HAPPY 2012! @ Bukit Bintang & KLCC

Initiated by Bukit Bintang-KLCC Tourism Association.

Kelantan sasar enam juta pelancong tahun depan

KOTA BHARU 29 Dis. - Kerajaan Pas Kelantan menyasarkan kemasukkan seramai enam juta pelancongan tempatan dan antarabangsa sempena Tahun Melawat Kelantan (TMK) 2012 sepanjang tahun depan.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan negeri, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan berkata jumlah tersebut mampu dicapai berdasarkan promosi yang dibuat oleh pihaknya bagi menarik kedatangan pelancong ke negeri ini.

"Kali terakhir program sama diadakan adalah pada tahun 2008 maka selepas empat tahun adalah wajar untuk kita adakannya sekali lagi. "Walaupun kerajaan negeri tidak mengadakan TMK pada tahun 2008 lalu, namun kita berjaya menarik seramai 5.3 juta pelancong untuk berkunjung ke negeri ini dan berdasarkan jumlah tersebut kita yakin sasaran ini mampu tercapai pada TMK 2012," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita pada majlis sidang akhbar TMK 2012 dan meraikan Pendaki Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah di Bilik Mesyuarat Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan Negeri di sini hari ini.

-Utusan Online.

http://tic.kelantan.gov.my/

Participants from 30 countries take part in the 4x4 rainforest challenge

KUANTAN: Some 500 participants from 30 countries took part in the 15th Rainforest Challenge (RFC) which is dubbed as the longest and among the toughest 4x4 events in the world.

The event with competitive special stages took 10 days to complete with a 500km-route from Terengganu to Pahang. The challenge started from Kuala Terengganu before ending in Cherating here.

State Tourism, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif officially closed the event and presented prizes to the winners. Shafik Fauzan said he hoped next year’s event would be organised in Pahang. “It has quite a while since the challenge is held in Pahang. “The last time was in 2002 so it is time for the event to be held in the state,” he added.

Event director Luis J.A. Wee said the participants had to go through all kinds of hardship during the current monsoon season. “The adventure event was especially tough this year as it was heldduring the monsoon season. “Participants had to drive through a very wet weather and muddy terrain which made it really hard and gruelling,” he said.

This year’s RFC champions were Malaysians Mervin Lim Wei Shiong and Hamizan Abdul Hamid. Austrian Markus Oszwald and his team mate, Brett Macnamara from Australia grabbed the second place while in third placing were Filipinos Phillipines Hilario T. Mendiola dan Hirryan V. Mendola.

-thestar online.

www.rainforest-challenge.com

Meet i-City’s latest attraction — 88 pink flamingos

Some 88 pink flamingos will greet visitors when they visit i-City, Shah Alam this week. Brightly lit in red, the flamingos placed along the hillside are truly eye-catching.

During the launch, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar together with Selangor Umno secretary Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed and I-Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong ‘fed’ the flamingos local fruits. They also spent time with some young children who were eager to ride on the flamingos as the 4ft tall birds seemed too real to resist.

Birds of a feather: The 88 red flamingos are i-City’s latest addition to the LED lightscape.

I-Bhd public relations manager Tang Soke Cheng said the flamingos were the latest addition to i-City’s existing array of colourful LED light display. “In ancient Egyptian times, the flamingos were believed to be the living representation of the God of the Sun — the sun symbolising light, warmth and growth. “It is also to usher in the New Year wishing our visitors good luck,” she said, adding the flamingos would be a permanent feature together with its SnoWalk attraction.

Later, Noh also took a walk around the “Love Selangor” carnival which featured classic cars and bikes, lucky draws, 60s-themed karaoke, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia mega sale, Agriculture Ministry Fruit Fest, farmers’ market, as well as free community services like hair cuts and health checks. Government agencies and ministries like the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and Election Commission (SPR) had set up booths offering various services to the public like voters’ registration and checking of summons.

The carnival that ends tomorrow is a build up to the New Year’s eve countdown where the highlight would be a spectacular display of fireworks and pyro fountain set against a backdrop of the giant ferris wheel in i-City, with an LED face clock attached as the countdown timer.

-thestar online.

Sabah ‘no’ to flights slash

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, as a minority shareholder in Malaysia Airlines, is objecting to the carrier's move to slash flights from the state capital to various international destinations.

State-owned Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd said besides affecting investment and tourist arrivals, MAS' move would discourage other airlines from flying out of Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Warisan Harta, the state government's investment arm, represents the state as the minority shareholder in the airline.

Its chairman Datuk Ramlee Marahaban said MAS should focus on fulfilling its social obligations instead of merely thinking about its commercial ambitions. Ramlee said there were concerns that the recent share swap deal between Khazanah Nasional the Federal Government's investment arm and Tune Air Sdn Bhd would result in both MAS and AirAsia merely protecting their commercial interests. He said the Sabah government's views as a minority stakeholder in MAS were not sought before the share swap deal was worked out.

