Malaysia Airlines - Improved load factor for quarter four 2016

Sepang, 1 March 2017: Malaysia Airlines Berhad (“MAB”) today reported a strong result for Q4 2016.  Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew said that bookings accelerated in the last quarter thanks to a focus on the premium business traveller and all-inclusive economy fares.

He added: ‘The last quarter saw a good performance in a challenging environment. Our staff have worked hard to improve customer service which is reflected in increased bookings. Our focus is to be a five star premium Asian airline, offering the best of “Malaysian Hospitality” to 15 million customers a year, travelling to 54 destinations in 21 countries. At the core of our brand is the “Golden Rule - treat customers as you would wish to be treated yourself”.  The Golden Rule will be supported by simpler customer service policies and a large investment in training in 2017.’ 

Passenger load factors improved in Q4 2016 to 81% year on year from 70% Q4 2015, achieving 90% in the month of December. Malaysia Airlines has maintained our fare discipline despite competitor fares dropping. We remain focused on cost control and have identified a further RM400 million of cost reductions in 2017 to offset US Dollar strength.  The airline finished 49% ahead of our budgeted loss for the year 2016.   

Malaysia Airlines will continue to offer great value on all-inclusive business and economy fares while most carriers around the world continue to add extra charges and unbundle their fares. We see enormous growth potential from inbound tourism from China to Malaysia.

Q4 performance 

	Actual Q3 2016	Actual Q4 2016
Passengers (m)	3.6	3.8
ASK (m)	10,531.3	10,577.9
Passenger Load Factor (%)	79.3%	80.9%
Passenger Yield (sen)	21.7	21.5
On-Time Performance (%)	68%	70%

Commercial Progress

The focus in the first half of 2016 was on reducing cost and improving customer experience. The second half of 2016 saw a hard push on revenue generation with more aggressive sales and marketing initiatives.  This has translated to improvements in passenger load factors in the second half of 2016 at 80% against 72% in 2015. Load factor hit an impressive 90% for the month of December with the airline making a profit in this month. 

The Group continued its efforts to accelerate cost saving initiatives, which are tied to the KPIs of each business unit and subsidiary. These efforts are in tandem with a drive to realize cost savings as negotiated by the procurement division through its work on contract negotiations with all major suppliers.  

The airline and the Group finished the year ahead of budget and the Group’s turnaround initiatives are delivering positive results. Overall, the airline and the Group recorded a smaller loss than initially projected under the business plan for the fiscal year 2016. Looking forward, the Group remains cautious in the outlook for 2017, where the weaker Ringgit to the USD, overcapacity, and intense competition are expected to be the dominant themes for the year.  The Group continues to maintain strong year on year load performance and believes it will improve on targets for 2017, barring unexpected adverse declines in 2017 airfares due to overcapacity and intense competition.  

China expansion

The expansion plans to China successfully began in Q4 2016 with the launch of flights to Haikou.  Sales for Nanjing, Wuhan and Fuzhou also started in Q1 2017 with the first flight expected to commence in June 2017. The quarter also saw a service upgrade, for the morning Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong sector, with the Airbus 330 replacing the Boeing 737.

Operational improvements continue

Mishandled baggage reduced by 15% based on incidents per 1,000 compared to 2015.  On time performance in the fourth quarter was impacted by congestion at the KLIA main terminal and the restructuring of the immigration service.

The Boeing 737 fleet are now operating with a 35 minutes turnaround time (TAT) effective 27 October 2016 for the new winter season.  This will reduce the Group’s aircraft requirement by up to four 737s in 2017.   

A total of 17 fuel initiatives were monitored and tracked for 2016, with overall savings of 22.15 mil kg from a target of 13.3 mil kg per annum.

Investing in the Customer

Customer satisfaction and experience are key for the future growth of the airline and Malaysia Airlines was rated a five-star airline by Skytrax.  We have returned to the Skytrax quality scheme in 2017 and our target is to restore our previous high ratings by the end of 2018. Malaysia Airlines has continued investing in aircraft, product, service and technology as a core principle of its transformation programme.  Customer satisfaction was up 7 percentage points compared to the corresponding quarter a year ago, and reached an all-time record in October 2016. 

Steady improvements continued with better food and beverage. The quarter saw the airline rolling out the well-received Dine Anytime service, to all Australia, New Zealand and North Asia destinations.   

Other enhancements included the completion of the Business Class lie-flat seats on all 15 A330s in December 2016, ahead of schedule and on budget.  

For a more seamless and efficient check in process the airline introduced the Self Print Baggage Tag for all economy class passengers out of KLIA. All kiosks at Level 5 KLIA have been equipped with the function to print the baggage tags. Moving forward the Group hopes to embark on more self service functions in order to streamline the check in experience further.   

