Five companies sign up with Chinese bank to promote services via MM2H programme

MM2H collaboration: Dr Ng speaking with Bank of China (M) Bhd personal banking department senior executive Janice Tan at its booth at the Malaysian pavilion during the China International Travel Mart in Shanghai.

SHANGHAI: Riding on a wave of Chinese nationals joining the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, five Malaysian companies have signed up with the Bank of China to provide services to their prospective clients.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the cooperation between her ministry, Bank of China and the private sector was an unusual development in promoting the MM2H programme to foreigners. She said the companies could work with the bank to attract its 300,000 high-end customers with savings and assets of US$1mil (RM3.07mil) to US$2mil (RM6.14mil) each to choose Malaysia as their top choice destina-tion of home away from home.

“I am confident that if they promote the programme well and always put their customers first, they will reap the fruits of their labour,” she said after witnessing a joint memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between the bank and the five companies here on Thursday.

The companies, licensed by the ministry as agents of the programme, are Complete Point (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, CK-Ten (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, Synergy Home (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, Sweet Home Garden (MM2H) Sdn Bhd and CLS (MM2H) Sdn Bhd.

Since 2002 until August, Malaysia approved applications from 19,488 foreigners for the MM2H programme. China topped other countries with 3,332 participants, followed by Japan and Bangladesh. Between January and August, 475 participants from China joined the programme, a 257% increase from the corresponding period last year.

On Friday, Dr Ng who was on a two-day official visit to Shanghai attended the opening of the Malaysian pavilion at the China International Travel Mart and paid a courtesy call on Chinese National Tourism Administration Minister Shao Qiwei.

-thestar online.

Malaysia wins UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance

2011 winner of the best tourism poster competition under the East Asia and the Pacific region category. poster by Tourism Malaysia

The winners of the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance 2012 edition is Malaysia Homestay Experience Program, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia: Since its launch in 1995, hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists have stayed with Malaysian families on their trips, finding this homestay program a unique way to experience the local culture. The initiative is not only benefiting tourists, but has also become a vital source of income for local communities, especially in rural areas.  

Runners-up: Holiday Participation Center, Tourism Flanders, Belgium, and the Pannonian Salt Lakes of Tuzla, Municipality of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

-UNWTO.

www.go2homestay.com

Spice Market a hit at Imex in Las Vegas

Popular: Visitors to Malaysia’s Spice Market booth.

Even with more than 2,000 exhibiting companies, destinations and services from the US and around the world vying for attention from nearly 4,000 hosted buyer and buyer attendees, the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Myceb) has once again succeeded in creating an impact at the recent Imex Las Vegas through its Malaysian Spice Market event. Imex is an exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.

The concept is a modern interpretation of the historical market that thrived 600 years ago along the Silk Road and transported attendees on a time travel back to the glorious era of the Malacca Sultanate.

Enacted complete with Malay, Chinese and Indian traders, it underscored the point that Myceb makes about Malaysia as a meetings destination — a microcosm of Asia due to its strategic location as a gateway for global associations to connect with the world’s largest region.

Visitors were provided with a specially created ‘MyCurrency’ and the cultural and historical experience is heightened with trading and bargaining where attendees are encouraged to negotiate for the best deals with the costumed traders speaking in different languages.

“We wanted to bring this highly interactive experience to Imex Las Vegas to introduce the Malaysian culture to our international counterparts. “It is a business networking session but with a Malaysian twist. Items sold in the booth denotes the cultural make-up of the country such as songket/batik, chopsticks, saree cloth and beaded work,” said Myceb sales and marketing general manager Ho Yoke Ping.

“There were many unexpected exciting turns that happened during the Spice Market. Due to the extremely overwhelming response, all items were sold out in just one hour. I truly believe that we have managed to showcase the cultural diversity of Malaysia with this experiential networking event which can also be incorporated as a theme event for incentive groups.”

Myceb leads a delegation of six industry partners which includes Sarawak Convention Bureau, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur and M-Vision Travel Sdn Bhd.

-thestar online.

www.myceb.com.my

Labuan Arts Festival 2012

Date: 16 ~ 18 November 2012

Venue: Labuan International Sea Sport Complex, Labuan

-Ministry of Tourism, Labuan office.

Malaysia Airlines Takes Delivery of its Third Airbus A380

Subang, 15 November 2012 : Malaysia Airlines’ third Airbus A380 aircraft arrived in KL International Airport (KLIA) at 9.35am today.


