Malaysia targets intra-Asia travel as Middle East tensions reshape demand

 

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Malaysia is positioning itself to capture a surge in intra-regional travel, with industry leaders seeing an opportunity to draw visitors from within Asia. 

At the policy level, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is recalibrating its strategy for Visit Malaysia 2026 to focus more on markets less affected by Middle East airspace disruptions, such as Asia and South-east Asia, while alternative transit options that bypass the Middle East are also being explored, said the ministry’s deputy secretary-general, Chua Choon Hwa. 

He added that the ministry is reviewing its approach to attracting European travellers who typically transit through the Middle East. Efforts are underway to identify alternative routing options, including the use of selected airlines that allow travellers to bypass Middle Eastern transit points. 

Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said the association is stepping up efforts to promote Malaysia across key source markets including South-east Asia, China and India. Initiatives include expanded sales missions, participation in trade shows and industry events, as well as direct engagement with overseas counterparts. 

Early shifts in travel patterns are already emerging, as the war in the Middle East has prompted travellers to reconsider itineraries involving the region, opting instead for destinations perceived as safer. 

Arokia Das Anthony, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours & Travel, said that two Indian groups originally planning holidays in Dubai this month have redirected their trips to Malaysia. 

He added that six more leisure groups from India are confirmed to visit Malaysia between April and June, all of whom had initially intended to travel to the UAE. 

He said: “Malaysia is attractive because of its value for money proposition, easy availability of Indian food and strong direct air connectivity, making it an easy switch for Indian travellers. 

“We are running promotions with our Indian counterparts. While this means working with thinner margins, we are banking on higher volumes to drive overall returns.”

-TTG Asia.

Jakarta has greenlighted resumption of Pontianak-Kuching flights, says Sarawak minister

 

Sarawak Tourism, creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah gives the thumbs up to this year's Rainforest World Music Festival. STR/BRUNO J

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the Indonesian president had given the clearance to resume flights between the suspended Pontianak-Kuching route. 

The route was suspended in the middle of March 2020 due to travel restrictions brought about by the Covid‑19 pandemic. 

Despite being a temporary move, flights on the route remained stayed suspended even after travel restrictions were lifted as countries adapted to the pandemic. 

"They're opening up their skies," Karim told journalists covering the Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.

"We've been asking and asking… restart the Pontianak-Kuching flights. But clearance was not given. "And recently, I was made to understand that they are opening up their skies," he added.

The minister said it's now up to the airlines to start operating the route again. 

Karim said the route had much potential and it could be as profitable as the Kuching-Jakarta route. "The flight frequency from Kuching-Jakarta used to be once a day. Now, it's already twice a day. The (passenger) load is high either way. So, there's big potential there." 

The route, he said, therefore does not benefit Sarawak only, but It will also benefit people in Pontianak. 

"Instead of driving four to five hours (from Kuching ) to Pontianak, they might as well just fly half an hour. That will definitely benefit the tourism industry in Pontianak."

-nst online.

FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 - 2nd Round @ Petronas Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia ( 30 May ~ 1 June 2025 )

 

Get ready, Malaysia! Round 2 of the Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 is coming in hot to the iconic PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit!

Feel the adrenaline, hear the engines roar, and witness Asia’s finest battle it out on home soil!

Date: 30th May - 1st June 2025

Venue: PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

-Asia Road Racing Championship.

PATA inks MoUs with Sarawak Tourism Board, EATOF

 

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed new partnerships with Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) – to build closer cooperation and jointly promote sustainable tourism and resilience efforts in Sarawak – as well as with East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) to establish an alliance for the activation of tourism in Asia-Pacific.

Both Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed during the PATA Annual Summit 2024 (PAS 2024) on May 16 in Macao, China.

To ensure the success of sustainable tourism initiatives in Sarawak, PATA and STB will work together to enhance tourism resilience and sustainable tourism practices, introduce carbon offset projects in Sarawak, engage in joint advocacy and policy development activities, jointly organise events, and collaborate on green hospitality, urban sustainability and biodiversity conservation initiatives.