2017 will see work commence on the upgrading of Malaysia Airlines’ lounges in KLIA and London Heathrow airport.   

A380s for the Haj and Umrah

The Group is working towards finalising plans for the formation of a new airline, utilising six A380 aircraft, to service the Haj and Umrah market.  Interviews for key positions, for this airline, have already been initiated with plans underway with Airbus to increase the seat capacity to 720 seats on the aircraft.  

Technology driven company

The new passenger sales system from Amadeus is on target to be completed by June 2017.  Testing has already commenced with the US region successfully migrating to the new system in February 2017.  Once completed the airline will be able to offer customers a superior customer experience with enhanced speeds and convenience across all touch points. 

The quarter also saw the launch of the Malaysia Airlines Travel Hackathon. Malaysia Airlines was the first airline in the country to embark on this approach aimed at harnessing innovation and creativity amongst the digital community to improve the customer experience whilst attempting to increase the efficiency of the airline’s operations. 

Enhancing corporate governance

The Group’s Business Integrity unit achieved several milestones in the quarter towards a more transparent and accountable Group.  This included the introduction of a Knowledge Management Unit, set up to ensure understanding by staff on all policies within the Group including fraud and wildlife trafficking. A new automated system was also introduced for the declaration of gifts and conflicts of interest now done online. 

Investing in a talent pipeline and local succession planning

Talent development continued in the quarter with the aim that the future generation of leaders for the airline will be recruited entirely from within the Group.  The succession for the Group’s key senior managers has been identified, and programmes are in place to ensure a smooth transition. Leadership talent profiling and training intervention for Assistant Managers and above, and leadership skills training for Supervisors, Executives and Senior Executives, were completed this quarter 

The Works Council continued meetings in the quarter. The monthly meetings has enabled swift identification and resolutions to many employee issues. 

Malaysia Airlines also strengthened the Senior Management team with the appointment of a new Head of Marketing and Head of Sales in the quarter. 

FireFly  

Malaysia Aviation Group holds a 100% stake in FireFly which operates services from Subang Airport, close to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre.  FireFly reduced its operational fleet to 12 aircraft from 18 in Q4 to address financial losses.   Price competition for flights from Subang is particularly intense on the domestic market and FireFly will work to increase its average yield in Q1 2017 in a challenging market place.

MASwings  

 

Malaysia Aviation Group holds a 100% stake in MASwings which operates a fleet of 16 aircraft on turbo prop services domestically in the states of Sabah and Sarawak.  This airline operates services to some very remote parts of East Malaysia and is a key lifeline to many of its customers.   The operations breakeven with the assistance of financial support from the Federal Government under a Rural Air Services (RAS) agreement renewed approximately every 5 years.  The current agreement ends in  September 2017 and it is expected that it will be renewed, with a reduction in the level of services to cover 14 aircraft commencing in October 2017.   MASwings is in final discussions with the Ministry of Transport and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) on the final RAS for the next five years and hopes to conclude an agreement in Q1 2017.

MASKargo

 

MASKargo  Malaysia Airlines Group holds a 100% stake in MASKargo which operates three Airbus A330 freighters and a logistics trucking service. MASKargo has changed its operations to focus on regional operations covering ASEAN, China and Kazakhstan. MASKargo reduced its losses in 2016 and is close to breaking even in 2017.   The company is focusing increasingly on the intra-ASEAN ecommerce industry and China where there are many growth opportunities for a specialist cargo operator with access to the belly space of Malaysia Airlines’ strong network.

Outlook

The Group remains cautious in its outlook for the fiscal year 2017.  We have delivered a solid 2016 but a weak Malaysian Ringgit, overcapacity in the Malaysian market and any potential price war will make 2017 a challenging year.  Delivery of our first Airbus A350 is expected to be delayed by Airbus by one to two months to December 2017.   Malaysia Airlines may potentially seek additional widebody aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing for introduction in Q1 2018 to increase seats and improve product quality available on existing routes.  We expect yields to decline in the second half of the year due to irrational competition but our focus will be on reducing costs to maintain our financial position.  Across the Group we expect to carry over 17 million customers in 2017 and we see an opportunity to grow our position as a five star full service airline into 2018 with confidence. 

-Malaysia Airlines.

An Evening With Brian McKnight @ Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur ( 9 April 2017 )

American R&B crooner Brian McKnight is making appearance at Malaysian shores once again, after turning heads in May 2014. Presented by LADS Entertainment and LADS International Inc, this famed music icon will be performing at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on April 9, 2017. If you are a fan of 1990s R&B then McKnight is the man to tune to especially for the slow jams and laid back party starters.

