Maroon 5 set to paint the town red

KUALA LUMPUR: American rock outfit Maroon 5 (pic) is set to thrill fans at their first concert here in April. The band, headed by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, has been on its world tour since July last year. Levine and three others – keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden and drummer Ryan Dusick – started out as a garage band called Kara’s Flowers in 1995 and released one album in 1997. The band won the Grammy Award for Best New Artiste in 2005.The group’s latest album, Hands All Over, issued last year, features a heavier rock edge.

The concert at the Putra Indoor Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on April 29 is jointly organised by Maxis Mobile Sdn Bhd, HTC Malaysia and PR Worldwide Sdn Bhd. Tickets are available at authorised Ticketpro outlets at RM115, RM185, RM255, RM355 and RM485. Maxis and HTC customers are entitled to a 10% discount on tickets till March 18 and 5% thereafter until the date of the concert. However, the first 500 customers to buy a HTC mobile device at the Maxis-HTC road show at the concourse area of Fahrenheit 88 in Bukit Bintang until tomorrow will receive Maroon 5 tickets worth RM255. For more information, call 03-7493-3010 or go to prworldwidelive.com.

-thestar online.

Fly high with MAS deals

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines will be offering discounts of up to 50% for business class seats during its travel fair. MAS executive vice-president, sales and marketing Datuk Bernard Francis said this was the first time business class tickets have been discounted. “We want leisure travellers to realise they can fly more comfortably as many think that only businessmen can afford to pay business class,” he said, adding that early planning and advanced booking was essential if passengers wanted to obtain good discounts.

MAS is offering a total of one million seats during the at the MAS Travel Fair 2011 (MATF’11) with up to 85% discounts for the sales period of Feb 21 to Feb 28. The travel period for economy class seats will begin on March 21 while for business class seats, it will begin on March 7. Travel for both must be completed by the end of the year.

The highest price for a business-class ticket on a domestic destination is RM639 one-way. Customers can purchase one-way business class tickets to any destination in Asia; starting from as low as RM309 to Medan, RM1,069 to Chennai and RM3,269 to Tokyo. Those planning on flying down south can fly at only RM3,109 to Perth one-way, and RM4,149 to Melbourne one-way. Customers heading to Europe can opt to fly one-way to London, Paris or Rome for only RM6,169, business class.

Economy-class flights for domestic destinations is no higher than RM239 one-way. One-way economy airfare to Asian destinations start from RM209 (Bangkok), RM519 (Shanghai) to RM999 (Osaka). European destinations like London and Amsterdam would cost RM1,499 one-way.

Meanwhile, customers can also opt for package deals from MASholidays and enjoy up to 60% discount for 55 domestic and 43 international packages. Additionally, customers intending to go for umrah will get a discount of RM300 per person for its Lambaian Kaabah Umrah & Ziarah package. Tickets can be bought via the airline’s ticketing offices, travel agents, 24-hour toll free call centre (1300 88 3000) or www.malaysiaairlines.com.

-thestar online.

V Botanical Spa Langkawi increases its spa offerings

An award-winning facility on Langkawi, namely V Botanical Spa is pleased to announce that it has increased its wellness offerings and has now become one of the first spas in south-east Asia to offer 100 per cent certified organic food grade products and treatments.

 

Guests at V Botanical Spa can now enjoy treatments that incorporate the use of all-natural, certified organic products.

Director, V Integrated Wellness, Christina Low commented: “People care about what they put on and in their bodies more than ever before. We are embracing this trend, and at the same time we alter the spa in a way that better mirrors the environment in which it is set.”

 

Located on a hillside overlooking Datai Bay, V Botanical Spa is one of five components that comprise V Integrated Wellness at The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort on the archipelago of Langkawi.

 

V Fitness, V Healthy Cuisine, V Retreats and V Beach Club are the other four elements of the concept, scheduled to be officially launched next month.

 

Low added: “Our whole philosophy originates from the ‘Tree of Life’ idea – a metaphor for how everything in the universe is connected. The fact that you can actually eat Intelligent Nutrients products – all items are made of nutritious ingredients straight from the earth, safe enough to ingest – makes it the perfect line for us.”

 

V Botanical aims to offer guests an extensive portfolio of treatments and indeed guests at this spa can enjoy an array of treatments ranging from a 30-minute treatments to four-day or five- stress management programmes.

-TTG MENA.

