Tahun Melawat Negeri Sembilan diselaras bersama Tahun Melawat Malaysia

 

AMINUDDIN Harun (dua dari kiri) menyampaikan sumbangan kepada anak yatim pada program Street Iftar-Under The Stars Bersama Rakan Strategik MPPD di Laluan Jalan Pasar dan Jalan Baharu, Bandar Port Dickson, semalam.-UTUSAN/MOHD. SHAHJEHAN MAAMIN.

PORT DICKSON: Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan akan menyelaraskan program Tahun Melawat Negeri Sembilan bersama dengan Tahun Melawat Malaysia sekali gus dilihat mampu memberikan impak lebih besar kepada industri pelancongan dalam negara.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun berkata, keputusan itu diambil selepas mengambil beberapa perkara kemudahan dan infrastruktur sedia ada serta projek-projek menaik taraf sebelum menerima kedatangan pelancong. 

“Setakat ini, kami belum mengadakan sebarang perbincangan, kami melihat kemudahan infrastruktur yang ada selepas Covid-19, banjir itu harus diberikan tumpuan. 

“Sekiranya dilaksanakan secara bersama, tentu dapat buat promosi yang lebih besar dan lebih meriah. Kami serah kepada pihak Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya untuk buat sebarang perbincangan. Kami serah kepada pihak kementerian dan akan sambut baik apa sahaja keputusan ,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas hadir ke program Street Iftar-Under The Stars Bersama Rakan Strategik Majlis Perbandaran Port Dickson (MPPD) di Laluan Jalan Pasar dan Jalan Baharu, Bandar Port Dickson di sini semalam.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang juga Menteri Kewangan semasa membentangkan Belanjawan 2023 berkata, tahun 2025 telah ditetapkan sebagai Tahun Melawat Malaysia dengan sasaran ketibaan 23.5 juta pelancong antarabangsa dan unjuran pendapatan sehingga RM76.8 bilion.

Katanya, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM250 juta untuk mempromosi dan melonjakkan pelancongan negara mulai tahun ini dan menjelang Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2025.

-utusan online.

Rakyat diseru semarakkan Tahun Melawat Perlis 2024

 

MOHD. Shukri Ramli bersama pegawai kanan pentadbiran dan pemain industri pelancongan Perlis selepas merasmikan pra-pelancaran Tahun Melawat Perlis 2024 di Kompleks Pentadbiran Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Kangar, Perlis hari ini.-UTUSAN/SYED AZLAN SAYID HIZAR

KANGAR: Kerajaan negeri menyeru masyarakat setempat bersama-sama menyemarakkan lagi sektor pelancongan negeri melalui konsep pelancongan berasaskan komuniti (CBT) yang memberi manfaat dan janaan ekonomi secara langsung kepada yang terlibat.

Menteri Besar, Mohd. Shukri Ramli berkata, kerajaan negeri dalam rangka tindakan untuk menganjurkan Tahun Melawat Perlis (TMP) 2024 berlandaskan kepada Tahun Melawat Segi Tiga Pertumbuhan Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand (IMT-GT).

“Matlamat utama TMP 2024 dan Tahun Melawat IMT-GT 2023-2025 adalah untuk menarik pelancong menerokai pengalaman melancong di negeri Perlis.

“Kerajaan Negeri sentiasa mengalu-alukan dan menggalakkan semua pihak untuk mengadakan aktiviti-aktiviti atau program dalam menarik lebih ramai pengunjung ke Perlis,” katanya ketika merasmikan masjlis pra-pelancaran Tahun Melawat Perlis 2024 di Dewan Banquet, Kompleks Setiausaha Kerajaan di sini hari ini.

Tambah Mohd. Shukri, untuk rekod, seramai 2.99 juta pelancong telah berkunjung ke Perlis pada tahun 2022.

“Jumlah ini meningkat dari tahun sebelumnya dan dilihat positif khususnya sewaktu era pasca pandemik Covid-19 dan kedatangan pelancong telah memberikan limpahan ekonomi secara terus kepada pemain industri sektor pelancongan yang mempunyai rantaian ekonomi dan jaringan yang luas.

“Kerajaan negeri sentiasa menyokong usaha-usaha ke arah mempertingkatkan prestasi industri pelancongan di peringkat negeri Perlis dan ketersediaan produk pelancongan yang berkualiti serta persekitaran bersih mampu menarik lebih ramai kedatangan pelancong ke negeri kita ini,” katanya.

