Malaysia Receives Top Honours in Scuba Diving Magazine's 2025 Readers Choice Awards

 

Malaysia has recently been acknowledged as a leading diving destination in the esteemed Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2025 Readers Choice Awards, clinching top honours in several categories.

In the highly competitive rankings of the Pacific and Indian Oceans category, Malaysia achieved remarkable placements, including:

● 1st Place in both Beginners and Best Value categories, showcasing its accessible dive opportunities and affordability for divers and families.

● 2nd Place in Snorkelling and Shore Diving, reflecting the country’s diverse underwater experiences and stunning coastal environments.

● Top 5 recognition in Best Overall and Macro Life, emphasising Malaysia’s rich biodiversity and vibrant marine habitats.

● Top 10 for Wall Diving, showcasing its spectacular vertical drop-offs and diverse marine life.

● Acknowledged as One of the Best for Big Animals, Advanced Diving, Wreck Diving, and Photography, highlighting the unique encounters and unforgettable experiences awaiting divers.

For more information on Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards, visit https://www.scubadiving.com/tags/readers-choice-awards

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Boosts ASEAN Tourism With Batik Air’s New Bangkok-Johor Bahru Route

JOHOR BAHRU, 1 December 2024 – Tourism Malaysia is proud to celebrate the inaugural Batik Air flight connecting Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, Thailand, to Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening tourism and fostering bilateral ties between the two nations.

As part of the celebration, Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Batik Air, will host a 3-day, 2-night familiarisation trip for Thai tour agents. This trip will showcase Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and stunning natural landscapes, offering participants a firsthand experience of the country's renowned hospitality and unique attractions. 

The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism ties and foster greater collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia has consistently shown support for new flight routes and airline expansions, recognising their importance in increasing tourist arrivals and supporting economic growth. The addition of this new route underscores Tourism Malaysia’s commitment to connecting Malaysia with key ASEAN markets.

The inaugural flight takes place on Sunday, 1 December 2024. The new route, OD531, operates seven flights per week, departing Bangkok at 01:45 p.m. and arriving in Johor Bahru at 05:15 p.m. This route, served by a Boeing 737-800 (B738), offers travellers convenient access between northern Thailand and southern Malaysia.

YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Batik Air on this new route and to host the familiarisation trip for tour agents from Thailand. This initiative aligns with our goals of advancing ASEAN cooperation and regional tourism while emphasising Malaysia’s dedication as it assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

He added, “Strengthening connectivity between key cities in ASEAN and second-tier destinations like Johor Bahru is vital to fostering greater regional integration and showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings.”

The increased seating capacity on the DMK-JHB route provides opportunities for travel agencies to create innovative packages for the Thai market, encouraging more travellers to discover Johor Bahru. This effort will diversify Malaysia’s tourism landscape, cater to a broader range of traveller preferences, and further solidify Johor Bahru as a gateway to unique Malaysian experiences.

By supporting the inaugural flight and organising the familiarisation trip, Tourism Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to enhancing tourism exchange, fostering cultural understanding, and strengthening economic cooperation between both countries. This initiative also underscores Malaysia's role within the ASEAN region and aligns with the vision of Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in receipts.

For more information and to learn more about the familiarisation trip and other tourism initiatives, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website or contact our press office.

-Tourism Malaysia.

PENYAYANG anjur Batik Fun Walk promosi batik, bantu pesakit kanser

 

Pengerusi PENYAYANG, Nori Abdullah (tengah) bersama Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif, Datuk Leela Mohd Ali menyampaikan papan penghargaan penajaan kepada wakil The Orange Tree Consultancy, Geoff Kronenburg.

KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (PENYAYANG) akan menganjurkan program Batik Fun Walk pada pertengahan bulan hadapan, acara riadah untuk mempromosi batik sebagai seni warisan negara dan penggunaannya sebagai pakaian harian serta santai.

Acara kali ke-19 bertempat di Lanai, Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia (MaTiC) di sini pada 15 Disember itu dianjurkan PENYAYANG dengan kerjasama Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC) yang sesuai disertai semua lapisan masyarakat bersama ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan.

Dalam satu kenyataan hari ini, PENYAYANG memaklumkan, majlis perasmian dan pelepasan peserta acara itu yang dijadual bermula dengan sesi pendaftaran pada jam 6.30 pagi, dijadual disempurnakan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

"Acara akan bermula dan tamat di Lanai MaTiC, dengan perjalanan melalui Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P Ramlee, Persiaran Petronas dan seterusnya memasuki Jalan Ampang dan akan kembali ke Lanai. Jarak perjalanan 2.5 kilometer," menurut kenyataan itu.