AirAsia X launches new route to Paris

Recognised as one of the world’s best low-cost airlines, Malaysian-based AirAsia X is pleased to announce that it recently landed at Orly International airport, thus marking its first flight to Paris, France. This new flight by AirAsia X is designed to offer travellers four times weekly-flights to Kuala Lumpur, the gateway to South East Asia and beyond. With the commencement of flights to Kuala Lumpur from Paris, AirAsia X provides travellers with a chance to further connect with Taiwan, China, Australia and New Zealand. In celebration of the first flight into Paris, AirAsia X is also offering a variety of promotional low fares across the AirAsia network.

 

Tourism Minister, Malaysia, YB Datuk Seri’ Ng Yen Yen commented: “I am proud of AirAsia X’s achievements thus far and thrilled with the anticipated increase in traffic from this European market into Malaysia. “The arrival of the first flight into France from Malaysia will indeed foster new travel demand and enhance the tourism sectors of both countries. As a representative of the Malaysian government, I look forward to working with the airline to further create new demands and serve the underserved markets in ensuring tourism prosperity and growth for the country.”

 

The new Kuala Lumpur-Paris route is serviced by the Airbus A340 aircraft with capacity for 327 passengers including 18 premium seats. Guests flying on this new route have the chance to experience the new comfortable premium flatbed seats which are standard business class specifications. CEO, AirAsia Group and Founder, AirAsia X, Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes added: “With France as AirAsia X’s second European destination after the UK, I am proud that we are finally here. With this global platform, we are making the world much smaller and cheaper for everyone to connect to each other.

 

“This is a revolutionary moment for the aviation industry and a great day for our guests, who can have an amazing Asian and European experience at affordable fares. Our sales have proved that this business model not only works but is flourishing and expanding in a tough market. We are pleased with our efforts.” Fernandes concluded: “We are thrilled and thankful for the support we have received from the government of Malaysia and France. This endeavour could not have been a reality without the endless effort and strong back up from the tourism, airport and regulatory bodies involved. We aim to add more frequency to create a daily shuttle to Asia from Paris in future.”

-TTG MENA.

Norwegian cooks up a storm at ‘mee goreng’ stall

GEORGE TOWN: Hawker stalls selling Western food are common in Penang – but a Westerner preparing local favourites at a hawker centre? Norwegian Mohamad Thomas Cook Broen, 43, has been turning heads by helping his father-in-law, Mohd Sultan Mydin at his mee goreng stall in the New World Park in Swatow Lane for the last six months. His presence at Penang’s famous hawker centre, either when serving food or frying mee, has attracted curious stares and puzzled looks.

Dishing it out: Broen preparing some ingredients for the popular dishes at his father-inlaw’s ‘Mee Sultan’ stall in New World Park.

Broen, who is married to Mohd Sultan’s daughter Habsah Mohd Sultan, 30, said he had his first taste of mee goreng at the popular ‘Mee Sultan’ stall 10 years ago when it was located at the Swatow Lane junction. He said he found the place in the ‘Penang Food Guide.’ “I tried what was recommended and I got hooked on mee goreng, mee rebus and pasumbor,” he said.

Little did Broen, who worked as a lumberjack for about 20 years in Norway, know then that one day he would be donning an apron and frying mee in Penang. As destiny would have it, Broen returned to Penang in early 2009 and met Habsah in a cafe in Batu Ferringhi. After a short courtship, the couple got married in July 2009. They now have a three-week-old baby, Nur Lillian Mohd Thomas Cook Broen.

Broen said he did odd jobs in Penang first before deciding to try his hands at mee goreng six months ago. He said he managed to get Mohd Sultan to teach him the art of frying the famous mee goreng and preparing mee rebus. “However, he still keeps the secret of the sauce preparation to himself,” joked Broen.

-thestar online.

Yahoo! lists Penang among world’s top 10

GEORGE TOWN: An online travel guide has picked Penang as one of the top 10 islands in the world “you must see before you die.” Yahoo! Travel writer Gary McKechnie ranks Penang eighth on the list of the “must visit” places. Other islands listed are Bali, Vieques in Puerto Rico, Easter Island in Chile, Ischia in the bay of Naples (Italy), Chiloe in Chile, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Key West in the Conch Republic, Galapagos in Ecuador and Palm Islands in Dubai. These destinations offered something that could not be found anywhere else, said McKechnie in his article ‘10 Islands to Explore Before You Die’ (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-37926474). 