The first activity outlined in the MoU between STB and PATA is the Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) capacity building programme, which took place in Kuching on May 20 and 21. Tourism officials received training on core modules of the TDR Programme, which covered topics such as risk assessment and management, crisis communication, adaptive capacity improvement, and diversification strategies, among others.

Following this, on May 23 and 24, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector will join a workshop on financial and digital skills, aiming to empower them with greater financial literacy and leverage digitalisation to enhance competitiveness.

Following the TDR Programme, PATA and STB will engage in further activities including a new series of workshops focused on ecotourism and community-based tourism development, waste management and reduction, and the implementation of sustainability certifications and carbon neutrality activities.

EATOF, an international tourism association that strives to develop a tourism community across the East Asia region and provide a solid forum to come together in unity, will join forces with PATA to boost local tourism through various businesses, including mutual collaboration in tourism, youth engagement, big data analysis, and more.

The MoU outlines the target of fostering mutual participation in significant events hosted by each association (namely the EATOF General Assembly and the PATA Annual Summit), sharing exemplary sustainable practices, and facilitating collaborative initiatives spanning from educational endeavours to regional tourism programmes.

Formed in 2000, EATOF currently has 10 member provinces in 10 countries participating, with the EATOF Secretariat located in Gangwon State, South Korea.

-TTG Asia.

Sarawak takes ownership of MASwings

 

Sarawak aims to take over MASwings in order to set up its own boutique airline and improve air connectivity

Sarawak has agreed in principle to take over MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, as a means of setting up its own boutique airline and improving air connectivity with Sarawak.

The takeover was proposed by the federal government, stated Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg, who added that negotiations are currently ongoing.

Sarawak plans to use local state-owned charter operator Hornbill Skyways (Kuching) to operate the new airline’s fleet of turboprop aircraft to connect Sarawak with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and several airports in Indonesia.

Earlier in April, Malaysia’s prime minister Anwar Ibrahim had agreed to the Sarawak state government’s request to form a boutique airline to fly to destinations beyond Borneo.

However, deputy transport minister Hasbi Habibollah revealed in Parliament on June 12 that Sarawak’s application in early April was incomplete and that the Ministry of Transport, through the Malaysian Aviation Commission ,will examine and consider the proposal after a completed application is submitted to the federal government for consideration.

Marketing In Asia reported that a decision on the possible rebranding of MASwings after the takeover remains uncertain – more details will be provided once the takeover procedure concludes.

-TTG Asia.

Malindo Air is now Batik Air

 

Malindo Air has been rebranded as Batik Air (Photo: Leony Eka Prakasa)

Malaysian-based regional airline, Malindo Air, has been rebranded as Batik Air and will commence business under the new identity on April 28.

The rebranding exercise is in line with the Lion Group’s goal to establish a common identity for the full service airlines within the group.

With this approval in place, Batik Air will conduct improved business for seamless transfers, leveraging Kuala Lumpur International Airport as a transit hub for the Lion Group of Airlines.

“With the rebranding exercise and the reopening of the borders taking place in the region, we are very excited for the opportunities presented to us for the potential growth of our airline. With the new brand, we will be able to offer fresh and new services,”said CEO Mushafiz Bin Mustafa Bakri in a press release.

The rebranding exercise will be conducted in phases.

At the same time, Batik Air will be adding a number of B737 aircraft to its existing fleet to service markets it operated in prior to the pandemic.

-TTG Asia.

PATA unveils 8-point tourism recovery plan

 

To support Asia-Pacific’s tourism industry in rebounding from the Covid-19 crisis, PATA has announced its 8-Point Industry Recovery Plan to address both the immediate and strategic needs of its members and the broader industry.

1. PATA Crisis Resource Center
Launched in May 2020, this resource centre is available to all travel sector members and provides various playbooks for various industries ranging from aviation to hospitality, covering several topics including communications resources and sector resource kits.

2. Government members-only roundtable
Earlier this month, PATA launched a roundtable series to share insights and exchange ideas across destinations on restarting travel. The first session of this series featured presentations by select destinations, including Hawaii, the Maldives, and Thailand. The second session just held on August 17 featured COVAX/UNICEF with a briefing on vaccine equity, deployment measures and community acceptance strategies.

