'Introduction To Birdwatching' Package By Jenut Holidays

Taman Negara Pahang is one of the main protected areas in Malaysia that is popular with visitors from all over the world. With over 479 species, the park has the highest concentration of bird species in the region and this has made Taman Negara as a perfect location for anyone learning to become a birder.  Jenut Holidays is offering An Introduction to Birdwatching Course in Malaysia and the course is available all year round. This introductory course covers topics like: birds, nature and us; bird topography; birding equipment; bird identification; bird photography; and bird inventory. Field trips cover birding trekking tours and boat expeditions in Taman Negara.  The speakers and bird guides for the course have spent many years researching bird activities in Taman Negara. Sign up for our 5 Days 4 Nights "Introduction to Birdwatching" course and you will find yourself engaged in a rewarding and intriguing past time.  The programme: DAY 1 - 2 Arrival Ice-breaking Session Classroom Sessions and Field Trips DAY 3 - 4 Field Trips and Boat Expeditions DAY 5 Morning Birdwatching Departure Package price: RM990.00 per person (minimum 20 persons) Package includes: Four nights accommodation, entry permit, full board meals, classroom session, course modules, field trips, boat expeditions, services of bird guides and certificate of attendance. Package excludes: Transportation to and from Taman Negara and Camera License (RM5.00 per camera) -Jenut Holidays Sdn Bhd. http://tamannegarapahang.com/Home.php

Singer Gary Chaw is Sabah tourism ambassador

KOTA KINABALU: Local-born singer Gary Chaw has been appointed Sabah tourism ambassador.

Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming made the announcement at a welcome dinner he hosted for the singer at a hotel last night.

Chaw, 37, a singer-cum-songwriter based in Taiwan will assume his role as ambassador for two years until June 3, 2018.

"I have always promoted Sabah to my fans and friends outside Malaysia whenever I can. I would recommend the beaches and islands and especially, my hometown of Kota Belud to potential visitors," he told those present at the event.

About 100 of Chaw's fans from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were specially flown by the singer to attend the event on sponsored flights, including AirAsia and MAS.

Chaw will soon release his new album, A Friend, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of his involvement in the music industry.

"The album is about my personal journey and challenges as a singer in the last 10 years. I directed my own music videos in the album," he said.

The singer holds his first concert in Sabah for an estimated 2,000 fans, including some 1,000 from throughout the country, at the beachfront of Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa in Tuaran today.

Chaw sings mostly Mandarin pop and rhythm and blues and is well known in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Taiwan.

He is of Hakka and Murut heritage and lives with his wife and two children, aged five and eight in Taiwan.

-thesundaily.

Dataran Merdeka to host Supercar Drag Race next month

KUALA LUMPUR: The first ever KL Supercar Drag Race will be held at Dataran Merdeka from July 17 until December 4.

Its chairman Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin said more than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the competition.

"This is the first time that a race is going to be held at the center of Kuala Lumpur. We expect more than 1,600 supercar owners to participate.

"Thus, organising it in the heart of the city would attract tourists from around the globe," he said. Nazir Hussin, who is also the Umno Youth Housing and Urban Affairs chairman, said the race will be held separately in four series.

"The first will be from July 15 to July 17; the second from September 16 to 18; third from November 4 to 6, and the fourth from December 2 until 4.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be officiating this event during the second series," he said during the pre-launch here, tonight. Further information could be found by visiting www.klsupercardragrace.com or by logging on social media sites Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and searching for KL Supercar Drag Race.
-nst online.

Fifth And Ninth Row Start For DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team In Catalan Grand Prix

Barcelona - Catalunya, Spain – Saturday 4th June

Circuit: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Circuit Length: 4.7 km

Bike #84 – Jakub Kornfeil
QP: P16; 1’54.881 – 16 laps

Bike #7 – Adam Norrodin
QP: P25; 1’55.576 – 15 laps

After qualifying 16th for tomorrow’s Catalan Grand Prix, DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team rider Jakub Kornfeil was elevated to 15th position following a grid penalty imposed on rider #4, Giannantonio. Despite previous struggles around the 4.7km circuit, Kornfeil concluded the day ten positions higher than last year and just 0.857s off pole.