Malaysian artist, Elvira Arul will be doing the opening act for McKnight’s performance. Elvira is a local singer who landed the role-of-a-lifetime with Effie White in the Asian production of Dreamgirls at the Malaysian National Theatre in 2011.

She has worked with local and international artistes like Sheila Majid, Misha Omar, Reshmonu and Jaclyn Victor while on the international front Kenny B, Rachel White, and Phil Perry has given her the taste and thirst of the stage.

McKnight’s renowned songs include, Anytime, Back At One, Still, and One Last Cry which are tunes that are known to have lifted spirits or inspired emotions.

In an industry known for a constantly revolving door of artists, McKnight has easily established himself with an enviable record of chart consistency, has toured successfully for over a decade, and has collaborated with performers across every genre including Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.

McKnight’s musical career began during his childhood when he became a member of his church NY choir and a bandleader for his high school, Sweet Home High School. By the age of 19, he signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records.

In 1992, his self-titled album “Brian McKnight” was released followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997). “Anytime” sold over two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999 McKnight released “Back at One” on Motown Records, which sold over three million copies.

In addition to being a singer, songwriter, and producer, plus a multi-instrumentalist McKnight is perhaps most recognized for his strong falsetto range. Widely regarded as one of the strongest talents in the adult urban contemporary R&B genre, his career can be traced back through 14 studio albums.

- www.ticketpro.com.my

New PADI Course Directors Help Promote Labuan Dive Sites

LABUAN, 3 March 2017: Tourism Malaysia brought 19 newly certified PADI Course Directors to Labuan for a 4-day fam trip to help promote diving on the island, a well-known destination for wreck diving. The effort is in line with its aim to position the country as one of the world’s major diving destinations.

The participants, who are from China, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States of America, will explore various well-known dive sites on the island, such as KM Pemanggil Wreck, Cement Wreck, Blue Water Wreck, Australia Wreck, and America Wreck.

Tourism Malaysia hosted a dinner for the participants today at Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant and delivered a presentation to promote the country's extensive toruism offerins, besides diving.

Through the fam trip, it is hope that the participants will help to attract more divers to Malaysia by promoting the country as a top-of-mind diving destination, particularly to their students. During the trip, the participants will upload photos with the hashtag #divemalaysia.

The participants are all experienced PADI Master Instructors who attended the PADI Course Director Training Course (CDTC) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, from 21 February to 1 March.

The annual CDTC is being held for the 19th year in Sabah. This year, a total of 46 candidates from 25 countries participated in the course and graduated as PADI Course Directors.

PADI Course Directors are the scuba diving industry's most influential leaders and role models. This rating is the highest and most respected professional rating in recreational scuba diving. In order to become a Course Director, the candidates must earn a spot in a CDTC through a competitive application process that examines their experience and training goals.

The CDTC is conducted by PADI staff from PADI Americas, PADI Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and PADI Asia Pacific. The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and its agency Sabah Tourism Board, with Borneo Divers as the facilitator.

This is the third time Tourism Malaysia is organising a fam trip for CDTC participants. The first one was held in Tioman in 2015, while the second one took place in Redang last year.

-Tourism Malaysia.

1Malaysia Super Sale @ Setapak Central, Kuala Lumpur

RM20,000 worth of shopping vouchers to be won when you shop with Miss SHOPhia at #SetapakCentral! #1MSuperSale2017

All you have to do is to spend RM200 & above mall-wide (or RM100 & above for fashion outlets; max. 3 combined receipts on the same day) and stand a chance to win RM500 shopping vouchers from Parkson, H&M, Cotton On, Fish & Co. Malaysia, Sakae Sushi Malaysia and more! 40 winners will be selected*.

First 3,000 shoppers who participate in the contest will also be rewarded with a FREE Asia Deli Food Street RM10 Cash Voucher!

*T&C apply. Each shopper is only entitled to a maximum of two (2) Asia Deli Food Street cash vouchers regardless of the number of submission. Visit Information Counter (1F) for more information.

-Setapak Central facebook.

Anticipation for trade as Perak's MAPS theme park confirms launch date

Perak's key executives have finally confirmed that the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park is in its final stages of completion and will open in June 2017, a development that is met with anticipation from industry members as the new attraction is expected to be a key driver of visitation.

Featuring over 40 rides and shows within six themed zones, MAPS was initially slated for a 1H2016 opening but it was then postponed to 2017.

The repeated delays in MAPS' opening has affected the Visit Perak Year 2017 campaign as the state government has been promoting the new theme park to international markets since 2016, Perak state executive counsellor for tourism, arts, culture, communications and multimedia, Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, said.

“It will have an impact on arrivals from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, especially the family travel segment,” she stated.