In the coming weeks and months, PATA will continue to support its destination members by sourcing subject matter experts and supporting a pan-regional and global dialogue to support the industry recovery.

3. Innovation Workshop Series and Innovation Hub for members
PATA has just launched an Innovation Series of workshop-style webinars designed to deliver practical information to members. Upcoming topics will range from digital marketing, Covid-19 safety best practices, leadership and resiliency skills, destination development, and more.

PATA’s website now also features the Travel Innovations Hub, comprising crowd-sourced travel innovation ideas from around the globe, designed to engage and inspire its members.

4. Ongoing industry trends and forecasts for members
With the ever-changing status of multiple elements influencing tourism recovery, PATA recognises the need for frequent and diverse expert-advised trends and forecast reporting. Through live webinars and research reports supported by its vast network of industry experts, PATA will continue to regularly deliver expert-sourced intelligence reporting to keep members informed.

5. Vaccine equity initiative supporting COVAX/UNICEF
A foundational element to tourism recovery is vaccine equity, deployment, and acceptance across the region and beyond. As such, PATA is supporting the COVAX/UNICEF initiative in the form of advocacy, industry education, fundraising and, if required, logistics sourcing.

6. PATA global community connection
Like the rest of the world, PATA has pivoted from offline/real-life interactions at physical events to online webinars. The association has started hosting hybrid events and will continue to deliver in-destination physical events wherever possible; and complement it by leveraging technology platforms and content to bring its members together globally and in smaller forums to support their business development.

7. Knowledge share and collaboration with global organisations
PATA is in regular collaboration with World Bank, ADB, GIZ and other development organisations and consulting firms on industry leading topics to support the recovery. The association regularly engages with the global tourism and travel task force meetings along with leaders from WTTC, IATA, ACI, WEF, ICAO and others.

8. PATA’s destination resilience initiative
In conjunction with GIZ, the programme initiated development in June with PATA project managing an expert team of 20 subject matter experts. This framework addresses the pillars for resilience including: environment, economy, community, visitors and health & safety. The pilot will be launched in four PATA member destinations.

-TTG Asia.

Singapore-Malaysia causeway light rail link project to begin end-November

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar meets with Malaysia Rapid Transit System representatives on the RTS Link project; photo by The Johor Royal Press Office

 

The much-delayed JB-Singapore Rapid Transit (RTS) Link that connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru with Woodlands in Singapore may finally break ground at the end of this month, following a virtual launch planned on November 22 in conjunction with the birthday of the sultan of Johor Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

The Johor Royal Press Office said the ruler has been presented with project details, including launch arrangements and final designs for the station.

The RTS Link is expected to ease causeway congestions, improve connectivity between the two countries and generate shared economic and social benefits. When complete, it will be a standalone Light Rail Transit (LRT) System with the capacity to serve up to 10,000 commuters during peak periods, for every hour and in each direction.

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia’s Firefly to launch jet flights in early 2021

 

Firefly Airlines will start jet operations from 1Q2021, as part of parent Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s revamped long-term business plan, with a focus on strengthening the revenue streams of each subsidiary as its premium carrier brand Malaysia Airlines (MAB) teeter on the brink.

Under the plan, Firefly will add up to 10 narrow body jets to its fleet in phases, serving the domestic, South-east Asia and Asia-Pacific markets out of Penang International Airport.

The low-cost carrier will be complementing sister company MAB in serving the leisure market, while diversifying its base connecting secondary cities in Malaysia to East Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

It will leverage on available resources and talents from within MAG, with the possibility of deploying the Boeing 737-800 aircraft from MAB. This will give the national carrier room to focus on its network serving the premium market, according to MAG.

MAG CEO Izham Ismail said: “Based on available forecasts, domestic and short-haul travel will be most preferred in the current environment, hence, it makes commercial sense for Firefly to supply this demand from the northern region. This is in line with the group’s enhanced Long-Term Business Plan, which has been realigned to suit the current and future environment post-Covid-19, with a focus on strengthening the revenue streams of each subsidiary.”

With the new jet operations, Firefly will offer a flexible service concept, with product unbundling to suit the leisure-focused and price-sensitive customers, providing a more significant value proposition.