He praised Penang as Malaysia’s food capital and suggested that visitors did their “food crawl” along George Town’s street stalls. He recommended that foodies head to the area adjacent to the Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Itam to feast on delicious food of rice, noodles, fish, shellfish, chicken, pork and vegetables. He also suggested visitors try out lor bak, lok-lok and ikan bakar.

On the local architecture, he described Penang as having a range of modern high-rise buildings to 19th-century British architecture. He also pointed out a mix of beach resorts, preserved mangroves, fishing villages, temples, mosques and churches. “Kek Lok Si was the best example as the largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia,” he said.

-thestar online.

Bigger show planned for Lima ’11

KUALA LUMPUR: Commercial aviation and shipbuilding segments will be added to the eleventh session of the Langkawi International Mari time and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima ’11) show later this year, the Defence Minister said. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said segments of commercial and corporate aviation, commercial shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and overhaul and airport equipment and services would be re-introduced at this year’s exhibition.

“The segments are in line with expectations that Asia will lead global traffic by 2028. The exhibition for the commercial sector will provide more opportunities for companies to tap this lucrative market,” he said at the Lima ’11 launch at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre here yesterday. The exhibition will be held from Dec 6 to 10 in Pulau Langkawi. Among the major attractions at this year’s show are the new Airbus A400M Airlifter aircraft, four of which are expected to supplement the RMAF fleet of 15 Hercules C-130s by 2015.

Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ismail Ahmad said this year’s Lima show was expected to attract about 500 companies and more than 50,000 visitors and investors from 31 countries. RMAF chief Gen Datuk Rodzali Daud said visitors would be treated to a display by the 1Malaysia Air Display Team comprising five Extra-330 aircraft operated by the Aero 3 company of Germany. Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the navy would show off one of its submarines.

-thestar online.

Travel Merchant of the Year award for MAS

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) recently won the ‘Travel Merchant of the Year’ award category at the MasterCard Hall of Fame Marketing Awards 2010, an event showcasing the latest marketing trends in the credit card industry across 14 markets in South Asia and South-East Asia. This award showed the best card marketing programmes pioneered by financial institutions and merchants across the region.

The entries were appraised by members of MasterCard’s senior management, with input from advertising professionals. The ‘Travel Merchant of the Year’ category was open to merchants such as airlines, car rental companies, travel-related service providers that work with financial institutions or directly with MasterCard to provide cardholders with benefits.

Winning team: (From left) MAS manager (regional sales & marketing), David Raj, MasterCard international vicepresident and senior country manager, Malaysia and Brunei, Jim Cheah and Francis.

MAS executive vice-president, sales and marketing, Datuk Bernard Francis accepted the award on behalf of the company in Hong Kong. At the awards ceremony, Francis said: “We are very pleased with the outcome as this is the first time we have participated in this category. This definitely places us in good stead as we move forward in this new year. “This award demonstrates that MAS is constantly engaging with various tools and techniques to provide value-added service to its customers. “Our marketing practices are tailored to meet the customers demand effectively, creating a win-win situation” he added.

MAS’ partnership with MasterCard has been on-going since 2005. In 2010, the two organisations collaborated in a series of programmes and events including the MITM Travel Fair, Alice in Wonderland campaign, MasterCard Premium Travel Promo and Pavilion Pitstop — Red Carpet Gala Night. MAS and MasterCard also recently jointly organised a reward programme for its top spenders called ‘An Unforgettable Arabian Night’, where guests were treated to the first ‘Comedy-On-Air’ in Malaysia while on a flight to Pulai Springs, Johor.

-thestar online.

Colourful kites take to the sky

JOHOR BARU: The sky over Pasir Gudang has become more colourful with the start of the World Kite Festival in Bukit Layang Layang. The five-day festival, themed ‘Colouring the Sky’, is expected to attract 100,000 international and domestic visitors. Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) president A. Rahim Nin said the festival, which began yesterday, is aimed at promoting kite flying as a cultural, leisure and recreational activity.

Kites galore: The sky over Pasir Gudang is expected to be dotted with colourful kites over the next five days with the kick-off of the World Kite Festival in Bukit Layang Layang which began yesterday.

“This year’s festival is the biggest yet with more than 220 foreign participants from 30 countries including Indonesia, Brunei, Spain, France, Austria and China,” he said. Rahim added that more than 700 local participants would be taking part as well. “We will be attempting to get into the Malaysia Book of Records when 3,000 kites will be flown at the same time by students from the Pasir Gudang area. “Visitors can enjoy creative kite shows from international participants such as stunt kite-flying,” he said, adding that workshops and exhibitions will also be held.