And despite the competition the new theme park will bring to the incumbents, Calvin Ho, senior general manager, Sunway Theme Parks, does not think that MAPS would cannibalise business at The Lost World of Tambun, a mere 20-minute drive away.

He explained: “With the opening of MAPS, Perak will have more tourism offerings and more marketing dollars to spend on marketing the destination. MAPS, with its international brands like DreamWorks, will be able to reach out to international markets.”

Ganneesh Ramaa, general manager at Luxury Tours Malaysia, agreed: “Both theme parks have different selling propositions. The opening of MAPS will allow us to create itineraries combining both parks, which would appeal to Asian markets. (Travellers might even) extend their stay in Perak from a day trip to an overnight stay.”

-TTG Asia.
https://www.mapsperak.com/ 

Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira reunited on track at Jerez

03/01/2017 - Jerez Circuit, Spain

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira were back on track together this week at the Jerez Circuit, enjoying three positive days of testing and debuting the new livery of their 2017 bikes. Binder made his return to action for the first time since injuring his left arm in November in Valencia, and was able to put in further kilometres onboard the KTM Moto2 machine.

Pleasant weather conditions allowed the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair to continue developing the setups for their new bike. The Portuguese was able to ride at a good pace over the course of his 209 laps, and was once again among the fastest in testing (despite there being no official timing). Oliveira has preferred to continue performing short runs to try out further setup configurations. Binder continued his adaptation to a new class, puting in a total of 156 laps.

Oliveira and Binder will have more track time at Jerez in the first official preseason tests on March 8th, 9th and 10th, along with the rest of the Moto2 grid and all of the Moto3 riders.

Aki Ajo - Team Manager: "The most important thing here at Jerez with the Moto2 team has been seeing Brad [Binder] back on the back on the bike, and seeing that he is able to ride even when he still isn't at 100%. He's put in a lot of kilometres and a lot of laps with the Moto2 bike. Miguel [Oliveira] continues to work in a very professional way, and this is very important for the new bike. He has experience in Moto2, which is a boost for developing this new bike. In addition, he has a style with a very steady pace that is very important for improving the bike."

#41 Brad Binder: "These three days of testing at Jerez have gone surprisingly well. I've had a good time on the bike again after a time away that has dragged on. The Moto2 bike is completely new for me, so every time I ride in it I learn something. I like it and it helps me to improve more. I look forward to seeing what happens this season, because I think we are going in the right direction. My arm still hurts a little, so we made shorter runs, because there were moments in which it hurt a little. Even so, my recovery is progressing and for the next test I will definitely take a step forward and be much fitter; at least I will have more strength, for sure."

#44 Miguel Oliveira: "This test has been very positive. From the first day we found a very good setup, which means that we are working in the right way. During these three days we have tried many things and this has helped us. We decided to continue with short runs in order to try as many things as possible. The weather in Jerez has been quite good and allowed us to complete many laps. Today it was very hot and that wasn't helpful, and there was also a lot more rubber laid down than on the first day and it was a bit slippery, but we were able to work well. We've taken another step forward, so I'm looking forward to seeing where we are next week, with all the other bikes on track."

-Ajo Motorsport.

Kuala Lumpur up next for citizenM's expansion in Asia

A citizenM hotel will open in Kuala Lumpur in the second quarter of next year, a South-east Asian breakthrough for the brand's expansion in Asia through its partnership with Hong Kong-based Artyzen Hospitality Group.

The 198-key property is located in the city’s fashionable hub, Bukit Bintang, and will showcase to the region the hallmarks of a brand that made the industry sit up when it debuted a decade ago.

Brainchild of founder Rattan Chadha, these hallmarks feature the living room lobby concept with ultra-modern designer furniture, contemporary art collections, innovative technology that allows guests to customise their room experience including lighting, temperature and movies on TV, and the 24/7 canteenM offering quality local food.

Above all, the brand was one of, if not, the first to understand the ethos of a new generation of travellers – the mobile citizens (both in physical mobility and technology where it got its name from) – and ushered in a whole new style of ‘affordable luxury’.

The Kuala Lumpur hotel is owned by Cornerstone Partners Group, which picked citizenM to leverage “the expertise of a global, trend-setting hospitality company, combined with strong local market knowledge”, said Mizi Rahim, director of Pinnacle Supreme, the subsidiary of Cornerstone that signed the management contract with Artyzen.

It will be the third citizenM to open in Asia. The first, Taipei Northgate, another management contract, will open in Q2 this year, followed by citizenM Shanghai Hongqiao in 2Q2018, which is owned by Shun Tak Holdings, Artyzen’s parent company.