With the top eighteen riders separated by only one second, Moto3 rookie Adam Norrodin had a tough job at hand to secure a 1m54s lap time. Digging deep the young Malay worked hard to better his pace, but caught up in traffic during the final moments, was unable to break into the top twenty, qualifying in 25th place for tomorrows 22 lap race.

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager
“Today’s qualifying wasn’t very good in terms of positions but we are still confident for tomorrow. Both riders have a good set-up and we’re positive we can improve a lot from our starting positions for the race. We definitely need to aim for top ten for Jakub and for Adam we hope that he can finish in the points as well. The pace of both riders is not so far off from reaching their individual targets; it’s still achievable. We will continue to give them the best bike possible, then it’s up to them to be smart and push hard in the race.”

#84 Jakub Kornfeil 
“I feel optimistic about tomorrow’s race because I can see we are still very close. It’s not my favourite track, so I’m actually quite pleased with my grid position today; last year I was 26th in qualifying. I have to look at this race weekend in this way and focus on finishing the race with as many points as possible. Our target today was to do a time of 1m54.8s and that’s exactly what I did. I am only two tenths off the third row, which is nothing; this is only a slip stream or a good start. I’m feeling positive and the bike is working well. It’s going to be a tough race but I am prepared to fight.”

#7 Adam Norrodin
“Qualifying today was so tough. The bike is better than yesterday and I felt good but unfortunately we were a bit unlucky out on track. My first quick lap time was not so far away, so I was confident I could push to be in the top twenty. When I went out for my final run a couple of riders crossed my line and then on the last lap they made some mistakes and one rider crashed. I couldn’t get a clean lap. I was so annoyed. This lost me my lap time. I’m not happy with my grid position for tomorrow but we are not so far away with our lap time, 1.5s from the top. It will be a tough race starting from so far back but I’m going to do everything I can to make a good start and go with a good group. I feel quite strong with my braking here so hopefully I can battle for a result in the points tomorrow.” 

-SIC Racing Team facebook.
PelanconganKini supports DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team.

Note: DRIVE M7 merchandises are available at http://www.m7shop.com/home.aspx
Drive/M7 x Nicky Hayden 69 merchandises now available.
New Drive M7 Vitamin Drink also now available.

Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2016 ( 28 ~ 30 October 2016 )

Held on 28-30 October 2016, just 4 weeks after the Malaysia F1 Grand Prix, the two biggest international motorsports events make for a high adrenaline October in Malaysia. Fans can expect an even bigger and better Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix 2016, with passionate rivalry on the track and a spectacular motocarnival for passionate two-wheel motorsports enthusiasts off the track.

With more than 100 booths, the motocarnival offers just about everything a fan could want. MotoGP race week, arguably the best two-wheel motorsports festival in Southeast Asia, extends across the Klang Valley, with off-track entertainment, fan engagement with riders and other exciting activities. Local fans will definitely want to root for Adam Norrodin, who is making his Malaysia MotoGP debut as a DRIVE M7 SIC Racing team rookie, and not forgetting, cheer on national favourites Hafizh Syahrin in the Moto 2 category.

Get your tickets from:

Online at www.AirAsiaRedtix.com

-AirAsia RedTix.

Sektor pelancongan Sabah berpotensi tinggi – Najib

NAJIB TUN RAZAK bersama Maximus Johnity Ongkili (kiri) dan Joseph Pairin Kitingan (kanan) melakukan gimik pelancaran dalam Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia Tadau Kaamatan di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. Utusan/Nasirruddin Yazid

KUALA LUMPUR 3 Jun – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, Sabah mempunyai potensi yang tinggi dalam sektor pelancongan terutama dengan beberapa pembangunan yang sedang giat dilaksanakan di negeri itu.

Perdana Menteri berkata, antara projek besar yang dibangunkan ialah Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Sabah yang mendapat suntikan daripada kerajaan Pusat sebanyak RM200 juta, Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah sepanjang 706 kilometer serta pembangunan semula pantai Tanjung Aru.