The aircraft, which was ferried from Toulouse, France will undergo final preparations in KLIA for commercial flight operations. The national carrier will also receive its fourth A380 by end of this week.

Malaysia Airlines will use these two 494-seater aircraft to commence day-time flights from KLIA to London Heathrow effective 24 November 2012. Flight MH4 will depart KLIA at 10.45am daily to arrive London Heathrow the same day at 4.15pm. The return flight MH1 departs London daily at 10.00pm and arrives KLIA the next day at 6.20pm.

This day service will complement Malaysia Airlines’ current daily A380 night service to the UK capital, where MH 2 departs KLIA at 11.40pm and arrives in London at 5.50am the following day with the return flight MH3 departing London at 12.00 noon and arriving KLIA at 7.25am the next day.

With the introduction of the double daily A380 services effective 24 November 2012, Malaysia Airlines will cease the 359-seater B747-400 flight operations between KLIA and London.

The double daily A380 operations by Malaysia Airlines, the only full service carrier to offer direct services between Malaysia and the UK, will also improve weekly seat capacity by 37% in both directions of the KLIA-London Heathrow route.

The A380 services will offer 6916 seats weekly compared to 5026 seats offered through the earlier double daily B747-400 operations, allowing more passengers to travel on the latest super jumbo aircraft. Malaysia Airlines is the eighth operator of this new aircraft and will receive its remaining two A380 by the first quarter of 2013.
-malaysia airlines.

Stylo showcase wows Mexicans

Sizzling hot: Dayang Nur Atikah modelling a Bill Keith outfit during the Stylo 1Malaysia showcase

MEXICO CITY: Tropical colours, Borneo headhunters and the cultural melting pot of 1Malaysia wowed Latin Americans at the “Stylo 1Malaysia” showcase at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week here.


Mercedes-Benz Stylo 2012 winners, veteran designer Bill Keith, emerging designer Hanif Naim and Stylo's Ford Supermodel winner Dayang Nur Atikah kept the audience captivated at Mexico's capital city on Tuesday night with fashion inspirations weaved out of the 1Malaysia concept. The half-hour show saw top Latin models, along with Dayang Atikah, strut the prestigious runway with a fashion collection featuring the cultures of the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Peranakan and indigenous groups of Malaysia.

“Being far from home, not speaking Spanish and yet having this audience embrace Malaysia through the universal language of design was nothing short of inspiring,” said president and CEO of Stylo International Datuk Nancy Yeoh.
“Instead of trying to compete with our stronger Western counterparts in the game they know very well, we stayed true to what we know best, being totally Asian and proudly Malaysian.”

Keith drew his inspiration from the main Malaysian ethnic groups, calling it “Tropical Delusions”. His collection drew the loudest applause from the packed hall comprising a largely Mexican female audience. “This has been an honour for me as it's unlike anything I have experienced in my career,” said a visibly moved Keith.

Sabahan Hanif Naim's collection inspired by Borneo headhunting tribes also drew admiration. Called “Aun Kattan”, it was made entirely out of recycled pineapple pulp with hand-printed motifs of a “head”.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mexico Pedro Tabera said the Malaysian showcase was highly engaging. “It was a wonderful addition to our Fashion Week this season and we are delighted to have been able to host the Malaysian team.”

The Stylo 1Malaysia showcase was part of the World Fashion Exchange between Mercedes- Benz and Stylo initiated by the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Roland Folger as part of its 125th anniversary celebration last year. It seeks to put Malaysian designers on the fashion runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks around the world.
-thestar online.

Malaysia targets two million Chinese tourists

SHANGHAI: Malaysia is targeting two million Chinese tourists for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2014, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“We received 1.25 million tourists from China last year. This year, we hope we can achieve our target of 1.5 million tourists.

“By 2014, we hope we will receive up to two million Chinese tourists. We really need to collaborate with the provincial tourism bureaus,” she said after opening the Malaysian pavilion at the China International Travel Mart here yesterday.

Dr Ng met senior officials from the Hubei and Henan provincial tourism bureaus over flight connectivity issues between Malaysia and cities in the two provinces.

“We have discussed about flight connectivity with the Hubei tourism bureau and we will now talk more with the interested airlines to establish a direct flight between Wuhan and Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu or Langkawi in March next year,” she said.