Till now, citizenM owns and operates all its hotels in Europe and North America and has been growing roughly one hotel a year in the past 10 years. It operates three hotels in its home base, the Netherlands (two in Amsterdam and one in Rotterdam), three in London, one in Glasgow, two in Paris and one in New York.

But it is rapidly expanding now, with Asia and North America as prime target regions. A second hotel is being built in New York, scheduled for opening early next year, while a hotel each in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and Boston have been confirmed, said Robin Chadha, the founder's son who is chief marketing officer of the company.

In Europe, two other hotels been confirmed in Paris – one in the city centre and the other in Gare de Lyon – and the company is starting to look into other markets such as Switzerland and Italy, he said.

In Asia, Artyzen seeks to grow its South-east Asia presence in gateway cities such as Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, said Artyzen’s president, Robbert van der Maas.

Management contracts seems the preferred model in Asia, Chadha said. “Having management contracts of course brings different complexities than if you were the owner of the hotel yourself, but it’s a fantastic way to expand quickly,” said Chadha, when asked if the company was leaning more towards management in the future. He added citizenM would invest or co-invest in hotels if the right opportunity comes along.

“We’re lucky to have Artyzen as partner as they have experienced people here and know the local landscape. They manage the full business here in Asia while we support them in sharing our concepts. We’re based in Europe and have predominantly European people working for us who might relate to the North American culture but not to the Asian sensitivities, so it’s better to have a local partner on the ground who understands the culture, the red tape and other business ways of doing things. Plus, every market in Asia is different,” said Chadha.

When asked if there’s a need to orientate the brand to Asian needs, he said: “There will be some changes, but ever so slightly, for example, F&B or giving amenities such as slippers/bathrobe. There were talks of changing the room design but we said no.

“So unless it’s a cultural no-no, we’re sticking to our guns because we’re bringing something new to the market.”

-TTG Asia.

Launch Of Malaysia National Sales Campaign 2017

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 March 2017 – Malaysia’s annual shopping campaign for 2017 kicked off today with the launch of the National Sales Campaign at Suria KLCC here.  

The nationwide campaign is held three times a year and comprises the 1Malaysia Super Sale (1-31 March), 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival (15 June-31 August) and the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (1 November-31 December).  

Organised by Tourism Malaysia through its shopping promotion arm, Secretariat Shopping Malaysia, the yearly campaign is part of the Government’s on-going efforts to promote the country as a top, world-class shopping destination.  

The National Sales Campaign was launched by Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. Present at the launch, which also marked the beginning of 1Malaysia Super Sale, were 15 members of the media from Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, India, China, and Vietnam who participated in the Tourism Malaysia Mega Familiarisation Programme from 28 February until 3 March 2017.   

In his speech, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri said, “Malaysia’s tourism sector showed signs of recovery with positive growth in tourist arrivals and receipts in 2016. In 2016, Malaysia welcomed 26,757,392 tourists mainly from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, China and Saudi Arabia. It was a 4% growth over 2015 arrivals.”  

“Meanwhile, tourist receipts for 2016 were RM82.1 billion, an increase of 18.8% compared to RM69.1 billion in 2015. Tourists’ spending on shopping in Malaysia amounted to RM26 billion, an increase of 20.3% compared to RM21.6 billion in 2015. It accounted for the largest share of tourist expenditure, making shopping an important sector of Malaysia’s tourism industry,” he said, 

adding that the current currency exchange rate has actually made shopping more affordable in Malaysia.  

Malaysia’s shopping branding is centred on the “Experiential Shopping” concept that promotes Malaysia as a fun and wholesome shopping destination, complemented by entertainment and recreation activities, gastronomic adventures, luxury treatments and visits to popular tourist spots. It is made possible by the support of more than 500 integrated shopping malls and retail 

outlets in the country whose numbers are increasing every year.  New retail and lifestyle hubs coming up this year include KL Gateway Mall in Kuala Lumpur and Genting Premium Outlets in Genting Highlands, which will further stimulate Malaysia’s shopping scene. 

SHOP, SNAP & WIN! CONTEST 

March 1 is the first anniversary of Malaysian Shopping Buddy, Miss SHOPhia. Since her debut last year, Miss SHOPhia has been diligently taking up her role as the ultimate shopping buddy by keeping “fashionistas” and shoppers across the globe up-to-date on fashion, food, gadgets as well as shopping news and events via her social media platforms.  

She also takes on cameo roles in viral videos and TV commercials promoting shopping in Malaysia. Her “presence” was internationally recognised recently, with Tourism Malaysia awarded The Most Favourite Promotional Activity – Miss SHOPhia at U Travel Magazine Award 2016 in Hong Kong.  