-thestar online.

KLCC gets expansion nod, finally

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has finally been given the green light to expand its facilities after a four-year wait, giving the centre a 10,000m² boost that is expected to generate a 40 per cent increase in revenue when completed by end-2013. General manager Peter Brokenshire said the centre would now be able to host events with over 6,000 delegates and grow its conference business from a 25 per cent share of all events to 30 to 40 per cent.

Construction plans will be finalised in April and works are likely to begin in the last quarter this year. KLCC's expansion is part of the Malaysian government's Greater Kuala Lumpur Development Plan, which will see the construction of a 2km pedestrian walkway linking major places of interest, hotels and KLCC, as well as the addition of rooms in the city. Projects include new properties such as the 450-key The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur and hotel expansions like the one by 322-key Impiana Hotel to add 180 rooms. Phase one, a 142m elevated and air-conditioned walkway linking KLCC to Impiana Hotel, has been completed. The second phase will extend the walkway from the junction of Jalan Pinang/Kia Peng to Jalan Raja Chulan, stretching 42km.
-TTG Asia.

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has finally arrived

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has replaced Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur, effective Feb 1. The 473-room hotel is nicely nestled in Jalan Ampang, a prestigious upscale address in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s commercial, entertainment and shopping district. The location is just a five-minute walk to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. InterContinental Kuala Lumpur is the only branded hotel in the area. The hotel welcomed its guests at the stroke of midnight on Jan 31, 2011 with the traditional Malay style by beating the gong in the lobby.

Ready to serve: Some of the employees of the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur all set to recieve guests.

At the same time, the logos at the exterior were lit up and the InterContinental flags were proudly raised at the hotel entrance.

On Feb 1, the day started off with a true example of one of the core values of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur — “Celebrate Difference” among the hotel staff and guests.

Living in the multi-racial city of Kuala Lumpur, the hotel staff showcased their cultural harmony together with four different religious ceremonies to bless the hotel — Hindu, Buddhist, Islam and Christian ways. Guests and staff joined in as one to experience this amazing potpourri of ethic cultures and traditions under the same roof.

“Show We Care” was clearly evident as the hotel’s recently appointed general manager, Adam McDonald and department heads welcomed the employees at the staff entrance as early as 6am. The sound of the kompang greeted the staff as they were served with a Malaysian breakfast of nasi lemak, teh tarik and curry puffs.

The celebration of the arrival of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur continued when McDonald and the hotel staff flagged off the Taxi Campaign. Over 800 taxis parked in a single file to pick up the lunch boxes and gifts. A special Yee Sang lunch to toss for prosperity, good health, good luck and happiness for all was organised in the staff cafeteria.

The hotel is located at 165, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For more info, call 03-216 11111 or write toinfo@intercontinental-kl.com.my or visit www.intercontinental.com

-thestar online.

Love train rekindles romance for 20 senior citizens

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty senior citizens had a roaring Valentine’s Day in a one-day train ride to Ipoh organised by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB). Dubbed the “Retro Love Coach”, the senior citizens sat in a KTMB event coach that had a stage area, karaoke station and colourful retro seat covers and decorations. Senior citizen Norsiah Nordin, 58, said the train ride was a romantic way of bringing her husband Ishak Abd Rahman, 61, and her closer. “We had time to talk and enjoy the view with the leisurely pace of the train. It was like old times,” she said.

Both husband and wife agreed that Valentine’s Day was an expression of love and was not an issue for married couples. “It’s good for married couples to be loving towards each other in daily life,” said Ishak, adding that he and his wife of 36 years often went travelling together to keep their romance alive. Amir Rusli, 63, said the secret of a healthy marriage was to have “lots and lots” of patience. ”Don’t fret and squabble over small things. Think long-term,” he said.

Other than the married couples, eight senior ladies who had been friends for over three decades also took the train ride. Retired widow Minah Abdul Majid, 62, said she and her friends often went on such trips together to have fun. “Life as a senior citizen is great. We have the freedom to enjoy ourselves with friends that we have known for a lifetime,” she said. KTMB marketing manager Mohd Noordin Kimi said the Retro Love Coach package was organised for the senior citizens in conjunction with the launch of the company’s 1Malaysia Couples Train package. The new package provides a 25% discount for groups of three couples.

