Make Malaysia The Talk Of Tourists - Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Tourism industry players are urged to play a more dynamic role to provide tourists with the best experience so that Malaysia will always be on their lips.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said an extensive and effective marketing strategy is needed, right from the entry point into the country to the hotels, to create an attractive and unforgettable experience for tourists.

"To boost the country's tourism industry to a higher level, Malaysia has to have a product which is different, be it in physical term, the ecosystem, courtesy and the best service for tourists.

"Never look at tourists as a chance for making excessive profits, including to cheat by marking up prices, like taxi drivers who do not use the meter," he added. He said the choice of providing an attractive or bad experience for tourists is in the hands of players in the industry.

The prime minister was speaking at a dinner hosted by the National Tourism Council of Malaysia (NTCM) here tonight. Also present was NTCM president Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin.

In a related development, Najib said the growth of the tourism industry gave Malaysia the confidence to achieve the target of 36 million tourist arrivals in 2020 with revenue of RM168 billion, as stated in the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA). "For this year alone, we are targetting 29.4 million tourist arrivals with spending at RM89 billion.

"We believe, with the Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015 campaign, as a continuation of the Visit Malaysia Year, the target can be achieved on the condition that all parties involved play their respective roles," he added.

Najib said Malaysia is not only rich in natural environment as a tourist attraction, but also various world-class infrastructure which continue to draw attention and made it the choice destination for tourists.

"In fact, in terms of shopping satisfaction, Malaysia is the choice because of the price and quality factors," he said.

He also announced the rebranding of NTCM to Malaysian Tourism Council (MyTC), which he believed would give it a new breath of life and motivation for all parties involved to continue to ensure the success of the country's tourism industry.
-bernama.

25 Million Tourist Arrivals Achievable This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) - The drop in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year by one per cent compared to the same period last year is not something worrying as it will pick up during the subsequent quarters, said Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit. "Normally, the number of tourist arrivals for the first three months is not encouraging but will increase after that, especially during the summer.

"Usually, at the beginning of the year people around the world are busy at work and they go for holidays in the summer, including to Malaysia," he told a news conference after opening the Malaysian Tourism Fair (MTF) 2011, here Friday. In view of this, Dawos was confident that the 25 million tourist arrival target set for this year could be achieved. He said tourists would choose to visit Malaysia as "it is blessed with beautiful natural attractions, government stability and friendly people, and is safe in terms of security".

Twenty-four million tourists visited Malaysia last year with projected revenue of RM56.5 billion from their expenditure, up by 5.8 per cent from RM53.4 billion earned in the previous year. "The average spending per capita for international tourists is around RM3,000 and for domestic tourists, it is about RM300 because it is cheap to travel in this country," Dawos said.

Meanwhile, National Tourism Council president who is also the MTF organising chairman Datuk Shamsul Falak Abdul Kadir said, this year's fair showcased every aspect and sector of Malaysia's tourism industry to encourage Malaysians to travel within the country. "We can see that every sector is related to tourism. Therefore, other ministries and public agencies and bodies should come forward and capitalise on the avenues available such as MTF to jointly promote local tourism as a whole," he said. The three-day MTF from today is held at the Putra World Trade Centre.
-Bernama.

-Photo: Pelancongan Kini

Luxury Tourism Fair (LuxtoFair '11)

Date	:	20th - 22nd May 2011
Venue	:	Hall 4, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Time	:	Fri      20th    10.00am - 8.00pm Sat     21st    10.00am - 8.00pm Sun    22nd   10.00am - 7.00 pm
Official Opening	:	3.00pm Fri 20th May 2011
Organised By	:	National Tourism Council of Malaysia (NTCM)
Endorsed & Supported By	:	Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia
Exhibition Managers	:	Asia Fairs Sdn Bhd
No of Booths	:	130
Expected Exhibitors	:	70 - 80
Other Sub-Events	:	Industry/ trade session Cocktail Reception (invited guests) Stage Performances Travel Fashion Show Stage Presentations/ performance

 * Concurrent Event
The Malaysian Tourism Fair 2011

EXHIBITORS PROFILE

luxury hotels/resorts collections
independent luxury and boutique hotels/resorts
health spas, spa resorts and health retreats
golf clubs and resorts
MICE venue operators and facilitators
airlines
executive car hire and transport providers
luxury cruise providers
yatches and yatching holiday providers
medical and health facilitators and centres
travel agents and tour operators
recreational and sporting facilitators and operators
clubs / memberships
providers of unique experiences
providers for exclusive adventure/sporting holidays
luxury brand products retailers
F&B outlets and product suppliers


VISITORS PROFILE

high end luxury travel buyers and individuals
luxury business travellers
VIPs, CEOs, corporate directors and senior managers
entrepreneurs
business and society elites
socialites and celebrities
expatriates
embassies
corporate companies and organizations
ministries and government agencies
foreign travellers and communities
visiting tourists
private travel arrangers/consultants
adventure/sporting travel organisers
professional conference organizers
trade visitors including wholesales, agents and FAM trip participants
local and international media, travel writers and publishers
              

WHO ARE THE LUXURY TRAVELLERS?
 