In conjunction with the first anniversary of the shopping icon, shoppers (aged 18 and above) are invited to enter the SHOP, SNAP & WIN! online contest  and win exciting holidays and fabulous prizes sponsored by Suria KLCC, Starhill Gallery, Pavilion KL, Fahrenheit88, IOI City Mall, Putrajaya and IBC Tours Sdn Bhd. The contest runs from today until March 31. To participate, each 

contestant is required to do the following: 

1. Shop at your favourite shopping mall or brand. 

2. Take a creative picture of yourself, or with friends and family together with your shopping haul outside the store. 

3. Complete the caption “I love shopping in Malaysia because…” (in no more than 20 words). 

4. Upload your picture together with the completed caption to Miss SHOPhia’s Facebook Page and tag #MalaysiaSuperSale2017, #MissShophia and the mall location.  

Pictures with the most Likes and creative captions stand a chance to win.  

For details, log on to:- 

Website: www.missshophia.malaysia.travel 

Facebook: facebook.com/missshophia  

Instagram: @miss_shophia  

ABOUT MISS SHOPHIA 

 Female cosmopolitan Malaysian lady in her 30s. Mixed race. 

 Educated in Malaysia and abroad, majoring in Contemporary Arts and Design with a minor in Social 

Studies.  

 A writer and traveller by profession.  

 Familiar with fashion trends and the latest in gadgets and designs. 

 Enjoys local and international cuisines. 

 A health nut who exercises regularly and enjoys various sports such as cycling, trekking, off-road 

driving and scuba-diving. 

 Enjoys the company of family and friends for her travels, shopping trips and gastronomic adventures.  

 Has two cats. 

FAST FACTS  

1. Shopping is one of the most lucrative sectors of the Malaysian tourism industry. It has been included in the Tourism National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) with 12 Entry Point Projects (EPPs). Three of these EPPs are related to shopping:- 

 EPP 1: Positioning Malaysia as a duty-free shopping destination. 

 EPP 2: Designating vibrant shopping precincts in Malaysia with Bandar Utama, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak as newly identified shopping zones.  

 EPP 3: Establishing new premium outlets in Malaysia namely Johor Premium Outlet, Mitsui Outlet Park, Freeport A’Famosa Outlet and Genting Premium Outlets.  

2. In 2015, the shopping sector surpassed the accommodation sector for the first time and became the biggest contributor to Malaysia’s tourist expenditure.  

3. Malaysia has more than 500 shopping malls including three of the top 10 largest malls in the world, namely 1Utama, Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid (all in Klang Valley).

-Tourism Malaysia.

Travis McCabe makes it two, Ryan Gibbons makes history - Le Tour De Langkawi 2017

PUTRAJAYA : WorldTour squad Dimension Data became the first team to win Le Tour de Langkawi on three consecutive editions with three different African riders as neo pro Ryan Gibbons, 22, followed the path of Algeria’s Youcef Reguigui and his compatriot Reinardt Janse van Rensburg from South Africa.

He finished fourth of the conclusive stage in Putrajaya won by Travis McCabe who made it two for Unitedhealthcare after he took stage 2 and regained the points competition as well, throughout the intermediate sprints as he won all three of them.

“We wanted to race hard again today”, McCabe declared. “Typically when the race is hard and there are a few climbs, we can get rid of some heavy sprinters. The sprint came down to the last corner and I had Greg Henderson putting me in perfect position and I jumped at about 300 metres to go. Coming from doing the same job in the WorldTour, he makes my life so much easier! Pretty much all I have to do is to put my hands up. All the guys allowed me to get this win. We had a double goal as we really wanted [Daniel] Jaramillo to take the time bonuses to jump on the podium. He’s got a good kick. So I was not looking at the sprint jersey, I was more looking at the stage win.”

“This was my first time here. I’ll remember the beautiful landscapes of Malaysia. The people were fantastic. That was awesome to see so many people out there cheering us on. I couldn’t ask for a better race to start off the season. I’m really happy that I came and we’ll be back next year.”

“Before coming to Malaysia, I didn’t think I’d be sitting here with the yellow jersey at the end”, said Gibbons who learned “jesi kuning” in bahasa Malaysia during his six days in the lead of LTdL. “The team had a lot of faith in me but to have responsibility to lead in the second race of my first year as a pro, but I couldn’t have imagined the dream coming true this week. It’s been stressful, even having the yellow jersey, being on good form and believing in myself.”

“On the second climb, IsoWhey attacked. But I had Jacques [Janse van Rensburg], our road captain, with me the whole time. He told me to relax and not too worry although I could have gone harder for the intermediate sprints. A group of sixteen riders got fifteen seconds ahead of us in the main climb but we caught them very quickly. After that I knew we should have the jersey for good but this is cycling, anything can happen, a crash or a mechanical. Even going into the last sprint, I touched wheel with my team-mates in a corner.”