The setup of Firefly’s Penang hub jet operations will require minimal investment by MAG in 2021, with an expected increase in production, measured in average seat per kilometre, by 36 per cent over the next five years, MAG said.

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia aims to resume leisure travel with neighbours by 1Q2021

 

Malaysia aims to get travel bubbles with neighbours like Singapore and Thailand up and running by 1Q2021; causeway linking Johor Bahru in Malaysia to Singapore pictured 

Tourism Malaysia is hopeful that cross-border tourism for leisure will reopen in stages sometime in the first quarter of 2021.

Its director-general, Musa Yusof, said in a local television programme recently that the tourism board was keen on resuming cross-border leisure travel with neighbouring Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia.

“What we mean by cross-border tourism is situations where one doesn’t necessarily have to get on a plane to travel here. We are looking at countries such as Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and even, Indonesia. These are the four nations that we are examining and reviewing as to whether travel can be allowed,” he was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying.

Malaysian outbound agents whom TTG Asia contacted said they were getting packages ready in anticipation of the reopening of borders to outbound leisure travellers. Those interviewed opined that neighbouring countries will be the first to allow reciprocal leisure travel with Malaysia and predicted it would take place sometime next year.

Adam Kamal, head of procurement and domestic market at ICE Holidays, believes that Thailand and Singapore will be among the first to establish leisure travel bubbles with Malaysia, and is forging plans for that.

“We are in the midst of researching what packages will be sellable, and we think it will be to destinations where Malaysians can self-drive or travel by land such as Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai in Thailand, or Singapore,” he shared, adding that family and nature-based packages are likely to do well.

An agent from the southern state of Johor, Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager, New Asia Holiday Tours & Travel, shared that he is repackaging existing tours to Singapore with accommodation at major hotel brands.

He explained: “International hotel chains have the marketing advantage to showcase what additional measures are in place in terms of hygiene and cleanliness protocols. Personal safety concerns during this pandemic is of utmost importance to guests.”

Looking ahead, he believes that Malaysian travellers will favour nature-based and soft adventure tourism, over shopping in malls, given the lower risk of Covid transmission associated with outdoor activities.

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia mulls travel bubbles with neighbours

Malaysia eyes regional travel bubbles to bring back tourists;

Christ Church Melaka in Malacca City, Malaysia pictured

Malaysia’s tourism authorities are banking on regional travel bubbles to kickstart tourism recovery post-Covid-19, as international travel from medium and longhaul markets will take a longer time to recover.

Speaking at an online forum hosted by the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA) on the way forward for tourism in the region, Noor Zari Hamat, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, shared that Malaysia has started bilateral talks with neighbouring countries to set up travel bubbles once their international borders reopen.

Noor said: “If the concept is successful, it can be replicated with similar arrangements with all ASEAN member states and other countries that are free from Covid-19.”

Malaysia is dependent on intra-ASEAN travel which made up 69 per cent of foreign arrivals to Malaysia last year. Intra-ASEAN travel is also important to the survival and sustainability of the region’s tourism industry. South-east Asia’s population of 622 million contributed more than 40 per cent to the total international tourists arrivals in the region last year.

Noor called on South-east Asian NTOs to strengthen partnership with the private sectors to stimulate tourism demand via strategic marketing and promotional efforts on digital platforms, while the relevant bodies work on developing the safety and health protocols for the post-pandemic period.

Fellow speaker, Benito Bengzon Jr, undersecretary for tourism development, Philippines Department of Tourism, shared that the agency is supportive of a unified move for the region-wide resumption of flights.

He noted that while the timeline for each country’s reopening of commercial travel will differ, the Philippines is already prepping for the rebound. “New normal protocols for airports, airlines, road transport companies and other service providers are already in place,” he said.

He also pointed out that at a special meeting of ASEAN tourism ministers on April 29, there was agreement to work together to stimulate tourism and build a resilient, sustainable and inclusive tourism model in the region.

Both Wachira Wichaiwatana, vice president of Thailand Travel Agents Association, and Nunung Rusmiati, president of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), shared the view that intra-ASEAN travel will recover before international travel from medium and longhaul destinations.