-utusan online.

Terengganu Lancar Tahun Melawat Kenyir 2021

 

KUALA TERENGGANU,17 Disember - Bagi melonjakkan sektor pelancongan negeri, Terengganu hari ini mengumumkan 2021 sebagai Tahun Melawat Kenyir (TMK2021).

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Teknologi Digital negeri, Ariffin Deraman berkata, inisiatif anjuran Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (Ketengah) memilih Tasik Kenyir kerana destinasi ekopelancongan tersohor itu mempunyai pelbagai produk yang digemari pengunjung.

“Produk yang boleh diterokai oleh pelancong seperti Santuari Kelah, Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village (KECV), Taman Herba, Taman Orkid, Air Terjun Lasir dan Sungai Saok, Gua Bewah dan Gua Taat, Zon Bebas Tasik Kenyir dan pelbagai lagi.

“TMK2021 yang julung-julung kali diadakan ini akan dimeriahkan lagi dengan pelbagai program menarik sepanjang tahun sekali gus memperkukuhkan Tasik Kenyir sebagai destinasi pelancongan wajib sekiranya berkunjung ke Terengganu.

“Acara-acara yang dirancang telah memfokuskan pelbagai lapisan masyarakat dan akan menarik lebih ramai peminat sukan lasak kerana ekologi yang terdapat di Tasik Kenyir membuka ruang acara sebegini dilaksanakan,” katanya kepada Urus Setia Penerangan Darul Iman (UPDI).

Mengulas lanjut, beliau berkata, penganjuran TMK2021 juga antara lain untuk merancakkan kembali ekonomi pemain pelancongan yang terbantut dek penangan COVID-19. 

“Dengan adanya penganjuran sebegini yang diatur secara berpanjangan dan penekanan kepada pelancongan komuniti setempat (community based tourism).

“Ia juga akan memberi impak positif kepada penggiat pelancongan yang terdiri daripada pengusaha bot laju, pengusaha rumah bot dan pengusaha kedai makan dan juga komuniti setempat,” tambah beliau.

-trdi.my

Perlis rancang Tahun Melawat Perlis 2021

KANGAR, 11 Jun (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Perlis bercadang menjadikan tahun 2021 sebagai Tahun Melawat Perlis selepas Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2020, kata Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Azman Mohd Yusof.

Bagi menjayakan program itu, katanya, kerajaan negeri akan bekerjasama dengan pelbagai agensi kerajaan peringkat negeri dan persekutuan seperti Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MoTAC), Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) dan Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri.

"Bagi menjadikan Tahun Melawat Perlis suatu kenyataan, kerajaan negeri membuat kajian dan perancangan untuk dibentangkan pada mesyurat Exco tidak lama lagi untuk diputuskan,” katanya kepada media semasa ditemui pada Majlis Aidlfitri Bersama Rakyat peringkat negeri di Dewan 2020 di sini, hari ini.

Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Raja Perempuan Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail dan Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil berkenan berangkat ke majlis itu.

Tuanku Tengku Fauziah turut berkenan mengurniakan duit raya kepada kanak-kanak yang hadir.

Menteri Besar Perlis Datuk Seri Azlan Man dan anggota-anggota Exco Kerajaan negeri merupakan antara lebih 15,000 orang yang hadir.

Azman berkata pusat-pusat pelancongan di Perlis akan dinaik taraf supaya lebih selesa untuk dikunjungi terutama oleh pelancong luar.

Statistik menunjukkan purata kira-kira empat juta pelancong mengunjungi Perlis dalam tempoh tiga tahun lepas dan memberi kesan kepada perkembangan ekonomi negeri ini, katanya.

"Daripada aspek kewangan, kita hadapi sedikit masalah namun perkara boleh diatasi kerana kita akan libatkan pelbagai pihak seperti Badan Bukan Kerajaan, orang ramai dan pihak berkepentingan seperti penggiat pelancongan,” katanya.

-bernama.

Penang launches Experience Penang Year 2020

GEORGE TOWN, June 2 (Bernama) -- The Penang government tonight launched the Penang Experience Year 2020 with tagline The Diversity of Asia to usher in the excitement of Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

State Tourism, Heritage, Culture and Arts committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the launching of Experience Penang Year 2020  with hahstag #EPY2020 is an inspiration in line with the rise in demand for experiential travel.