Yuran penyertaan RM45 dikenakan bagi peserta dewasa yang akan turut menerima kain batik, RM20 tanpa kain batik bagi kanak-kanak berusia antara tujuh hingga 12 tahun, manakala percuma tanpa batik dan pingat untuk kanak-kanak berusia bawah tujuh tahun yang ditemani penjaga.

"Pendaftaran juga boleh dibuat secara dalam talian melalui pautan http://bit.ly/Batikfunwalk2024 atau melalui https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/37797/batik-fun-walk-2024," menurut PENYAYANG.

Hadiah turut disediakan untuk kategori peserta paling muda, peserta paling tua, penyertaan berkumpulan paling ramai, individu berpakaian batik paling kreatif dan keluarga berpakaian batik paling kreatif, selain hadiah utama dan cabutan bertuah.

"Kutipan daripada yuran penyertaan akan disumbangkan kepada Penyayang Pesakit Kanser (PPK), kumpulan sokongan yang memberikan khidmat dan bantuan kepada pesakit kanser melalui pusat Positive Image di Hospital Putrajaya, Institut Kanser Negara dan di Seri Kembangan.

"PPK turut bertanggungjawab dalam program kesukarelawan dan sokongan untuk pesakit kanser serta keluarga mereka," katanya menambah peserta acara itu yang dijayakan dengan kerjasama rakan strategik, MaTiC dan MCM CoMetro 5 Pillars Venture, yang menamatkan perjalanan layak menerima pingat Batik Fun Walk 2024.

Antara aktiviti lain akan diadakan pada acara turut mendapat sokongan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) dan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) serta barisan penaja, termasuk The Orange Tree Consultancy itu adalah kuiz, cabaran kecergasan, putar dan menang, persembahan dan nyanyian, aksi badut serta cabutan bertuah.

-berita harian online.

Tourism Malaysia And VietJet Air Celebrate First Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur Flights

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 November 2024 – Tourism Malaysia and VietJet Air are pleased to announce the launch of direct flights between Hanoi (HAN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL), marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional air connectivity.

The new service will be operated by the airline’s modern Airbus A320 fleet, offering a weekly capacity of 1,260 seats. With seven return flights per week, travellers from both cities can now enjoy convenient, reliable, and affordable travel options for business, leisure, and cultural exchanges with the following flight schedules:

• VJ905: Hanoi (HAN) - Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Departs 07:20, Arrives 11:40
• VJ906: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Hanoi (HAN): Departs 12:40, Arrives 15:05

This new service complements VietJet Air's existing daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur, further strengthening the airline's presence in Malaysia and enhancing travel options for passengers.

To celebrate this milestone, a special reception will be held to mark the arrival of the inaugural VietJet Air flight from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur on 28th November 2024. The event will be attended by dignitaries from Tourism Malaysia, VietJet Air, and other key stakeholders.

"We are delighted to collaborate with VietJet Air to introduce this new route, which will significantly boost tourism and economic ties between Vietnam and Malaysia. This initiative aligns with our efforts to enhance air connectivity and provide more affordable travel options, especially during the year-end and Lunar New Year festive season," said YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.

This new route is a step forward in strengthening Malaysia's position as a regional hub, perfectly aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026’s goal to attract international visitors while promoting sustainable and accessible travel options.

VietJet Air, Vietnam's largest private carrier, continues to expand its network with modern and efficient aircraft. With a fleet of over 100 Airbus jets, VietJet Air is committed to providing safe, comfortable, and cost-effective flights to various destinations across Asia-Pacific. Connecting the vibrant cityscapes of Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, VietJet Air offers travellers an exciting journey through its ever-growing network.

For more information and bookings, visit www.vietjetair.com.

-Tourism Malaysia.

MAG’s First A330neo Aircraft Lands in Kuala Lumpur

 

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of national carrier Malaysia Airlines, welcomed the arrival of its first Airbus 330-900 (A330neo) aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines today as part of the Group’s fleet modernisation strategy. 

The aircraft, bearing registration number 9M-MNG, departed from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France on 28 November 2024 at 8:52pm local time and safely arrived at its home base at KL International Airport (KUL) on 29 November 2024 at 4:52 pm local time. Prior to its arrival, the aircraft was escorted by a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jet and performed a spectacular flypast, offering plane spotters an extraordinary sight. Upon arrival, the aircraft was greeted with a water salute. 

The journey of flight MH5039 took a total flight time of 13 hours and was flown by Captain Khairul Syukri Khalid, Captain Azim Sham Che Din, Captain Zainuddin Hussein and Captain Najwan Reshan Nahdan Rengganathan. 

MAG’s A330neo aircraft comprises 297 seats (28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy Class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom) and will be deployed on long-haul routes across Asia and Australasia. 

In August 2022, MAG signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon for the acquisition of 20 A330neo aircraft which are scheduled to be delivered through to 2028.

-Malaysia Airlines.