Nunung added that short-haul destinations, private tours and open-air activities away from crowds are preferred by Indonesian travellers, based on a survey ASITA had conducted.

Ritchie Tuano, secretary-general at FATA, shared that post-Covid-19 will see more FIT movements or small groups of friends and families travelling together, as opposed to a bus load of travellers.

But for now, domestic travel reigns supreme as borders remain closed in most South-east Asian countries. Thus, he urged industry players and NTOs to work together to rebuild travel confidence for people to travel domestically first, ahead of the reopening of the region’s borders.

FATA president, Tan Kok Liang, who is also president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said: “Strict physical distancing measures, temperature checks and disinfection and sanitation procedures are among the protocols that are obligatory and will rebuild travellers’ confidence. 

(Our members) are also limiting risks through the extensive use of QR codes and contactless travel approaches where possible.”

-TTG Asia.

AirAsia unflinching as it darts towards Davao

photo: AirAsia facebook

Undaunted by uncertainties in Mindanao, AirAsia will connect Davao to Kuala Lumpur beginning December 21, with plans to develop the city into a hub for the BIMP-EAGA initiative that comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The 180-pax, four-times weekly services will be the second carrier to connect Davao to South-east Asia after Singapore’s SilkAir service, despite efforts from the Philippines to attract foreign carriers to Davao.

Speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Davao Investment Conference last Friday, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said: “Life is all about taking risks… (it comes down to) how you market Davao. I really hope the airport supports us (in terms of) incentives and marketing.”

This would not be the first time AirAsia is opening a route that “nobody dreamt of doing”, Fernandes said, referring to the airline’s Macau services, the first from South-east Asia, and other pioneering routes including to Bandung, Langkawi and Clark.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Dexter Comendador added that the airline is planning flights from Davao to Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Brunei and other destinations in the BIMP-EAGA corridors.

Comendador said Davao’s airport is willing to waive airport landing fees and other charges while BIMP-EAGA doesn’t charge travel taxes, making it feasible for the carrier to serve the region.

This would help alleviate a key challenge for LCCs, as he said that airport fees constitute one of the biggest costs for budget airlines, even higher than passenger fares in some instances.

-TTG Asia.

PATA elects new board, announces Langkawi as 2018 travel mart host

(From left) Jetwing Hotels Sri Lanka's Hiran Cooray; Tourism Vancouver's Stephen Pearce; Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality's Peter Semone; PATA's Pairoj Kiatthunsamai; Capilano University's Chris Bottrill; TripAdvisor's Sarah Mathews; Sanctuary Resorts' Andrew Jones; Centara Hotels & Resorts' Ben Montgomery; Guam Visitors Bureau's Jon Nathan Denight; Macao Government Tourism Office's Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; PATA's Mario Hardy; Malaysia Airports Holdings' Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah; and Hong Kong Tourism Board's Anthony Lau

Sarah Mathews, TripAdvisor’s head of destination marketing Asia-Pacific, has been elected as chairperson of PATA executive board at the PATA Annual Summit in Negombo, Sri Lanka last week.

Elected vice chairperson in May 2016, the Hong Kong-based Matthews replaces Andrew Jones who remains a member of the board as its past chairman.

PATA also elected five new members to its executive board – Chris Bottrill, dean at the Faculty of Global and Community Studies, School of Tourism Management, Capilano University; Hiran Cooray, chairman, Jetwing Hotels; Jon Nathan Denight, president and CEO, Guam Visitors Bureau; Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah, general manager marketing, Malaysia Airports Holdings; and Peter Semone, senior advisor, Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.

Other executive board members include Stephen Pearce, vice president marketing, Tourism Vancouver; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director, Macao Government Tourism Office; Pilar Laguaña, chairperson, PATA Micronesia Chapter; and Ben Montgomery, director of business relations management, Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Bottrill was elected as the new vice chairperson, while Pearce remains the board’s secretary/treasurer.

Anthony Lau, executive director, Hong Kong Tourism Board; Soon-Hwa Wong, regional director – Asia-Pacific, Blacklane; and Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO and co-founder of Tripfez, have also been appointed to the executive board as non-voting members.