"Experience becomes the  key word with millennials  and travellers Instragramming their way through their travels. It us our inspiration behind Experience Penang Year 2020. Our tagline The Diversity of Asia is testament to Penang's rich diversity reflected  through its heritage, culture, arts, and the many aspects which made Penang one of the most memorable place to visit in Asia," he said in his speech at the EPY 2020 ceremony  tonight officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Yeoh who is also Penang State Exco For Tourism Development, Arts, Culture And Heritage (PETACH) said for Experience Penang Year 2020, the government wanted to capture both domestic and international travellers.

"Tourism is commonly focused on international travellers but the presence of domestic travellers is very important to generate an economically sustainable and consistent revenue from tourism. Evident from the slide , a 2018 Penang Tourist  Survey by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), revealed  that while 79.7 percent  of foreign tourists were first timers. it is the opposite with domestic travellers with 77.2 percent of them being  repeat visitors.

"As such we have consistently introduced a variety of high quality tourism products across island  and mainland. We have to gain both the interest  of first time visitors and renew  the interest of tourists  who have been here before. Aligned with Penang 2030 vision, it is our mission to launch a targeted marketing campaign  for the international and domestic market. This is in order to attract higher-value tourists and increase average tourists spending and length of stay," he said.

Yeoh also said according to the Penang Tourist Survey 2018 by USM, currently the average expenditure per visitor  per visit stands at RM934.88 with an average stay of 4.86  nights.

"While 47.5 percent of the tourists were repeat visitors, the average revisit intention was 4.03 over 5 and we achieved a satisfaction score of 3.86 over 5. We need full support of the stakeholders and tourism players.

“Every segment of the industry plays a role in delivering the services and enhancing the experience  of locals through  higher quality customer service. Tourists who enjoy their stay are more than likely to spread the word about their positive experience  and social  media and garner interest about Penang," he said.

-bernama.

https://www.mypenang.gov.my/

Tourist arrivals in Melaka increase to 4.79 million

MELAKA, May 30 (Bernama) -- The number of tourists to Melaka increased to 4.79 million in the first three months of this year compared to 4.07 million during the same period last year, said Chief Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the increase of 17.49 per cent was very encouraging to Melaka which was targeting 20 million tourists this year in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2019.

He added that domestic tourists remained the biggest contributors, with 3.4 million compared to 1.38 foreign tourists.

“The five countries with the most number of tourists (to Melaka) are China with 46.2 per cent, Singapore (17.31 per cent), Indonesia (8.34 per cent), Taiwan (4.6 per cent) and Hong Kong (3.05 per cent).

Meanwhile, the biggest number of domestic tourists was from Selangor with 13.11 per cent.

“So, all parties involved in the Melaka tourism industry must work together to boost the industry and attract more tourists to the state,” he said in a press conference of the Melaka State Exco in Ayer Keroh here today.

Adly said the state government will continue to promote tourismstat with focus on 13 sub-sectors including history, culture, sports, health, agro-tourism and eco-tourism, as well as promote specific tourism products.

Adly also urged homestay operators throughout the state to register with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) as it concerned the safety of the public who stay on their premises.

“There are houses, apartments, bungalows and other residences in the state which have been converted into homestays by their owners but were not registered with MOTAC which made it difficult for the authorities to supervise, and poor quality of service jeopardised the image of the state tourism industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adly said there would not be water rationing in Melaka scheduled for June 15, as numerous steps had been taken by Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad and the Melaka Water Regulatory Body (BKSA) to ensure adequate water supply.

He said a recent meeting by the state Water Management Committee decided to continue with the planned initiatives to buy additional raw water from Sungai Gerisik, Muar, to transfer water supply from the Jus Dam to the Durian Tunggal Dam and to channel water from Tasik Biru, Merlimau to the Durian Tunggal Dam.

"At the same time, other initiatives will be taken including perfoming the Istiqa’ prayers (to pray for rain) at all mosques including the Friday prayers tomorrow,” he said.

The water level in the Durian Tunggal Dam in Alor Gajah is at 29.9 per cent, with a total water capacity of 9.22 billion litre, The Jus Dam in Jasin (64.3 per cent/ 27.77 billion litres) and Asahan Dam in Jasin (62.5 per cent/155 million litres).

-bernama.

Playing up Selangor’s attractions at tourism trade fair

TOURISM Selangor continues to promote its new tourism products and cultural and heritage tourism segment in an effort to attract foreign tourists into the state, through cooperation with Tourism Malaysia at the Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin (ITB2019).