Based on their wealth, they can be categorised into three categories
 
Tycoons and the very high-networth are able to fulfil all material requirements and fantasies. Everything they require would have to be customized to suit their own lifestyle, time and expectations; be it their own chartered planes, stretched limousines and other personalized requirements.

Very Rich and wealthy may not have the financial wealth and requirements as the tycoons. Nevertheless, they also demand impeccable door-to-door and personalised service and quality products as they seek for exclusive and unique experiences.
 
Rich people demands qualititative products and services all round. These people are still working to maintain and enjoy their lifestyle and therefore, despite having the financial resources they will strongly consider value-for-money deals as a matter of principle. Travel patterns are partly business and partly leisure. This category makes up the major part of the niche' luxury market.
 
The LuxtoFair is targeting to attract and draw visitors mainly from the third category of this market segment.  This is the more 'conventional' luxury market, the elite travellers who seeks exclusive and unique experiences as part of their lifestyle. Their image and status may affect their travel patterns and requirements.  This market segment also includes the aspiring luxury travellers and the savvy luxury shoppers, the 'new money' in luxury market who are discerning customers seeking value for money bargains and deals. Besides all the above, there are also the travellers who are merely seeking unique experiences as lifestyle experiences.
 

WHAT CAN THE EXHIBITORS STRATEGICALLY PROMOTE AT THE FAIR?
 
-    high quality products and services
-    pampering and lifestyle experiences
-    exclusive and unique experience vacation packages
-    MICE packages, especially for corporate meetings/outings
-    wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages
 
A fundamental prerequisite for addressing this market segment is to offer high quality products and services, exclusivity, uniqueness and qualitative experiences. The affluents have the money to spend but at the same time, are experienced and smart travellers.  They are compelled to search for 'value and deals'; key words in current consumer market. Exhibitors, besides promoting their respective products and services should consider offering attractive and promotional packages and deals during the Fair.

-National Tourism Council of Malaysia.

Malaysia Tourism Fair 2011

Date: 20~22 May 2011

Venue: Hall 3, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Time:

20 May 2011 - 10.00am~8.00pm

21 May 2011 - 10.00am~8.00pm

22 May 2011 - 10.00am~7.00pm

Organiser: National Tourism Council Malaysia

www.ntcm.com.my

Third chapter of three-day Tourism Fair to be held in May

The third Malaysian Tourism Fair (MTF) will be held this year at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur from May 20 to 22. Organised by the National Tourism Council of Malaysia (NTCM) and supported by Tourism Malaysia, this is the third time the annual fair is being held. MTF organising chairman and NTCM president Datuk Shamsul Falak Abdul Kadir said as the premier domestic tourism fair, the MTF will showcase what Malaysia has to offer to the domestic market which includes not only Malaysians but the international communities including expatriates who are residing in the country.

“All sectors of tourism will be represented and this includes destinations, products and attractions. eco-tourism, heritage and culture, health and wellness, MICE, sport and events, lifestyle and leisure as well as tourism related services,” he told a press conference. He added that last year the fair had some 190 booths were taken up and this year they were targeting 240 booths and 30,000 visitors to the three-day fair.

Key exhibitors include Tourism Malaysia, Stare Tourism Boards, organisations, hotels, resorts, airlines, spas, travel agents, tour operators, product and handicraft suppliers, bridal houses and others. Tourism Malaysia deputy director general Datuk Amirrudin Abu, who was also present at the press conference, said they were participating in the fair as part their effort to encourage domestic tourism. “Supporting the event, Tourism Malaysia will be participating with 60 booths and will promote the CutiCuti 1Malaysia which is a known branding of tourism throughout Malaysia,” he said.

“The domestic tourism industry not only brings economic benefits for the country but also promotes national integration as we learn to appreciate the diversity of Malaysia,” he added.
Consumer contests, lucky draws and other events will be organised in conjunction with the fair.
RHB Bank Berhad is the Gold Sponsor and official card of the fair. Admission to the fair is free. For more information on the MTF, contact the NTCM Secretariat at 03-9283 2268 or 019-361 1972.
-thestar online.
http://www.ntcm.com.my/