The recent summit also saw the announcement of Langkawi as the host of the 2018 PATA Travel Mart (PTM).

Hosted by Tourism Malaysia and Langkawi Development Authority, the mart will take place at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, the island’s largest convention venue.

Azizan Noordin, CEO of Langkawi Development Authority, who received his Life Membership Award at the summit, said that PTM will "further promote Langkawi as an international resort island destination".

-TTG Asia.
www.malaysia.travel
www.lada.gov.my

New ASEANTA committee begins term

ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) has announced its management committee for the 2017-2019 term, following elections at its recent AGM in Kuala Lumpur.

Devinder Ohri, president of National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, and Sam Cheah, president of Malaysian Association of Hotels, will continue serving as president and deputy president respectively.

Margaret Heng, executive director of Singapore Hotel Association, is ASEANTA’s new secretary general, replacing Datuk Hamzah Rahmat, president of Malaysia Association of Tour & Travel Agents.

Retained as treasurer for another term is Supawan Tanomkieatipume, president of Thai Hotels Association.

Newly elected committee members include Sabli Arsad, president of the Association of Travel Agents Brunei; Charlie Yu, consultant, Philippine Airlines; and Jackie Thet, president of Union of Myanmar Travel Association.

ASEANTA is currently focusing on VisitAsean@50 initiatives such as developing a website on ASEAN Tourism Honours List and the ASEAN Sky Caravan & ASEANTA Excellence Awards 2017 event, which will be held on August 8, 2017 (ASEAN Day) in Jakarta.

-TTG Asia.

Malindo adds more flights from July 1 for Hari Raya

KUALA LUMPUR: Malindo Air is adding new flight frequencies across its domestic network comprising of scheduled flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 

It said on Tuesday the new frequencies will take effect in conjunction with the Hari Raya balik kampung holidays from July 1, 2016 onwards.

Malindo Air said the new domestic routes are from KLIA to Kota Bharu (21 times weekly) and KLIA to Miri (seven times weekly).

It also added flights between KLIA and Kota Kinabalu (35 times weekly); KLIA and Kuching (28 times weekly); KLIA and Penang (28 times weekly).
 

Malindo also added extra frequencies to international travel routes from KLIA to Don Mueang (Bangkok), Jakarta and Dhaka.

Its mid-year promotion sales, which begins on Wednesday, is offering fares starting from as low as RM19 one-way inclusive of 40kg for business and 30kg for economy class traveller’s baggage allowance, light refreshments/meals and in-flight entertainment.

Sales start from June 15 to 30 for travels from June 15 to Oct 31, 2016.

Malindo Air CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said the new services right ahead of the Raya festivities begin would enable families to travel home.

“As we recently took delivery of two more aircraft, we are able to introduce new services and more frequencies, as part of our strategy to aggressively place Malindo Air in the growing market,” he said.
-thestar online.

ATF 2016 Showed Progress In ASEAN Tourism Cooperation

PUTRAJAYA, 28 January 2016 - Malaysia showed strong support for the 35^th ASEAN Tourism Forum in Manila, the Philippines, which was held from 18 to 25 January. Led by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, YB Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, the Malaysian delegation, comprising 42 sellers from hotels and resorts, tour agencies and state tourism boards wooed international buyers at the ATF TRAVEX, which took place at the SMX Convention Centre, from 20 to 22 January 2016. The Malaysian delegation to the ATF 2016 includes Secretary General of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr. Ong Hong Peng and  Deputy Director General (Advertising and Digital), Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Abdul Khani Daud.

ASEAN TOURISM FORUM TRAVEL EXCHANGE (ATF TRAVEX)

The ATF TRAVEX 2016 was an effective platform for members of the Malaysian delegation to raise awareness among international delegates and media on the many new and exciting tourism products, services and events in the country.

Malaysia made more than 1,500 appointments with international buyers, representing 61 countries at the ASEAN Tourism Forum Travel Exchange (ATF TRAVEX) 2016 in Manila, Philippines.

 

Deputy Director General (Advertising and Digital), Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Abdul Khani Daud said buyers were interested in updates of new tourism products, services and events in Malaysia, to expand their tour packages of Malaysia.