“Ini semua kerana usaha sama antara kerajaan Pusat dan kerajaan negeri di bawah Barisan Nasional (BN). Saya dimaklumkan dalam seminggu terdapat 46 pe­nerbangan dari China ke Sabah,” katanya ketika berucap melancarkan Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia (MRTM) Tadau Kaamatan di Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan Malaysia (MaTIC) di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Menteri Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abd. Aziz; Menteri Tenaga Teknologi Hijau dan Air, Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili; Menteri Sains dan Teknologi, Datuk Seri Madius Tangau dan Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Majlis rumah terbuka bagi pe­rayaan etnik Kadazan Dusun dan Murut yang julung kali diadakan di ibu negara bertujuan mempromosi negeri Sabah dan budaya masyarakat setempat, selain meningkatkan lagi persefahaman dan perpaduan masyarakat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

Sambutan itu diadakan selama dua hari bermula hari ini dan dimeriahkan dengan pelbagai acara termasuk pameran, persembahan kesenian dan kebudayaan, jamuan rakyat serta persembahan daripada artis terkenal dari Sabah seperti Adira, Jimmy Palikat dan Clarice John Matta.

Sementara itu, Najib berkata, sambutan Rumah Terbuka Tadau Kaamatan itu merupakan sebahagian daripada falsafah 1Malaysia yang menjadi pegangan kerajaan.

Beliau berkata, jika rakyat berbilang kaum saling hormat-menghormati antara satu sama lain, negara akan terus mencapai kejayaan dan mengecapi kemakmuran.

-utusan online.

Catalunya Challenge Commences For DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team

Barcelona - Catalunya, Spain – Friday 3rd June

Circuit: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Circuit Length: 4.7 km

Bike #84 – Jakub Kornfeil
FP1: P4; 1’52.289 – 16 laps
FP2: P21; 1’52.878– 12 laps

Bike #7 – Adam Norrodin
FP1: P21; 1’53.726 – 16 laps
FP2: P25; 1’53.199 –16 laps

The Catalan Grand Prix got off to a positive start for the DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team with Jakub Kornfeil concluding Free Practice One in 4th place and newcomer Adam Norrodin just missing out on a top twenty position in 21st place.
Determined to improve his performance around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Jakub Kornfeil pushed hard on board the Honda NSF 250RW, achieving his personal best lap time around the circuit. With track temperature increasing for afternoon practice, the Czech rider was unable to better his lap time alone and so instead focussed his attentions on testing various settings ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying.
Malay rookie Adam Norrodin made a good start on board his #7 machine as he concentrated on race pace and riding style. Remaining in the top fifteen for the majority of the first forty minute practice, Norrodin continued his progress in Free Practice Two, improving his time and confident that the knowledge gained today will enable him to take the next step tomorrow.

#84 Jakub Kornfeil

“I must firstly say thanks to my team because they did a really great job with the bike today. This morning I enjoyed riding so much, especially with the new tyres in the end. It’s the fastest I’ve ever been here, which is very positive. This afternoon conditions changed so we decided to try some different settings. During the first stop my crew chief made some modifications on the bike and it worked much better. I did another two laps after, still with the same used tyres and I was able to improve my pace which was a very positive step. In the end we put the new soft tyres in and it felt better again but unfortunately I lost contact with the group in front. I tried to push a lone but this made things a lot harder. We were also unlucky at the end of the practice because I got the chequered flag by 0.1 seconds, which I didn’t see at the time, so I kept pushing. This last lap was my fastest; 1m52.4s; with this I could have been 14th or 15th at the end of FP2. Nevertheless we found something more today and I’m feeling confident about to tomorrow.”

#7 Adam Norrodin
“Practice today went well. In FP1 I felt good and for the majority of the session we were more or less in the top fifteen. Towards the end of the session everyone else made a big step with the new tyre but I struggled with it. I didn’t have a good feeling with the new tyre at all. In FP2 we improved our time by 0.5 tenths but still it wasn’t enough. I made my fastest time with used tyres so if we can find something in our setting for the new tyre, for sure I can do much better. At this moment I’m not confident with the new soft tyre. We will work on this tonight so that in FP3 tomorrow morning we can make a good step ahead of qualifying. I think this weekend will be quite tough because everyone is so close but I feel positive that I can improve my race pace and qualify better.”