At a meeting with representatives from Chinese travel agencies, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X and other Chinese airlines, Tourism Malaysia board of director Datuk Seri Tengku Dr Zainal Adlin hoped that they would work together with the ministry to meet the two million tourists target.
-thestar online.

Funnel of splashing fun at i-City

Way up there: Riders on the Tornado will be sliding on a tube raft down a steep 160-foot water tunnel, connected to a seven-storey, 45 degree-incline funnel.

The much-awaited Tornado ride at the state-of-the-art WaterWorld in i-City, Shah Alam opens today, coinciding with the year-end school holidays. “We are happy to bring the Tornado ride to Malaysia and South-East Asia as part of our RM25mil investment in WaterWorld,” said i-Berhad director Monica Ong.

The Tornado is a 28-second thrill ride where riders in groups of four will be sliding on a tube raft down a steep 160-foot water tunnel. The tunnel is connected to a seven-storey tall funnel inclined at 45 degrees. Riders will experience four to six oscillations in the funnel, which has a 60-foot diameter opening that reduces gradually to a 10-foot diameter at the bottom before splashing onto the 1,350 sq ft landing pool.

Ong said the ride was first made famous in Canada, nine years ago for its exhilarating “weightless” experience. “You will not be alone when riding it as you will be accompanied by three other friends and before you know it, it is all over in less than a minute,” she said when taking members of the media on a tour around the park.

Good fun: Visitors standing next to the Tornado’s giant funnel.

Workers were seen busy putting the final touches to the new attraction at the 4.05ha (10-acre) water theme park. Ong said to date, i-City has invested some RM50mil to create a 25-acre theme park within the i-City development that has four precincts - City of Digital Lights, SnoWalk, WaterWorld and FunWorld.

“WaterWorld is the final building block under our Tourism component since we started some three years back,” said Ong adding that the park is a family-oriented one with rides to cater to all ages. Besides the Tornado ride, patrons can also hop onto a raft and try the River Adventure ride, floating down a river which runs along the water pool into a cave-like area.

While those who want to have fun in the sun can swim and ride the waves at their Wave Pool and watch videos played from the large LED screen. The senior crowd she said who seek a place to relax can opt for their Giant Jacuzzi pool and the young at heart can slide down the Rainbow Racer Slides.

The park will be operating on a cashless system where patrons will be given a RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) wristband each with pre-loaded credit to purchase food and beverages or pay for a locker. “We do not want our patrons to bring their money around in the park as it is a wet park,” she said.

Cameras have also been placed at the various attractions to capture images of patrons on the ride. Visitors can then purchase hard copies at counters within the park before they leave.

Tickets is priced at RM50 per person, however to celebrate the parks opening visitors will enjoy 50% discount today. From tomorrow until Nov 24, visitors will receive 40% off the normal rate for pre-purchased tickets. WaterWorld operates from 10am to 7pm on weekdays and from 9am to 7pm on weekends and public holidays.

-thestar online.

2012 Super Asia Showcase In Malaysia

Fans of Super Junior-M, EXO-M & BTOB, get ready to grab your tickets for the “2012 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia”!

Tickets will go on sale first on the 14th of October 2012 at Kenanga Wholesale City, Level LG, Centre Court from 12.00 noon until 6.00pm. Thereafter, tickets will be available nationwide via TicketCharge outlets, hotline and website from 15th of October 2012 onwards. 

Ticket prices for “2012 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” are tiered at: 
Upper Zone - RM183 (free standing)+ showcase poster +1 showcase merchandise
Pit Zone - RM283 (free standing)+ showcase poster +1 showcase merchandise
Super Zone - RM383 (free standing)+ showcase poster +1 showcase merchandise
VIP - RM600 (numbered seating)+ showcase poster +3 showcase merchandise

VIP and Super Zone ticket buyers stand a chance to be the lucky few who get to see their idols up close. All ticket buyers will receive a limited edition poster and merchandise. The instructions and guidelines on redemption of gifts will be announced at a later date by the organizers.

“2012 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” which will be happening on the 11th of December 2012, 8pm at Kenanga Wholesale City, Level 15. 

Super Junior-M had their debut in 2008 and their current members consist of eight members namely Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, Sungmin, Kyuhyun, Eunhyuk, Zhou Mi and Henry. 