MAS will suspend its twice weekly Kota Kinabalu-Osaka service from Jan 6 and thrice weekly Kota Kinabalu-Perth flights from Jan 31. Its chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said MAS was also suspending its four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Haneda flights from Feb 1 and Kota Kinabalu-Seoul flights from Feb 21 as part of its rationalisation plan.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjum said although he had been briefed by MAS officials on its reason for slashing the flights, he did not necessarily agree with the move. He said he had directed Sabah Tourism Board officers to discuss with other airlines the possibility of them handling the services suspended by MAS.
-thestar online.

Exciting line-up at Istana Budaya

KUALA LUMPUR: From local stand-up comedy to international dance performances, Istana Budaya is set to have a colourful year ahead with several firsts in Malaysia's performing arts scene.

The line-up includes its very first comedy performance, Bila Hati Di Geletek (When The Heart Is Tickled), which will showcase the talents of popular local comedians and is set to draw the younger generation. Another attraction will be Upin & Ipin: The Musical, a fun performance adapted from the popular Malaysian cartoon series. It will set the record for longest-running musical in Istana Budaya with 30 shows planned.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim who announced the national theatre's 2012 programme line-up yesterday praised the musical's use of a multiracial cast aged five to 30. “This is in line with the 1Malaysia concept and portrays our diverse society,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cuci the Musical 3, Malaysia's favourite window-cleaning team will return by popular demand. Another familiar face, veteran entertainer Datuk Irwan Shah Abdullah, better known as DJ Dave, will also perform in a showcase.

On the international front, dancers from Taiwan will perform Songs of the Wanderers while representatives from all over the region will take part in the Asean Musical Extravaganza.
Rais congratulated Istana Budaya for attracting an estimated 160,000 audience members this year, 8,000 more than the previous year.
-thestar online.
www.istanabudaya.gov.my

Winners of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2010/2011

Innovative Shopping Outlets

Excellent

- Sunway Pyramid

Merit

- Mid Valley Megamall

Best MICE

Event

- World Congress of Accountants 2010

Organiser

- Malaysia Institute of Accountants

Innovative Homestay

- Homestay Walai Tokou, Kundasang, Sabah

Best Contribution to Malaysia's Rural Economy

- Homestay Banghuris, Sepang, Selangor

Innovative Spa

- The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

-Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

100,000 expected at travel fair

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair March 2012 is expecting 100,000 visitors at the event at Putra World Trade Centre. Organising chairman John Tan said all exhibitors' booths were expected to be sold out, especially with the early bird and loyalty discounts.

He said an early bird discount of RM200 per booth would be given while those who had participated continuously in the past three fairs would get RM500 loyalty discount. “Looking at previous fairs, I can see that MATTA has grown and become the number one consumers' travel fair in the country,” he said.

All geared up: Mohd Khalid (right) delivering his speech during the MATTA Fair 2012 launching at Istana Hotel last night. With him is Tan.

“This year's theme is Get the Best...In Travel! because we want to give visitors the best deal with more choices. “We always aim to provide a one-stop consumer event with great holiday and travel bargains,” he said, adding that the booths next year would be increased to 984.

He also said those who owned MATTA credit cards would be rewarded. “They will get two entrance tickets to the fair, two meal vouchers and be entitled to enter the MATTA business lounge,” he said during the launch of MATTA Fair 2012 at Istana Hotel here yesterday.

During the event, MATTA president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun also announced that they will be organising “World Islamic Tourism Mart” from May 31 to June 2. “For the event, we will be focusing on business-to-business market,” he said, adding that the launch would be on Jan 5.

Tan also announced that apart from MATTA fair at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), similiar fairs would be held nationwide starting from February until August next year. Two fairs will be held before the MATTA Fair in March, which is in Selangor from Feb 10 to 12 (Shah Alam Convention Centre) and in Johor from Feb 25 to 27 (Expo Hall, Danga City Mall).

MATTA Fair March 2012 is expected to occupy a total space area of over 20,500 sq m comprising Halls 3, 2, 1, 1M and Linkway at PWTC. Exhibitors who wish to take part in the fair can download the form atwww.mattafair.org.my. Registration will open Jan 9.

-thestar online.

www.matta.org.my

MH Hotel opens its doors

Travellers exploring the beauty of Ipoh now have the option of resting their weary feet at the newly opened MH Hotel on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara.

MH Hotel Sdn Bhd chief operation officer David Loong said the corporate boutique hotel dominates the Ipoh skyline at 21 floors and is only minutes away from the North South Expressway and the city. “Our hotel has many exciting features for guests including stunning views of the city and the hills from our modern contemporary designed rooms.

Towering presence: The MH Hotel in Ipoh.

“Another distinct feature is our dedicated ladies floor, decorated in pink and light purple. “For women staying on these floors, we’ll provide dedicated escorts to ensure safety and convenience,” he said during the hotel’s soft launch recently.