-SIC Racing Team facebook.
PelanconganKini supports DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team.

Note: DRIVE M7 merchandises are available at http://www.m7shop.com/home.aspx
Drive/M7 x Nicky Hayden 69 merchandises now available.
New Drive M7 Vitamin Drink also now available.

Malaysia International Finger-Style Guitar Festival 2016 ( 22 July 2016 )

This year’s International Finger Style Guitar Festival (IFSGF) will be held in Malaysia for the 2nd time, on July 22th 2016, 8.00 pm at Wisma MCA Auditorium.

The festival is organized by the Malaysian chapter of the Wind Strings Music group.

Music from well renowned finger-style guitarists such as Youtube start Andy Mckee from USA, Masa Sumide and Masaaki Kishibe from Japan, Sandra Bae and Erica Cho from Korea will be featured in the concert.

The IFSGF has already been making its rounds in countries like Korea, China, and Taiwan earlier in July before heading to Vietnam and finally Malaysia.
-www.ticketcharge.com.my

Kementerian Pelancongan Dan Kebudayaan Komited Promosi Sarawak Dan Sabah

KUCHING, 3 Jun (Bernama) -- Kementerian Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan komited mempromosikan Sabah dan Sarawak sebagai destinasi pelancongan yang menawarkan kepelbagaian produk pelancongan daripada tarikan berasaskan ekopelancongan, pengalaman pelbagai budaya, acara dan perayaan.

Menterinya Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz berkata antara usaha yang dilaksanakan ialah menerusi jalinan usaha sama strategik dengan syarikat penerbangan untuk mempromosi Sabah dan Sarawak sebagai destinasi pelancongan.

Katanya usaha pertama yang dilaksanakan Tourism Malaysia menerusi memorandum persefahaman (MoU) dengan Singapore Airlines (SIA) di Bursa Pelancongan Antarabangsa Berlin, Mac lalu bagi membawa masuk lebih ramai pelancong Eropah ke Malaysia pada tahun ini.
-bernama.
http://www.malaysia.travel/en/my

Adam To Get Racing Tips From Zulfahmi For Catalunya Grand Prix

SEPANG, 2 June 2016 - Malaysia’s Moto3 rookie Muhammad Adam Norrodin of the DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team will be having additional support and guidance this weekend when he competes in the Catalunya MotoGP in Barcelona - from the highly experienced Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

Zulfahmi, who is currently on a three-week break before his next race in the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP), is joining Sepang International Circuit Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Razlan Razali at the Catalunya MotoGP to provide moral support to the young Adam and his Czech teammate Jakub Kornfeil.

“Hopefully, I can provide him with some tips for the race here in Barcelona. I have raced at this circuit many times during my GP 125cc and Moto3 days and hope to share that knowledge with Adam. For his rookie season, I think Adam is performing commendably, especially during the race in Argentina where he could have finished second behind Khairul Idham Pawi,” said Zulfahmi.

“The first year is always about learning and mastering your skills. Adam has shown plenty of potential and good skills. He just needs to sharpen his skills further and boost his self-confidence. I believe he is likely to climb the podium in the near future,” shared Zulfahmi, who is the first Malaysian to score podium wins in the MotoGP, including one in Valencia in 2012.

Zulfahmi, who is currently competing for Team Orelac Racing VerdNatura in the WorldSSP, also remarked that his former teammate Kornfeil has been doing very well this season.

After six rounds, Kornfeil sits 7th overall with 36 points while Adam, who turns 18 on 13 June, is 24th in the championship standings with five points. South African Brad Binder leads the championship with 127 points.

Meanwhile, Zulfahmi is currently 10th overall with 40 points in the WorldSSP. His next race will be Round 8 at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” from 17 to 19 June 2016.
-SIC Racing Team facebook.
PelanconganKini supports DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team.