ITB2019, which is the world’s biggest tourism trade fair, focuses on promoting hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, system providers, airlines and car rental companies, to name a few.

ITB2019 recently hosted a five-day business-to-business event for the worldwide travel industry at Messe Berlin in Germany.

Tourism Selangor took part in the Tourism Business to Business (B2B)

In the midst of incorporating new programmes and methods to attract tourists, Tourism Selangor launched three new tourism initiatives: Selangor Local Host Community Programme to train local tour guides to provide genuine information to tourists.

Three districts have been chosen this year comprising Hulu Selangor, Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat.

For the pre-launch of Visit Sepang 2020 Campaign – various activities will be carried out throughout the year with a RM10mil target for people visiting Sepang.

Meanwhile, the launch of the Selangor Cultural Map (consisting of cultural information showcased during ITB2019) will provide valuable information for cultural and heritage enthusiasts touring Selangor.

“Selangor has huge potential to be one of the best tourism destinations.

“Apart from that, with evolving visitors’ expectations, we will provide affordable tourism attractions through our eco-nature and culture adventure cluster products such as Sky Mirror, Mah Meri indigenous people, Batu Caves and the Klang Town Heritage Walk,” said Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Selangor Culture, Tourism, Malay Customs and Heritage committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari said last year, more than 3.25 million international tourist arrivals to Selangor were recorded and 242,000 of them were from Europe.

“ITB Berlin has the capacity to attract tourists, so the target of 7.7million tourists visiting Selangor this year can be accomplished,” he said.

With various airlines now offering more than 45 flights with 7,000 seats a week to Malaysia, this advantage will provide a positive impact on Selangor.

“As Malaysia is the country partner for this year’s ITB, we will maximise efforts to promote our tourism hotspots with media collaborations.

“Tourism Selangor is also actively promoting destinations in Selangor internationally with the support and collaboration from our preferred agent, Kowamas Holidays, which focuses on promoting Selangor to the European market,” said Tourism Selangor general manager Noorul Ashikin Mohd Din.

Malaysian delegates comprising local council heads from the Sepang, Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat and Hulu Selangor were present to provide insights on their respective districts.

A special cultural performance by the Mah Meri tribe in Carey Island was showcased during the opening ceremony of ITB2019.

-thestar online.
http://www.tourismselangor.my/

Boost for tourism - Visit Sarawak Campaign

KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded a higher number of tourist arrivals in January this year as the Visit Sarawak Campaign (VSC) gets underway.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Sharzede Salleh Askor said the state received 361,334 visitors last month compared to 326,347 last January.

Of the total, 214,335 were domestic tourists, up from 154,717 in January last year.

“This is very encouraging compared to last year. We feel that our efforts of being aggressive and intensifying our marketing has shown some results.

“It’s too early to say but we hope this is going to be a positive trajectory for us,” she said after the launch of a VSC car sticker campaign here.

Sharzede said the state’s target of five million tourists this year could be achieved with aggressive promotion in domestic and regional markets.

“Yes, it’s a high target. But I believe that if we put ourselves out there frequently and aggressively, the local market will come in.

“And when we went overseas ever since we launched VSC, there has been a positive response about us and our new products. There’s excitement out there and to me that’s a very positive sign,” she said.

Besides domestic tourists, Sharzede said STB was targetting visitors from Australia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.

“We just came back from Sydney and Melbourne where we received very good response and packages are being looked into.

“We are working closely with the (Indonesian) consulate now, doing promotions and organising Indonesians to come. These are low-hanging fruits that we must capture and get them to come here as frequently as possible.

“Other than that, Europe is our long-haul and high-yield target. We are going to Berlin on March 3 as Europe is a good market for us,” she said.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who flagged off the car sticker campaign, said it was part of efforts to promote Sarawak under VSC.

He said the stickers would be distributed to some 2,000 taxis in Kuching as well as other towns like Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

Passengers can scan QR codes on the stickers to be connected to the STB website for information on attractions.

-thestar online.

https://sarawaktourism.com/

Sarawak to have own airline company to tap tourism potential

Sarawak government is serious about setting up its own airline company to connect the state with strategic locations in the region such as Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong and Jakarta.