Malaysia ELF a.k.a EverLasting Friends (as the Super Junior Official Fans are collectively know as) have long been awaiting the return of Super Junior-M to Malaysia after the group had their first live appearance 2011 at the Malaysian National Youth Day. On that day, an audience estimated at more than 30,000 showed up to celebrate the occasion with the group.

The second performing artist will be EXO-M, which is a subgroup of Chinese-South Korean boy band, EXO. EXO-M consists of six members namely Kris, Xiumin, Lu Han, Lay, Chen and Tao. Produced by S.M. Entertainment, the group’s debut single “Mama” won them many awards around the region. 

The third performing artist is seven-member boy band BTOB (Born to Beat) consists of Eun Kwag, Min Hyuk, Chang Sub, Hyun Sik, Peniel, Il Hoon and Sung Jae. Produced by Cube Entertainment’s associate label Cube DC, BtoB is making waves in the Korean music scene with two hit songs; dance number Insane and the ballad Imagine.

“2012 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” is jointly organized by Marctensia Concerts and Universal Music Malaysia. Other partners include Artist Produced by S.M. Entertainment and Cube Entertainment, Official Radio Stations MY FM and Era FM, Official Venue Kenanga Wholesale City, Official Ticketing Agent TicketCharge and Technical Support, Singesen.

For more ticketing details, please contact TicketCharge at 03 9222 8811 or visit www.ticketcharge.com.my. For more information on “2012 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia”, please visit Marctensia Concerts (www.facebook.com/MarctensiaConcerts) (www.twitter.com/marctensia) or Universal Music Malaysia Chinese (https://www.facebook.com/UMMChinese) (www.twitter.com/UmusicMalaysia).

-www.ticketcharge.com.my

1Malaysia Year-End Sale Returns With Great Promotions And Exciting Activities

photo: Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia facebook

PETALING JAYA, NOV 2012: The Minister of Tourism, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen launched the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (1MYES) on 10 November 2012 at Pyramid Ice in Sunway Pyramid.

The 1MYES, which will be held from 10 November 2012 to 1 January 2013, aims to encourage shoppers from all over the world to come to Malaysia to celebrate the last two months of the year with a fabulous shopping experience.

What better way to celebrate the festive season with your friends and family than holidaying and shopping in Malaysia during 1MYES.

One of three major shopping seasons in the country, 1MYES is the end-of-year shopping event that wraps up the year with a bang. The other two being the 1Malaysia GP Sale that coincides with the Formula One Grand Prix in KL and the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival during the summer holidays.

EVENTS, PROMOTIONS & ACTIVITIES DURING THE 1MYES 2012:
Foreign tourists and locals alike have 55 days to take advantage of the great discounts and special offers put together by various shopping malls nationwide. The shopping malls will also host numerous exciting events to make Malaysia the place to go for shopping, fashion and food throughout November and December.

All the bargains, promotions, fun activities and contests that take place during the 1MYES 2012 offer Malaysians and foreign tourists an exciting shopping experience that will satisfy even the most seasoned shoppers.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Sungei Wang Plaza shopping mall is offering its visitors a chance to win a pair of Yoga Lin Concert tickets while the Kenanga Wholesale City will be organising a treasure hunt to challenge the creativity, fashion sense, agility and intelligence of its shoppers.

Shop at The Mines shopping mall in Seri Kembangan, Selangor and stand a chance to win a 2D1N stay for four at the Golden Palm Villa in Sepang, a gold set from Poh Kong and other prizes.

In Penang, a Garfield and Friends Meet & Greet will be taking place at the Queensbay Mall while the 1st Avenue mall invites shoppers to participate in a kolam design competition to get into the spirit of Deepavali.

Those who are into Sarawakian products and culture, do not miss the Sarawak Showcase at Plaza Angsana mall in Tampoi, Johor Bahru.

Over at Kuantan, Pahang, the East Coast Mall will be organising workshops for Christmas clay doll painting, Christmas wishing card decoration, Christmas origami and New Year card design for its visitors.

The Boulevard shopping mall and the Imperial mall in Sarawak will entice its visitors with the “Buy & Fly!” Lucky Draw Contest which offers return tickets to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.

MasterCard Promotions at 1MYES 2012:
MasterCard® brings shoppers the best shopping offers with more privileges and benefits, from instant mall redemptions to priceless experiences. Cardholders will get the opportunity to walk away with instant redemptions and exciting contest prizes at participating malls in Malaysia. So get your MasterCard ready and gear up for the Sale, That’s MasterCard, That’s Priceless.