“For example, a Malay couple should find Chinese and Indian friends (also couples) so the six of them can qualify for the package.” KTMB will be organising a trip for couples to Singapore on May 16. The one-day package costing RM300 aims to attract around 300 couples of all ages and races. Those interested can call him at 019-2291486.

-thestar online.

Malaysia smashes arrivals record

MALAYSIA registered 24.6 million international arrivals and tourism receipts of RM56.5 billion (US$18.5 billion) last year, the highest numbers recorded to-date, surpassing the government's 2010 targets of 24 million arrivals and RM55 billion in tourism revenue.

 

Arrivals from India registered the highest growth over 2009 at 17.1 per cent, followed by South Korea (16.2 per cent), the United Arab Emirates (16 per cent), Iran (14.3 per cent) and Cambodia (12.7 per cent). China was the only non-South-east Asian country in the top five arrival markets with 1.13 million visitors, an increase of 10.8 per cent over 2009.

 

Singapore maintained its position as the largest tourist-generating market for Malaysia with 13.04 million arrivals, followed by Indonesia (2.51 million), Thailand (1.46 million), China and Brunei (1.12 million). This year, the Malaysian tourism ministry is targeting 25 million arrivals and RM60 billion in tourism receipts.

-TTG Asia.

New president for association

DATUK Mohd Ilyas Zainol Abidin was elected as president of the Asean Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA) for the term 2011 – 2013 at the AHRA annual general meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia recently.

Ilyas: Elected as president of Asean Hotel and Restaurant Association

AHRA members are confident that Ilyas, who is also the De Palma Hotels group general manager, will bring the hospitality industry in Asean to greater heights.

Set up 40 years ago, AHRA is an umbrella body promoting hotel and tourism development in the region. AHRA endeavours to provide a platform for sharing of ideas and information among the various National Hotel and Restaurant Associations in Asean.

Ilyas has extensive experience in hospitality and tourism industry in Malaysia. He started his career with Kuala Lumpur Hilton where he held various operational and management positions since 1972.

During his 20 years with Hilton International, he gained vast experience in various portfolios including marketing, front office, development, renovations, food and beverage management, maintenance and security. His active involvement in the hotel industry has made it possible for him to become the president of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), where he has been serving since 2002.

He represents the Malaysian hotel industry in dealing with related ministries and also attends meetings and conventions within the region, promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination. He is chairman of the board of directors of MAHTEC Sdn Bhd, the association’s wholly-owned company, providing training and education to the hospitality and tourism fraternity. He is also a board member of Tourism Malaysia and Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd.

-thestar online.

IATA: Industry expects 800 Million More Travelers by 2014 - China biggest contributor

Singapore: The industry consensus forecast released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that by 2014 there will be 3.3 billion air travelers, up by 800 million from the 2.5 billion in 2009. By 2014 international aviation will handle 38 million tonnes of air cargo, up 12.5 million tonnes from the 26 million tonnes carried in 2009. “China will be the biggest contributor of new travelers. Of the 800 million new travelers expected in 2014, 360 million (45%) will travel on Asia Pacific routes and of those 214 million will be associated with China (181 million domestic and 33 million international).

“The US will remain the largest single country market for domestic passengers (671 million) and international passengers (215 million),” IATA said in a statement. Despite some regional differences, the forecast indicates that the world will continue to become more mobile, it said. “This creates enormous opportunities but also presents some challenges. In five years we need to be able to handle 800 million more passengers and 12.5 million more tonnes of international cargo.

“To realize the economic growth potential that this will bring, we will need even more efficient air traffic management, airport facilities and security programs. Industry and governments will be challenged to work together even more closely,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, in a statement. “The shadow of the global economic recession is expected to remain over parts of the industry for some time to come. Sluggish growth rates in Europe and North America are not only the result of being mature markets. Lingering consumer debts, high unemployment and austerity measures will dampen growth rates,” he said.

According to him, the focus of the industry will continue to shift eastward. “By 2014, 1 billion people will travel by air in Asia Pacific. That's 30% of the global total and a 4 percentage point increase from the 26% it represented in 2009. The same is true for cargo where Asia Pacific will account for 28% of global volumes,” said Bisignani.

-thestar online.