Note: DRIVE M7 merchandises are available at http://www.m7shop.com/home.aspx
Drive/M7 x Nicky Hayden 69 merchandises now available.
New Drive M7 Vitamin Drink also now available.

Vietjet flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur

photo: Tourism Malaysia

VietJet yesterday launched its inaugural Ho Chi Minh City-Kuala Lumpur daily service, taking off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9.30 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12.25.

The return flight will depart at 13.00 and arrive in Vietnam at 13.55. Each leg of the route takes approximately an hour and 55 minutes to complete.

Vietjet currently also offers twice-daily flights from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City. Other international routes include Bangkok, Siem Reap, Taipei, Yangon and Seoul.

-TTG Asia.

Konsert 3 Kejora Bersatu @ Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur ( 7 & 8 Oktober 2016 )

“Qum...Fa Anzir” secara ringkasnya ia membawa maksud “kebangkitan” dan ianya berbentuk satu peringatan untuk individu supaya sentiasa berubah atau berhijrah kearah yang lebih baik dari masa ke semasa. Bersempena meraikan kedatangan tahun baru islam iaitu Muharram 1438H, penganjuran konsert ini di pentas yang berprestij Istana Budaya adalah bertujuan untuk mengembalikan kegemilangan kebangkitan lagu lagu nasyid kontemporari sekitar tahun 1996 dahulu yang sememangnya mencetus fenomena yang luarbiasa. 

Kemunculan kumpulan Brothers membuka dimensi baru dalam industri muzik tanahair dimana genre nasyid kontemporari mula mendapat perhatian. Lagu lagu seperti Teman Sejati, Satu Perjuangan dan Man Ana mula mendapat perhatian peminat nasyid dan media tempatan. Kebolehan mereka membawakan lagu lagu dalam bahasa Arab dan Inggeris menjadikan mesej mesej murni yang disampaikan mudah difahami oleh pelbagai lapisan masyarakat.

Industri muzik dirancakkan lagi dengan kemunculan kumpulan Hijjaz yang mempertaruhkan genre yang sama bagi meneruskan legasi kegemilangan lagu lagu nasyid kontemporari. Kejayaan meraih Anugerah Gold & Platinum diatas penjualan album Keizinanmu yang melebihi 90,000 unit, telah membuktikan bahawa mereka juga mampu berdiri teguh mewarnai industri hiburan.

Tanpa disedari, ledakan arus lagu lagu berunsur ketuhanan, nasihat, dakwah ini turut mengalami perubahan pada konsep irama yang lebih segar dan diadun dengan alat muzik moden. Atas keberanian itu kumpulan Rabbani yang sememangnya dikenali di awal kemunculan dengan nama Nadamurni ini telah berjaya menggegarkan industri tanahair dengan lagu lagu nasyid moden seperti Pergi Tak Kembali, Intifada, Iqrar, Apa Yang Kau Tahu dan banyak lagi. Karya mereka mendapat pengiktirafan apabila berjaya mendominasi Anugerah Album Nasyid Terbaik selama 3 tahun berturut turut. Kejayaan manis ini membuktikan bahawa lagu lagu nasyid mampu memberi impak yang besar kepada industri hiburan tanah air. Tidak hanya hiburan, malah bait bait lirik yang dilafazkan dapat memberi aspirasi kepada keharmonian dan kesejahteraan manusia sejagat.

Justeru itu, KAY Event Management & Services selaku penerbit menggalas tanggungjawab dengan membawa perintis kepada kebangkitan industri nasyid tanah air ini bersatu dalam sebuah konsert yang sangat epik dan amat mengagumkan. Bagaikan kejora yang bergemerlapan, ketiga tiga kumpulan nasyid ini bakal mengalunkan lagu lagu hits dari album mereka sebagai hadiah kepada peminat di dalam dan di luar negara yang tidak jemu menyokong kerjaya seni mereka sehingga kini.

Hampir dua dekad memperjuangkan irama nasyid dan keberadaan mereka di atas pentas berprestij Istana Budaya pasti ditunggu-tunggu. Dengan kecanggihan teknologi pentas dan sentuhan artistik yang memukau, konsert ini bakal memberi nafas baru kepada penggemar lagu lagu nasyid di Malaysia disamping mengangkat karya nasyid tempatan ke tahap yang lebih tinggi dan membanggakan.