(Bernama photo)

KUCHING: Sarawak government is serious about setting up its own airline company to connect the state with strategic locations in the region such as Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong and Jakarta.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said Sarawak was wealthy in terms of cultural heritage and nature attractions but limited air connectivity remained a challenge to further develop and boost its domestic and international tourism.

“Tourists nowadays prefer direct flights which are more convenient and time-saving. So, when they need to transit either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to come here, they do not make Sarawak their priority,” he said.

Although several airlines opened up new routes to connect the state to international destinations in the past, it did not sustain.

“They (airline companies) always pull out halfway which I wasn’t happy about. I understand they have their concerns as it is a business after all. But we need more time to build up a sustainable tourist flow,” said Abang Johari, who is also the state’s former tourism minister.

“So we are very serious in setting up own airline company, not a big one but enough to connect us to a few major and potential destinations,” he said.

“In fact, this is not something new as we had wanted to take over MASwings from Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) but the negotiation did not go through. I believe one of the reasons was that MAB was worried we might become their competition once we take over MASwings,” he added.

Speaking at a press conference after the launch of the “Air Asia Sarawak Campaign Livery” at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) here, the Chief Minister said the plane livery includes a whole plane wrap as well as advertising panels inside the cabin on overhead lockers and the meal trays.

The branding exercise will be featured for at least two years to where Air Asia flies to, and to all regional airspaces and airports including Southern China.

The plane will fly up to 17 hours a day throughout the region, and with an average load factor of 80 percent and the campaign messages are expected to be seen by at least 50 million passengers annually.

Despite being the largest state in the country, the KIA is connected with international destinations - Singapore, Brunei and Pontianak. Kuching-Shenzhen direct flight, which was launched in October 2017 will pull out end of the month.

Apart from that, Sarawak government is also working on a master plan to upgrade the facilities in the national parks to provide a more comfortable experience for the visitors.

The industry players were also told to be more aggressive in their promotion and marketing efforts as more needs to be done to tap the country’s tourism potential to boost the economy.

One of the main Visit Sarawak Campaign 2019 objectives was to increase 4.6 million visitors recorded last year to five million by the end of 2019, said Abang Johari.

-nst online.

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/

Giving tourists peace of mind

Visitors can now stay overnight in raft houses like this on Sungai Sepang.

TAKING a river cruise along Sungai Sepang is one of the attractions listed on Visit Sepang 2020 calendar.

However, many of the boats offering the sightseeing tours do not have the relevant licences – putting the lives of those on board and others at risk.

In view of the expected increase in the number of operators who will be offering such tours, the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) is taking steps to ensure they have the proper licence.

Many of those organising river cruise trips are also fishermen who do not have permits to carry passengers.

MPSepang Licensing Department director Noor Halif Noorzan said they are working together with the Marine Department to rectify this.

“We are working together with the Marine Department to engage the boatmen on the licensing requirements.

“The council also plans to work with the Negri Sembilan authorities as half of Sungai Sepang is on their side,” said Nor Halif.

There are an estimated 30 boat operators offering river cruises on Sungai Sepang. Many are fishermen who take passengers on board to earn extra income.

Starting from RM30 per head, the river cruise packages range from a leisurely 30-minute boat ride to clam hunting expeditions along the river’s mangrove swamps.

Of the five million visitors the council is expecting next year, it is estimated 5% of them will go on a Sungai Sepang river cruise.

“We foresee having two trips every 30 minutes on the river,” said MPSepang Public Relations and Corporate Unit director Norrehan Amat Kasman.

Norrehan said the Bagan Lalang beach area could become a tourist hotspot like Port Dickson.

In addition to fish farms, wildlife and nature, boat operators also cater to anglers.

The latest attraction are night stays on raft houses built on the water. Rates can start from RM400 a night per unit.

The usual route taken by cruise operators covers some 7km of Sungai Sepang from Sirip Biru Jetty to Kampung Tanjung Mas Batu Dua.

The trip also includes a ride up Sungai Tuntung, one of the tributaries in Sungai Sepang.

Avani Sepang Goldcoast recreation manager Irwan Ishak gave assurance that its boats and pilots have obtained proper licences for the river cruises.

“We have been renewing our licence yearly since 2009. We cater to international tourists and they are very mindful of safety,” he said.

Other boat operators interviewed said they were still in the midst of obtaining information on the types of licences required.

“We will be organising a dialogue with the Marine Department and Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Sepang (PNKSepang) members as many of the boat operators are also full-time fishermen,” said one operator who did not want to be named.