US$12 million sought to promote Malaysian homestays

The Malaysia Homestay Association is pressing the tourism ministry for an annual grant of RM10 million (US$3.28 million) over four years to promote and develop homestay programmes. It submitted yesterday a paper to the ministry. President Sahariman Hamdan said this would help fund international outreach to traditional markets such as Japan and Singapore, as well as to new ones such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, the UK and Netherlands. 

It would also cover training programmes to upgrade the entrepreneurial skills of homestay operators and provide them with lessons on e-marketing. Sahariman said: “By next year, we want to double the amount of household incomes of homestay operators, which now average around RM600 monthly.” 

Homestays, where owners rent out individual rooms, will also be diversified to allow guests to book the entire house. Dubbed 'kampung stays', the product will be launched at Kampung Desa Murni in Pahang on March 20 by Tourism Minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen. Houses are fully equipped and include cooking facilities. For a start, there would be 50 such accommodations, said Sahariman. There are now 138 registered homestay villages in Malaysia, with a total of 2,987 operators and 4,042 rooms. The average occupancy of homestays from January to November 2010 was 23.2 per cent.

-TTG Asia.

Inap desa ala hotel atasi masalah rumah terbiar

MELAKA 11 Feb. - Inap desa ala hotel yang diperkenalkan di kawasan perumahan di negeri ini oleh Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam dilihat mampu menjadi ikon baru pelancongan di negeri bersejarah ini. Pengurus Akademi Pelancongan Melaka (APM), Salman Salim berkata, pemilihan konsep hotel dalam taman perumahan yang pertama di negeri ini mempunyai banyak kelebihan. Menurutnya, kelebihan menjadikan hotel seperti rumah sendiri membolehkan pengunjung lebih selesa menjalani percutian mereka di sini.

Kata beliau, walaupun perkhidmatan dan kemudahan yang disediakan adalah sama seperti hotel tetapi yang membezakan Laksamana Townlodge dengan inap desa lain ialah ia merupakan bangunan beberapa unit buah rumah mewah di dalam taman perumahan. "Keadaan ini agak berbeza dengan inap desa atau calet yang terletak di kawasan-kawasan kampung," katanya ketika ditemui Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini. Menurut Salman lagi, enam unit rumah mewah yang berukuran 24 x 80 kaki turut dilengkapi dengan kemudahan keselamatan iaitu sistem kamera litar tertutup (CCTV).

Bagi menambah keselesaan dan peluang rekreasi kepada pengunjung katanya, pengusaha terlibat menyediakan kemudahan seperti basikal dan beca bagi membolehkan mereka bersiar-siar di pusat bandar memandangkan ia terletak berhampiran. Sementara itu Salman memberitahu, dengan penubuhan hotel di dalam taman perumahan ia dapat mengelakkan rumah-rumah kosong dibiarkan begitu sahaja. "Dengan penubuhan Laksamana Townlodge di sini, ia dapat mengelak kawasan perumahan menjadi lengang.

"Ia sekali gus memberi sedikit 'cahaya' kepada kawasan yang mungkin dahulunya suram kerana ia kini meriah dengan kehadiran pengunjung yang menginap di sini," katanya. Menurut beliau, pihaknya turut menjalankan beberapa kerjasama dengan pengusaha-pengusaha tempatan dalam memperkenalkan produk masing-masing. "Kita mempunyai mini kios dan di dalam kios ini pelbagai produk tempatan dipamerkan bagi tujuan penjualan. Dengan usaha ini bukan sahaja memperkenalkan produk pelancongan terbaru Melaka malah membantu pengusaha tempatan menjual produk masing-masing," katanya.

Salman menjelaskan, pihaknya bercadang mencari lagi rumah-rumah terbiar untuk dijadikan penginapan inap desa ala hotel dalam usaha mengurangkan rumah terbiar di dalam sesebuah kawasan. "Keadaan ini dapat mengurangkan sedikit sebanyak kerugian pemaju yang tidak mempunyai pembeli dan juga memberi manfaat kepada pihak penggiat hotel iaitu mengurangkan masalah bilik hotel atau inap desa yang terhad terutama pada musim cuti sekolah," katanya.

-Utusan Online.