Konsert ini menjanjikan sentuhan muzik yang digubah menyimpang dari stigma umum dengan gabungan pemuzik professional dan iringan strings ensemble. Himpunan lagu lagu malar segar dan terkini bakal mewarnai spektrum suara mereka. Ironinya mereka akan berpadu vokal dalam genre yang berbeza yang pastinya akan menggugat emosi mereka yang mendengarnya. Penampilan khas kumpulan acapella Colour of Voices yang pernah di viralkan semestinya akan menjanjikan sesuatu yang menarik dan nostalgik. Keterujaan bakal dirasai dengan gabungan vokal mereka bersama Brothers, Hijjaz dan Rabbani yang pertamanya di saksikan di atas pentas berprestij ini.

Konsert 3 Kejora Bersatu ini berlangsung selama 2 hari iaitu pada 7 dan 8 Oktober 2016 jam 8.30 malam bertempat di Panggung Sari Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Tiket tiket beharga RM50, RM70, RM100, RM150, RM200 dan RM250 boleh didapati di kaunter tiket Box-Office Istana Budaya atau layari laman sesawang www.airasiaredtix.com untuk info lanjut. Bersama samalah kita menyemarakkan industri nasyid tanah air dan semoga usaha murni yang dilakukan dengan ikhlasnya dianggap ibadah. Insyaallah.

“ Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, belanjakanlah (di jalan Allah) sebahagian daripada rezeki yang telah Kami berikan kepadamu sebelum datang hari yang pada hari itu tidak ada lagi jual beli dan tidak ada lagi persahabatan yang akrab dan tidak ada lagi syafaat. Dan orang-orang kafir itulah orang-orang yang zalim..” ( Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat : 254) 

Get your tickets from:

1. Online at www.AirAsiaRedtix.com
2. Rock Corner outlets:	The Gardens, Mid Valley (TEL: 03 - 2201 4893)
	Subang Parade (TEL: 03 - 5613 1139)
	The Curve (TEL: 03 - 7733 1139)
	Bangsar Village (TEL: 03-22021139)
3. Victoria Music outlets:	Sg Wang(TEL: 03 - 2148 7208)
	Amcorp (TEL: 03 - 7956 0592)
	Tropicana (TEL: 03 - 7722 2955)
4. Penang outlets:	Artist Gallery, Gurney Plaza
	Artist Gallery, Queensbay Mall
5. Istana Budaya Jalan Tun Razak	03 40265558

-AirAsia RedTix.

Less Singapore outbound as spending power declines

Outbound traffic from Singapore shrank 1.3 per cent in the first five months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.

According to business management consultant GfK, the reduced traveller volume can be attributed to cutbacks on discretionary expenditure such as leisure travel, fueled by a weakening economy and uncertainty in the financial markets plus rising redundancy in job functions.

  

China remains the top destination for Singapore travellers but growth in arrivals has dipped to a mere 1.3 per cent. Meanwhile, Thailand maintains its runner-up position.

Of the top 10 destinations, only Indonesia reported double digit growth with a 10.8 per cent gain in arrivals, while Japan saw a significant 18.4 per cent drop.

Commenting on Japan's slow growth, Anthony Tan, APAC lead for travel and hospitality at GfK, said: “Despite continued efforts in marketing Japan, the recent earthquake has taken its toll."

Currency effects are keeping certain markets buoyant however, with Australia seeing a modest 1.2 per cent growth due to favourable exchange rates for the Singapore dollar.

Beyond the 10 most popular destinations, South Korea saw a 16 per cent increase in Singaporean arrivals, a trend that may be partially attributed to the appreciation of the Singapore dollar against the Korean won.

Data shows that South-east Asia is still the most travelled region for Singapore travellers with traditional beach holiday destinations like Phuket, Bali and Langkawi gaining in popularity versus those further afield.

GfK predicts leisure travel to continue facing strong headwinds in the second half of the year as market conditions remain tenuous.

-TTG Asia.