He added that many fishermen were worried about the cost of obtaining the licence as well as methods used to evaluate a helmsman’s competency as some only have primary school education,

When contacted, Marine Department Corporate Unit head Yusnan Abdul Rani said under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1952 (MSO1952), any boat that plies at any port, river or place in Peninsular Malaysia for the purpose of business, sports, leisure or recreational activity must be licensed.

The Merchant Shipping (Amendment And Extension) Act 2011 (Act 1393) mandates licensing for boats of less than 300 gross tonnage operating in our waters.

For the certificate of competency for helmsman (boat drivers), the basic requirement is completion of a mate course.

Yusnan said engagement sessions will be held in Sungai Sepang so that those offering such trips are aware of what is needed.

“During these engagement sessions, we will provide technical advice on vessel inspection, safety requirements and the requirements to get the certificate of competency,” said Yusnan.

Under Section 474 of MSO1952, any person who uses or permits a boat to be used without a licence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 while those who are caught operating a boat without a licence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000.

-thestar online.

Melaka all set to attract more tourists

Adly launching Visit Melaka Year 2019 at the Melaka Fiesta 2018 celebration. — Photos: Bernama

MELAKA: The state government through the state's hotel industry, has introduced a variety of attractive accommodation packages in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2019 (VMY 2019) in efforts to increase tourist arrivals and extended stay.

Chief Minister Adly Zahari said in collaboration with the Melaka Budget Hotel Association, 14 budget hotels were offering amazing three-day, two- night accommodation packages from as low as RM159.

He said in collaboration with the Malaysian Melaka Hotel Association, the "Fascinating Melaka" packages offered visitors a variety of attractive accommodation packages at 10 three-star hotels in the state, with prices ranging between RM300 and RM458.

“Meanwhile, under ‘Love My Kampung' packages, in collaboration with the Melaka Homestay Association, nine lodging houses are offering two-day, one-night accommodation from RM79 to RM99 per pax.

“There are also 14 chalets and resorts on the coastal area around the state, to offer visitors the ‘Heritage and Nature Trail' packages from RM79 to RM99 per pax,” he said in his speech when launching the VMY 2019 at the Melaka Fiesta 2018 celebration here on Monday night.

At the event, Adly also launched the Tourism Event Calendar 2019 which featured a variety of interesting activities including Raptor Watch, Melaka Historical City celebration and San Pedro Festival, just to name a few.

Adly said the implementation of VMY 2019 was the state government's main mission to support Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

It also served as the main platform for Melaka to promote the historical state internationally as well as to realise its target of attracting 20 million tourists this year.

He said Melaka received 14.7 million tourists from January to October last year, with 5.6 million people or 38.59% comprising foreign tourists.

Despite the relatively high target set, Adly said he was confident the efforts would help elevate the state tourism industry to a higher level through all the plans formulated, including the ‘Melaka, the Gateway to Historic Malaysia' promotional campaign and several other new approaches.

He also encouraged everyone to provide continuous cooperation and support to the state government to ensure the success of VMY 2019 by applying the value of ‘Think Tourism and Act Tourism' to intensify efforts to promote Melaka as the country's main tourist destination. 

- Bernama/therstar.

Five million tourists expected for Visit Sepang Year 2020

Abdul Rashid (third from left) and Muhammad Hafiz (second from left)

holding a tray of nasi ambeng at the soft launch in klia2.

SEPANG Municipal Council (MPSepang) is targeting to receive five million tourists during Visit Sepang Year 2020 as it will bring in RM5bil in income. 

“We are forming a special committee to carry out programmes for Visit Sepang Year 2020.

“These will include promoting Sepang as a shopping destination, sale of dragon fruit, organising cultural and beach festivals, a run as well as a river cruise,” he said.

MPSepang deputy president Muhammad Hafiz Shaari said the objective of having Visit Sepang Year 2020 was part of its other initiatives under the 2016-2020 MPSepang Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development. 

Selangor Culture, Tourism, Malay Customs and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari said Visit Malaysia Year 2020 would also be held simultaneously, and that 36 million visitor arrivals and RM168bil in tourism income were expected.

“We anticipate about 10 million tourists to visit Selangor in 2020, as the state has two international airports.

“Selangor has many products and services to offer and among those are eco, sports and medical tourism,” he said.

Cultural dance performances were held during the soft launch and there were booths that showcased interesting products from Sepang.

-thestar online.