KL Fashion Weekend:
The KL Fashion Weekend will be held on 21 and 22 November 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

The two-day fashion showcase will present fashion shows featuring new trends for hair, make-up and fashion from the Autumn-Winter 2012/2013 collection. The participating departmental stores include Debenhams and Metrojaya.

The shows are open to the public. For more information and to register for free seats, log onto www.klfashionweekend.com. Walk-in guests are required to turn up an hour before the show.

Christmas Magic is On!:
Malls will be decked in full festivity to usher in the Christmas celebrations. Look out for giant Christmas trees, carousels, Santa Claus, caroling performances and holiday shows. 

New Year Countdown on 31 Dec: 
Welcome the New Year with free concerts, live music deejays, hotel packages, gala dinners and a firework spectacular at Bukit Bintang and KLCC.

CONTRIBUTION OF SHOPPING SECTOR IN MALAYSIA:
Shopping is a lucrative sector of Malaysia’s tourism industry. It holds the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after accommodation.

Last year, tourists spent RM17.5 billion on shopping which constituted 30 percent of the total receipts of RM58.3 billion. It recorded a growth of 8 percent against the figure in 2010 (RM16.2 billion). In 2000, when the first Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival was organised, shopping only constituted 23.1% of total tourist expenditures.

BBKLCC Tourism Association
The Bukit Bintang – Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area has been upgraded and designated as Malaysia’s premier shopping precinct. The BB-KLCC Tourism Association was set up in September 2011 to coordinate the marketing and promotional activities, as well as the development of the precinct into a major tourist shopping destination.

The BBKLCC Tourism Association comprises malls such as Berjaya Times Square, Fahrenheit 88, Lot 10, Pavilion KL, Plaza Low Yat, Starhill Gallery, Sungei Wang Plaza, Suria KLCC and BB Plaza as well as 26 hotels, offices and retailers as members.

A key objective of the association is to establish Malaysia as a world shopping paradise, particularly the BBKLCC area, through concerted efforts of participating malls, hotels, retailers and F&B operators. Its strategy to achieve this is by organising top quality events and attractions, as well as by addressing the infrastructure and facility enhancements in the area with authorities.

Some of the headway that have been made in recent months include the completion of an elevated and air-conditioned pedestrian bridge spanning a length of 537 metres connecting the KLCC region to the Bukit Bintang region. Along with two other pedestrian connections within the area, there is a total of 1,350 metres of covered walkways for public use and convenience.

Global Shopper Index
Kuala Lumpur has been ranked the second best shopping destination in Asia Pacific – as reported by the latest Globe Shopper Index, cementing its position as a shopping paradise. The report stated that Kuala Lumpur’s specific strength is its ability to combine low prices with a good range of products in a large number of stores. It also took note of the Government's mammoth investments in developing KLCC and Bukit Bintang as a “premier shopping precinct in Malaysia”.

Twenty five cities in the region were assessed under five categories in the Globe Shopper Index which was created by the Economist Intelligence Unit, commissioned by Switzerland-based shopping tourism company Global Blue.

Duty-Free Shopping Destination
Positioning Malaysia as a duty-free shopping destination for tourist goods is one of the three Entry Point Projects (EPPs) undertaken to increase shopping receipts to 35 percent by 2020, under the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan (MTTP). Imported goods that are not subject to custom duty at all are readily available all over the country and not limited to duty-free zones. Aside from 5 categories of products – cars, glasswares, cigarettes, alcohol and chocolates - all other products are tax exempted in Malaysia.

Shoppers can look forward to more varieties of imported goods and at better prices. This move is part of the Malaysian Government’s efforts to enhance the country’s position as a destination for duty-free shopping. Through this effort, Malaysia hopes to attract a wider range of principal brands to invest in the country. It also facilitates lower and more competitive pricing of imported merchandise, giving Malaysian retailers a competitive edge over retailers in other countries.

-Tourism Malaysia.

AAPA welcomes suspension of Europe's ETS

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has responded with a "cautious welcome" to news that the inclusion of international aviation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has been suspended, but remains wary that the move "may not go far enough".

The European Commission on Monday "stopped the clock", implementing a year-long suspension of the ETS for international airlines, which means they will not have to surrender allowances for carbon emissions produced flying in and out of Europe during 2012 next April. Flights within the EU, however, will still be charged.

AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman, said in a press statement: “In making this long overdue move, the EU has finally bowed to the inevitable, in effect acknowledging that it cannot unilaterally impose the scheme on non-EU airlines without the consent of other governments.”

He added: “Temporarily suspending the scheme is obviously a positive gesture by the EU, but may not go far enough. The implied threat of an automatic snapback in a year’s time means that the EU will still be seen by some as negotiating with a gun on the table.” The move follows recent scathing criticism from the association at its 56^th Assembly of Presidents.

AAPA, which has argued that an international industry such as aviation requires a coherent global policy framework on emissions, said it would continue to work with other stakeholders to encourage the development of proposals for consideration by the ICAO Assembly in September next year.

Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, urged all parties to ICAO to make full use of this window of time to take action towards creating an international framework to govern emissions. She said: “Let me be very clear: if this exercise does not deliver – and I hope it does – then needless to say we are back to where we are today with the EU ETS. Automatically.”

-TTG Asia.

The ride of your life at Waterworld

The Tornado Ride is the park’s main attraction.

SHAH ALAM: Families and their children will have more fun this school holidays as WaterWorld @ i-City open its doors to the public tomorrow.

The RM25 million water theme park features the Tornado Ride -- a zero-gravity journey on a tube raft down a 48.8m water tunnel connected to a seven-storey funnel. The thrilling 28-second ride is formed by connecting a steep 49m tunnel from the launch tower to the funnel, which opens at 18m in diameter at the top and reduces gradually to 3m at the bottom.

Riding in groups of four, adventurers enter the top of the tornado funnel in a tube raft at the speed of 13m per second before accelerating into the 45-degree funnel. The weight of the riders controls the oscillations during the ride. Oscillations of between four and six bring the riders high up along the opposite funnel wall, giving them the sense of weightlessness similar to the zero-gravity effect experienced in outer space. It is the only theme park in the region to feature such a ride, which originated in Canada in 2003.

The water theme park is offering a special discount of 50 per cent for the opening day, and thereafter 40 per cent until Nov 24 for pre-purchased tickets. Tickets are normally priced at RM50 per person. WaterWorld @ i-City will have a 10-day carnival to celebrate its opening.

I-Bhd director Monica Ong said the water theme park offers another outlet of wholesome outdoor fun for families to spend quality time together. "We are happy to bring the Tornado Ride to Malaysia so that families can have a memorable day out this school holidays. "This 4ha water theme park is able to accommodate up to 5,000 visitors a day.

"The theme park is suitable for all ages, as we feature sections that are specially designed for toddlers, teenagers, families and even for the elderly. "The Tornado Ride is in line with i-City's vision of having a technology-based hub in Shah Alam for both its commercial and leisure facilities," said Ong at a recent media preview. She added that every aspect has been taken into account to ensure that the Tornado Ride is safe.

Every minute, 20,000 litres of water is pumped into the funnel to ensure a smooth ride. The Tornado can take 480 riders an hour. For those who want a more relaxing activity, laze in the giant Jacuzzi while water jets relieve tired muscles, or enjoy a river adventure through a rocky cave illuminated by LED lights.

These activities are suitable for adults. There is also a children's adventure pool for toddlers, and multi-rainbow slides for older children. The are also food and beverage kiosks, and locker rooms at the park. WaterWorld@i-City also offers a wave pool with a stage and LCD screen for concerts and special events.

WaterWorld @ i-City operates from 10am to 7pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 7pm on weekends, inclusive of public holidays. You can also host private events and functions from 7.30pm to noon. For more information, call 03-5521 8800/8494 or email feedback@i-city.my.

-nst online.

Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia Bike Ride @ Putrajaya 2012

Date: 16 December 2012 (Sunday)

Time: 7.00 am ~ 2.00 pm

Venue: Putra Square, Putrajaya

-Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia Bike Ride facebook.

Added attraction in Johor

Beautifully designed: The entrance to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, which is the first one in the world outside of Japan at the RM115mil four-storey Puteri Harbour Indoor Theme Park in Nusajaya.

The opening of another theme park in Iskandar Malaysia is set to attract more tourists to Johor and boost the state’s tourism sector.

The Puteri Harbour Indoor Theme Park is the second to open in Nusajaya last month after Asia’s first Legoland Theme Park opened in September this year. The four-storey indoor theme park which opened its doors on October 26, offers theme cafes, seven rides including a train, windmill, helicopter and bumper car for both children and adults.