“It was a goal to win the last stage as well. I’m disappointed not to have made it but in the last curve I was maybe where I shouldn’t. I was following Pippo [Pozzato] and [Alberto] Cecchin. When I came out, it was way too late. There were five riders up the road. I was able to catch two of them but I was glad to stay up and win yellow and teal.”

Gibbons was the second South African to win the points competition after his mentor Robert Hunter fifteen years ago. “He was the first South African to win a stage in all three Grand Tours”, he continued.

“He’s definitely a role model. I see myself as a very similar rider to him. He was a sprinter but also someone who could go well in small climbs and do all right in time trial. He’s the one who put cycling on the map in South Africa. I do look up to him. He inspired many South Africans.”

“It’s really special to follow his footsteps, also here in Malaysia. If I do half of what he achieved, it would be a successful career for me. He’s been talking to me every day during Le Tour de Langkawi. He has a lot of faith in me as well. Since 2004, he’s believed that I can do a lot. He’s been motivating me this week, which is great. From day 3, he believed I could win the Tour. His support really helped.”

“I’m really ambitious and I’m very hungry”, Gibbons concluded. “I’d be a liar if I’d say I don’t want to win more. It’s been a perfect start. I have to keep on learning. I don’t want to set myself goals that I can’t achieve. Hopefully this is just the beginning. It was my first time in this position. “

“I’ve learned that with winning come the press, the media, the fans… I had never experienced a team work like that. I also learned a lot about sprinting. I’ve only won a stage, I’ve been second, third, fourth and fifth. I don’t look at those as seven losses. I look at them as seven learning experiences. I know what not to do now. I’m grateful for the lesson I can take from my Malaysian experience. It was my first time here. I’ve not enjoyed just the winning but the support from the people, the different cultures, the different foods, the weather that is similar to some parts of South Africa on the coast so I can handle it. It’s been so welcoming, I’d like to come back.”

-www.ltdl.com.my

A Crowne Plaza coming KL's way

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with Malaysian property developers Yuk Tung Properties to build a Crowne Plaza hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Scheduled to open by 2021, the Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre will have 338 rooms, and facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool, gym, business centre, seven versatile meeting spaces and an all-day dining restaurant. It will be located along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng in the city centre, within walking distance from the Petronas Twin Towers.

Leanne Harwood, IHG’s vice president, operations, South-east Asia and Korea, commented: “With the AEC coming together we see greater opportunities for intra-regional travel. Coupled with the launch of the High Speed Rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in 2026, we’re confident the city will welcome even more visitors in the coming years.”

Crowne Plaza has some 400 hotels in more than 63 countries worldwide, including 71 hotels across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

-TTG Asia.

Konsert Wings & Superfriends - Belenggu Irama @ Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur ( 6 ~ 9 April 2017 )

Nama Awie tidak asing lagi dalam industri muzik tanahair. Artis serba boleh ini seringkali mendapat perhatian di dalam semua aktiviti dan hasil karya beliau. Vokalis kumpulan muzik terkenal tanahair ini juga mempunyai suara unik yang pastinya akan memukau seluruh peminat muzuk. Dengan karisma dan kebolehan beliau, Awie melangkah setapak lagi kebidang pengarahan persembahan pentas dengan menghasilkan KONSERT WINGS AND SUPERFRIENDS – BELENGGU IRAMA.

KONSERT WINGS AND SUPERFRIENDS – BELENGGU IRAMA akan menggegarkan Istana Budaya pada 6 hingga 9 April 2017 selama 2 jam setiap malam dan merupakan sebuah konsert berkonsep memperjuangkan nasib para insan seni tanahair. Gandingan artis-artis hebat dalam satu pentas dengan soroton adegan dari rintihan lagu selama 2 jam akan menjelajahi jiwa dan rasa penonton terhadap keluhan hati nasib artis yang di perjuangkan.

Tujuan konsert ini diadakan bagi mendidik masyarakat untuk menghibur sambil menderma. Awie Entertainment Sdn Bhd yang menganjurkan konsert ini mengumpulkan persatuan–persatuan di Malaysia untuk membentangkan permasalahan di dalam persada seni terutamanya dari segi kebajikan anak – anak seni yang tidak pernah berubah. Dato’ Awie, teraju utama Awie Entertainment Sdn Bhd berharap gabungan dengan persatuan-persatuan seperti Karyawan, Seniman, Yayasan 1Malaysia, MACP, RPM dan RIM dapat memperbaiki taraf anak–anak seni tanah air.