Laksamana Townlodge janjikan terbaik

LAKSAMANA Townlodge di Jalan Taman Kota Laksamana 2/13, Seksyen 2, berkonsepkan hotel dalam taman perumahan. – utusan/Nas Norziela Nasbah

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MELAKA 11 Feb. – Kesan peninggalan bangunan lama dan artifak sejarah pada zaman pemerintahan penjajah British, Portugis dan Belanda di Banda Hilir hari ini menjadikan Melaka muncul antara destinasi tumpuan pelancong. Keunikan sejarah itu juga membolehkan Melaka diiktiraf sebagai Tapak Warisan Dunia daripada Pertubuhan Pendidikan, Saintifik dan Kebudayaan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNESCO). Tidak dinafikan pengiktirafan itu seiring dengan status negeri ini sebagai salah satu negeri pelancongan yang terulung di Malaysia.

Antara lokasi yang sering menjadi kegemaran pelancong ketika bercuti di negeri ini adalah seperti Jonker Walk, Makam Hang Tuah, Menara Taming Sari, Kota A‘Famosa dan pusat beli-belah di Dataran Pahlawan. Bagi mereka yang datang ke negeri ini, anda mempunyai banyak pilihan dalam soal memilih tempat penginapan tidak kira hotel mahupun inap desa. Tarikan terbaru, pernahkah anda terfikir untuk merasai penginapan hotel di dalam taman perumahan? Jika ia, pastikan kunjungan anda ke negeri ini tidak disia-siakan dengan pengalaman menginap di Laksamana Townlodge.

Terletak di Jalan Taman Kota Laksamana 2/13. Seksyen 2, Taman Kota Laksamana, enam buah unit rumah kepunyaan Kumpulan Melaka Berhad (KMB) ini pastinya menjanjikan sebuah penginapan ala hotel terbaik ketika ini. Dikendalikan sepenuhnya oleh anak syarikat KMB, Akademi Pelancongan Melaka (APM), enam buah unit teres mewah ini menyediakan tiga buah bilik standard dan sebuah bilik utama. Lengkap dengan pelbagai kemudahan seperti ruang dapur yang boleh digunakan pengunjungnya, Laksamana Townlodge sesuai bagi mereka yang datang bercuti bersama keluarga besar.

Perkhidmatan hotel di dalam taman perumahan ini juga menyediakan kemudahan WiFi percuma dan ruang tamu dilengkapi sofa dan televisyen. Apa yang menarik lagi Laksamana Townlodge yang didaftarkan di bawah Persatuan Hotel Bajet ini bukan menyediakan sebuah bilik semata-mata malah sebuah rumah mewah boleh disewa oleh pengunjung yang mahu sedikit privasi. Kadar harga bagi sebuah rumah mewah adalah RM550 semalam, RM180 bagi bilik utama dan RM99 bagi sebuah bilik standard satu malam. Kadar ini tidak termasuk ‘surcharge’ yang dikenakan pada hari Jumaat, Sabtu dan cuti umum.

Walaupun tidak mempunyai restoran atau kafe seperti yang disediakan oleh hotel-hotel lain, Laksamana Townledge ada caranya tersendiri selain ruangan mini bar dan jualan kios di sini. Berbekalkan kerjasama yang dijalinkan oleh beberapa restoran mahupun pengusaha tempatan, pengunjung mempunyai banyak pilihan selain lokasinya yang hanya satu kilometer daripada pusat bandar. Selain itu, Laksamana Townlodge juga berdekatan dengan salah satu kawasan pelancongan popular di negeri ini iaitu Jalan Jonker dan tapak warisan dunia yang hanya mengambil masa tiga minit ke kawasan tersebut.

Bagi mereka yang gemar aktiviti riadah sewaktu percutian, mereka boleh berjalan-jalan di sekitar Marina Bay yang menyediakan trek untuk bersenam. Tidak cukup dengan tawaran menarik tersebut, Laksamana Townlodge yang menjadi aspirasi Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam ini turut menyediakan ruang bengkel termasuk penginapan di sini. Terbaru hotel berkonsepkan di dalam taman perumahan ini menerima tetamu dari Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) yang memilih untuk menjalankan bengkel di sini. Pelbagai kemudahan disediakan oleh APM bagi menepati cita rasa pengunjung seperti ruang tamu yang dilengkapi dengan set sofa, susun atur mengikut kesesuaian mengadakan bengkel dan kemudahan letak kereta di semua unit yang disediakan.

Untuk sebarang pertanyaan lanjut, anda boleh menghubungi 06-2822700 atau 012-7898437 bagi sebarang tempahan. Bagi mereka yang mahu melihat gambaran mengenai Laksamana Townlodge secara dekat boleh terus datang ke Taman Kota Laksamana ataupun layari laman sosial facebook dengan carian Laksamana Townlodge.

-Utusan Online.