Popular caricature Lat’s Kampung Boy café is expected to open at the end of the year. The RM115mil theme park houses the first Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in the world outside Japan.

HIT Entertainment’s The Little Big Club lovable characters like Bob the Builder, Barney, Angelina Ballerina and Thomas and Friends also have made the park their “home”.

Happy faces : Tourists from The Phillippines grabbing the chance to hug and snap photos with Hello Kitty mascots.

Children as well as adults were equally excited at the sight of the adorable cartoon characters came “alive” right before their very own eyes.

They could pose photographs with the life-sized mascots of Hello Kitty and her friend Daniel. Or learn ballet moves with Angelina Ballerina and even watch live performances by Barney and Thomas and Friends. Visitors especially children were seen squealing in excitement as they went into Hello Kitty’s multi-hues coloured complete with furniture.

Best friends from SJKC Ming Terk in Gelang Patah, Tin Jing Xian and K. Anusha, both 11, said that they could not sleep the night before because they were too excited to visit the theme park. “The Hello Kitty mini street parade is my favourite part of the theme park as the characters are very entertaining with their lively dance and colourful costumes,’’ said Tin.

Lots of choices: A Hello Kitty maze game that visitors can participate in at the theme park in Nusajaya.

Anusha on the other hand, enjoyed the Thomas and Friend bumper car rides. Singaporean Mohd Hashim Abu Othman, 50, said he and his 26-year old wife jumped at the chance to visit the theme park.

“The hotel staff told us about its opening, so we decided to visit it as well as the Legoland. My wife was more excited than our two-year old son and she kept snapping photos of the rides on her mobile phone,’’ he said.

-thestar online.

www.playtime.com.my

Medini mall, your latest shopping fix

Shoppers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options.

KUALA LUMPUR: Johoreans no longer need to travel to neighbouring Singapore for their shopping now that Johor has acquired its latest shopping mall.

Phase One of the mall known as the Mall of Medini opened its doors to the public in September. The mall is now the lifestyle, entertainment and recreational epicentre of Nusajaya, which is one of the five key development centres of Iskandar Malaysia.

Mall of Medini, which is next to Asia's first theme park, Legoland Malaysia, offers food, shopping, entertainment and lifestyle outlets. Phase Two, Three and Four of the mall are scheduled to be completed within the next eight years.

Built to serve the needs of local and international visitors, the mall has a variety of retailers such as outlets for snacks, desserts and confectionery, as well as other food and beverage outlets. It also has fashion, gift and souvenir shops, among others.

Currently, 90 per cent of the retail lots have been taken up by household names such as KFC, Manhattan Fish Market, Royal Selangor, Penang Village, Kaki-Kaki Reflexology, Polo Haus, Al-Ikhsan, Tutti Frutti, 1901, myNews.com and Blackball.

The Mall of Medini is strategically located to nearby signature developments such as Kota Iskandar, Puteri Harbour, Horizon Hills, Educity, as well as residential areas in Nusajaya. The mall will thus have an ample captive market for it.

UEM Land Holdings Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim said future phases of the project will introduce unique and exciting new additions to the overall development of the mall.

Phase Two will be designed to cater to sports-minded teenagers and the young-at-heart by focusing on spaces for recreational activities such as ice-skating, laser tagging, rock climbing and indoor go-karting.

Phase Three will provide art and cultural spaces, besides more activity-inspired outlets for the community via dance studios, fitness centres, an art school, boutique galleries and experimental theater, among others.

Phase Four will complete the big picture with entertainment-based outlets such as bowling alleys, multiple cineplexes, and "experiential" fine dining.

Mall of Medini opens daily between 9am and 9pm. It is at 4 Lebuh Medini Utara, Medini Iskandar Malaysia, Nusajaya, Johor. Alternatively, visitors can use GPS coordinates 1.428868, 103.633218 to locate it. For more information, email mallofmedini@uemland.uemnet.com, or visit Mall of Medini's Facebook page.

-nst online.

Top 10 Tourist Arrivals To Malaysia - January~June 2012 (By Country Of Nationality)

1. Singapore 5,832,330

2. Indonesia 1,108,361

3. China 758,289

4. Thailand 638,641

5. Brunei 588,165

6. India 365,104

7. Australia 242,579

8. Philippines 238,175

9. Japan 215,872

10. United Kingdom 196,738

Total worldwide arrivals 11,632,478

-Tourism Malaysia.