Bagi Dato’ Awie, nasib para artis Malaysia tidak seharusnya malang seperti yang telah berlaku selama ini kerana para artis adalah golongan yang amat berpengaruh. Pengaruh dan nama besar mereka hanya ketika popular dan sekiranya tidak ada langkah yang betul di ambil maka ianya tidak akan menjanjikan masa depan yang baik dari segi kewangan.

Ikon konsert ini ialah pemain drum ternama, YAZID dari KUMPULAN SEARCH. Tiada seorang peminat muzik tanahair yang tidak kenal beliau. Menganggotai sebuah kumpulan muzik rock ternama selama ini tetapi setelah beliau mengidap penyakit buah pinggang, mata pencariannya terhad. Dato’ Awie sebagai salah seorang peneroka muzik rock tanahair mengambil inisiatif untuk membantu beliau dan tidak mahu anak – anak seni di negara ini hidup dalam kesempitan di zaman kejatuhan.

Artis – arits ternama iaitu Dato’ Awie, Eddie Wings, Black Wings, Dato’ M.Nasir, Datuk Ramli Sarip, Dato’ Nash, Ito, Syamel AF, Maya Karim, Liza Hanim, Haiza, Sahara Yaacob, Billa AF, Ucop Bukan Sekadar Rupa, Aniq Ceria Pop Star adalah antara para artis yang berpadu tenaga untuk menjayakan KONSERT WINS AND SUPERFRIENDS – BELENGGU IRAMA. Para pemuzik yang turut terlibat adalah Eddrie Hashim, Yan Lefthanded, Sham Guitarist, Kudin Headwind, Lola, Rodi Kristal, Hamzah, Pae, Fly dan Adi.

Harga tiket bemula daripada RM80.00, RM150.00, RM200.00, RM250.00, RM300.00 dan RM350.00 boleh di beli melalui ONLINE di Website Redtix, www.airasiaredtix.com atau pun di Kaunter Pembelian Tiket di Istana Budaya mulai 1 Mac 2017. Sebarang pertanyaan boleh hubungi Awie Entertainment di talian 019 2932436 (Ejat) atau 019 2975260 (Sam). Juga boleh lawati Facebook Sayap-Sayap Wings atau www.sayap2wings.com.

Awie Entertainment Sdn Bhd yang disokong padu oleh rakan seperjuangan di dalam persada seni amat berharap kejayaan konsert ini akan berpihak kepada semua insan seni tanahair.

-AirAsia RedTix.

Jakub Mareczko makes it two in Rembau - Le Tour De Langkawi 2017

REMBAU : Tipped as the hot favourites for the bunch sprint finishes this year, Italy’s Jakub Mareczko of Wilier Triestina became the first rider to win two stages at this year’s Le Tour de Langkawi as claimed stage 7 to Rembau after he opened his season’s account in Pantai Remis on day 3.

He’s unbeaten in Rembau where he took his first ever Malaysian success one year ago and therefore announced himself for filling the shoes of Andrea Guardini who holds the record of stage victories with 22. Also a diminutive sprinter, Mareczko moved into the lead of the points competition while Ryan Gibbons, fifth on the line, retained the yellow jersey.

“I put my team at the front in the final kilometers with [Filippo] Pozzato, [Alberto] Cecchin and [Rafael] Andriato to lead me out”, Mareczko explained. “There was a curve with 400 metres to go.

Cecchin took it in first position. After Andriato’s last pull, I opened my sprint. It feels very good to get a second stage win. I’m very happy today. After winning a stage, my goal this year was to get the points jersey. Now I have it and I hope to defend it tomorrow by trying to get another first place. I’m hoping for a sunny day to conclude Le Tour de Langkawi after the pouring rain we’ve had today.”

“My priority was to retain the yellow jersey”, echoed Gibbons. “It was nice to have the teal as well but Mareczko is a top quality rider. He’s fast! I’m not too disappointed. I’m happy for him but I hope I’ll get it back tomorrow. I was feeling very good today, also under the rain. I was cautious on the wet. It was easy to go down. Just stay upright and out of trouble, that was my concern. Tomorrow’s stage is short.

It’s going to be very aggressive. But we’re ready for it. I’m so thankful for the help I got from my team-mates. There’s one more day. I’m strongly hoping that I’ll be in yellow in Putrajaya as well.”

Veteran WorldTour rider Greg Henderson of Unitedhealthcare was awarded the combativity prize of the day after being the driving force behind the main breakaway of the day with Jacopo Mosca (Wilier Triestina), Huang En (Keyi Look), Dominic Perez (7/11) and escape artist Loh Sea Keong (Thailand Continental Team).

The conclusive stage of the 22nd Le Tour de Langkawi will be 121km long from Setiawangsa (Kuala Lumpur) to Putrajaya.

-www.ltdl.com.my