor representatives welcoming all interested visitors with full tourism insights at Malaysia booth.

Malaysia has expected to achieve more than 1,000 appointments with international buyers covering 51 countries. The platform is effective in raising awareness among international delegates and media on various exciting tourism products, services and events in Malaysia.

NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION (NTO) COUNTRY MEDIA BRIEFING 

Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and Datuk Musa Yusof the Director General of Tourism Malaysia have shared Malaysia tourism highlights to the media at the NTO Media Briefing on 17 January 2019 at the Meeting Room of the Quang Ninh Exhibition Center, (QNEPEC). The 45-minute briefing is attended by 50 international media members.

Tourism Malaysia shares its plans to enhance tourism industry through airline partnerships, engagement with digital technology, marketing plans to first-and second-tier cities, and penetration into the filming industry.

The Visit Sarawak and Visit Melaka campaigns are also highlighted this year, including Tourism Malaysia’s key upcoming events and initiatives, i.e. ITB Partner Country titleship in March 2019, the 5^th World Tourism Conference from 26 to 28 August 2019 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and the Malaysia-China Cooperation Year in 2019-2020. New products and hotels, i.e. Desaru Coast, Alila Dalit Bay, Sabah, and the world’s first Monopoly Hotel, are also underlined.

Moreover, there are 69 multi-countries travel packages featuring ASEAN destination from 38 travel agents across Southeast Asia Malaysia is one of a significant members creating this initiative of The ASEAN Tourism Packages 2019-2020 to promote ASEAN as single destination with cooperation from all ASEAN members. 

These packages will be promoted through Tourism Malaysia and ASEAN NTOs websites as an online platform to entice more tourists to visit ASEAN.

ASEAN TOURISM AWARDS 2019

On 18 January 2019, a total of 18 Malaysian organisations have won the ASEAN Tourism Awards for ASEAN’s Best Sustainable Tourism Products Recognition for both rural and urban areas. The Malaysian winners are as follows:

3rd ASEAN Homestay Standard (2019-2021)

1.Pachitan Homestay, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
2.Ba’Kelalan HomestaySarawak
3.Misompuru Homestay, Kudat Sabah
4.Banghuris Homestay, Sepang Selangor
5.Rawa Homestay, Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan

2nd ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard (2019-2021)

1.Koperasi Pembangunan Kampung Ulu Legong Berhad, Baling, Kedah
2.Min House Camp, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
3.Kadamaian Tourism Association, Kota Belud, Sabah

1st ASEAN Spa Services Standard (2019-2021)

1.The Banjaran Hotspring Retreat, Ipoh, Perak
2.Swasana Spa, Kuala Lumpur
3.Pangkor Laut Resort (Spa Village), Pangkor, Perak
4.Chill Chill Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor
5.Jari Jari Spa, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

1st ASEAN Public Toilet Standard (2019-2020)

1.Kuala Lumpur International Airport Public Toilet, Sepang, Selangor
2.Foh San Restaurant Public Toilet, Ipoh, Perak
3.Melaka Chinese Mosque Public Toilet, Krubong, Melaka
4.Pantai Rantau Abang Public Toilet, Dungun, Terengganu
5.Plaza Merdeka Shopping Centre Public Toilet, Kuching, Sarawak

MINISTERIAL MEETINGS

ATF is made up of various high-level events, including a meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers and a meeting of the ASEAN NTOs. YB Datuk Mohamaddin will attend various Bilateral Meetings of the ASEAN NTOs and Tourism Ministers such as the 22nd ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, 18th ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers Meeting (China, Japan & Republic of Korea), 7th ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting and the ASEAN Tourism Conference.

-Tourism Malaysia.

http://www.malaysia.travel/