The international media also came to the Malaysia Pavillion to obtain information on new products and events in Malaysia to promote them in their home countries.

The TRAVEX, an important component of ATF, is the longest-running annual ASEAN leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers. The key component of the 3-day event was the travel trade-only exhibition and business meetings. It serves as a dedicated platform for travel and tourism suppliers in ASEAN to explore business opportunities with international buyers and vice versa.

This year’s ATF was attended by 457 buyers and 1,000 exhibitors with 467 booths, representing companies & properties from 10 ASEAN countries, as well as 183 international media.   

ASEAN FOR ASEAN – INTRA-REGIONAL TOURISM COOPERATION

On 22 January, the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations of ASEAN revealed the ‘ASEAN for ASEAN’ campaign to promote travel within the ASEAN region.

Nine different tourism themes were highlighted under this campaign with each NTO tasked to drive internal regional tourism in 2016, as well as to generate awareness of the ASEAN tourism brand.

Malaysia is responsible for promoting ASEAN adventure products within ASEAN and international markets in a single booklet, called ASEAN Adventure Travel. The booklet is targeted at youth, and is available on www.aseantourism.travel, as well as www.malaysia.travel.

TOURISM MALAYSIA NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Tourism Malaysia hosted a business luncheon for buyers and media on 21 January at the SMX Convention Centre.

A total of 500 guests received a warm welcome by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia. During the luncheon, she highlighted Malaysia’s new tourism products and services, as well as significant events in 2016.

The guests were also entertained by El Gamma Penumbra, the champion of the first Asia’s Got Talent, the Malaysian-born singer Annabelle Vo Pei Pei, and the Filipino soprano singer Jade Rubisco.              

NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION (NTO) MEDIA BRIEFING

Dato’ Abdul Khani Daud delivered a presentationto the media at the NTO Media Briefing on 21 January at the Meeting Room of the SMX Convention Centre. The 45-minute briefing was attended by some 50 international media members.

He highlighted Malaysia’s role in ASEAN Tourism, Tourism Malaysia’s strategic direction in 2016 and new tourism products such as the Malaysia Super Sale, the Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village, the Shore Gallery, and the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), to name a few.

OTHER EFFORTS TO PROMOTE MALAYSIA AT ATF 2016:

During the ATF, the Deputy Tourism Minister had attended various Bilateral Meeting of the ASEAN NTOs and Tourism Ministers such as the 19^th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 15^th ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan & Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers Meeting and the ASEAN Tourism Conference.

The Deputy Tourism Minister also paid a courtesy call on Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) H.E. Madam Yang Xiuping, to explore the possibility of forging closer tourism cooperation between ASEAN and China, and specifically Malaysia through the ACC platform.

On 22 January, Datuk Mas Ermiyati together with Tourism Ministers from other ASEAN countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the representatives from China, Japan, and Republic of Korea during the launched of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan, 2016-2025 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

They also launched the ‘Cruise Southeast Asia, feel the warmth” branding. This new branding, inspired by the waves, highlights the vibrant diversity, the culture and warmth of the people of Southeast Asia, as well as the close relationships between ASEAN Member States.

ASEAN HOMESTAY AWARD

A total of five Malaysia’s homestays comprising Homestay Banghuris; Homestay Kampung Lonek; Homestay Kampung Taman Sedia; Homestay Kampung Santubong; and Homestay Miso Walai received the ASEAN Homestay Award at the first ASEAN Homestay Award Ceremony in Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila.

ASEAN GREEN HOTEL AWARD

Ten hotels from Malaysia comprising Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu; Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa; Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa; The Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur; The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan; Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort, Sarawak; The Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa Penang; Miri Marriot Resort & Spa; Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur; and Holiday Inn Resort Penang won the ASEAN Green Hotel Award at the first ASEAN Green Hotel Award Ceremony in Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila.

In brief, Malaysia’s participation in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016 in Manila, Philippines, had been fruitful as opened up various opportunities with international travel agents.

The ATF 2017 will convene on 16-20 January 2017 in Singapore, with the theme of “Shaping our Tourism Journey Together”.

Thailand has been confirmed as the host of ATF 2018. 

-Tourism Malaysia.