Loong said other than its main lobby, the hotel also provided a private check-in space for guests who preferred privacy. Although the hotel has 111 rooms including its executive suites and penthouse suites, Loong said only 50 rooms are available at the moment.

Pleasant touches: One of the rooms at the hotel.

“We are waiting for the food and beverage outlets to be operational before opening all the rooms,” he said. He said in March, all the rooms would be opened up and the hotel targets a 100% room occupancy rate daily. “We also have other attractions such as the Sky Bar with a panoramic view of the city, a grand ballroom and an exclusive club lounge,” he said.

-thestar online.

www.mhhotels.com.my

Winners of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2010/2011

Innovative Tour Programme

Excellent

- Ulu Ai-Longhouse Life by Borneo Adventure Tours

Merit

- A Nite @ Museum - Muzium Samudra By Perbadanan Muzium Melaka & Naza Talyya Hotel

Best Tourist Guide

Excellent

- Mr. Shaukani Abbas

Merit

- Mr. Ahmad Redza Abdullah

Rising Star

- Mr. Bobby Weslee B. Rohani

-Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

Tune opens second hotel in London

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd’s budget hotel chain Tune Hotels has opened its second London property at Liverpool Street.

The hotel, situated 500 m away from Liverpool Street station, has 183 en-suite bedrooms, all 20% larger than its sister property. It also has twin bedrooms. At £35 per night, it also has a 550-sq-m private courtyard garden accessible to all hotel patrons.
-thestar online.
www.tunehotels.com

Winners of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2010/2011

Innovative Tourist Attractions (Nature/Eco)

Excellent

- Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Merit

- Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah

Innovative Tourist Attractions (Man-made/Agro/Arts & Culture)

Excellent

- Melaka River Cruise, Melaka

Merit

Lost World of Tambun, Perak

-Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

Sabah hoteliers expect fewer tourists with scrapped direct flights

KOTA KINABALU: Hoteliers are expecting room occupancy to drop below 60% next year with the scheduled cancellation of at least four direct international MAS flights into Kota Kinabalu from January. Currently, hotel occupancy is at about 64% but it is expected to drop further as direct tourist arrivals will stop in stages from Jan 6 to Feb 21 following MAS’ decision.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (Sabah and Labuan chapter) chairman Alex Cham said that occupancy had increased by 4% this year and the association had been hopeful of better things to come next year. “However, with fewer direct tourist arrivals, we may drop below 60%,” he said.

The MAS routes to be stopped includes the twice weekly Kota Kinabalu-Osaka (from Jan 6), thrice weekly Kota Kinabalu-Perth (from Jan 31), four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Haneda (Feb 1) and four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Seoul (Feb 21). Cham said that Japanese and Korean tourists prefer direct flights here and were not too keen on taking connecting flights from Kuala Lumpur.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said he was disappointed with MAS’ move to scrap direct flights. “We will work towards ensuring the tourism industry in the state can overcome the setback. “We are disappointed but after taking into consideration MAS’ financial predicament, I understand why they need to suspend the flights,” he said.

Sabah’s tourist arrivals had hit 2.63 million surpassing the initial target of 2.6 million for this year. “I am sure we can overcome the short-term negative impact on tourist arrivals,” Masidi added.
-thestar online.

Winners of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2010/2011

Best Hotel Services
5 star (City)
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur
5 star (Resort)
- Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Sabah
4 star (City)
- Holiday Inn Melaka
4 star (Resort)
- Golden Sands Resort, Penang
3 star & below (City)
- Cititel Midvalley Kuala Lumpur

-Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

Thousands join DPM at 1Malaysia Harmony X'mas open house

KAJANG: Thousands of people of all races joined Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Malaysia Christmas open house held at SMK Tinggi Kajang field on Monday.

In his speech, Muhyiddin said the government does not look at one's background, religion or race in formulating its policies. "No one is sidelined. All enjoy efforts to develop the nation,” he said.

He added that national unity has been strengthened in the 54 years since independence due to Barisan Nasional's power-sharing concept based on a common understanding between the various races and religions. Muhyiddin, accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, arrived at the venue at about 3.30pm.

Present at the celebration, which began at 10am, were Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wifeDatin Seri Masnah Rais, and his deputies, Datuk Seri Maglin DennisD'Cruz and Datuk Joseph Salang.

Earlier, Muhyiddin and other leaders visited the home of Peter Ng Ah Kaw, one of the recipients of the house restoration aid under the Special Affairs Department (Jasa). Ng, 70, received RM1,000 in cash, basic necessities and a 1Malaysia plaque. Also among the recipients were Voral Vengadasamy, 80, and Na An Tai, 46.

Muhyiddin and Rais then got into a taxi driven by T.Sidambram to go to the Christmas open house, accompanied by five other taxis. The deputy prime minister's arrival was welcomed by kompang beats and the crowd took the opportunity to "salam" or shake hands with Muhyiddin and the other leaders present.

The highlight of the celebration was when Muhyiddin and his wife decorated a 25ft-high Christmas tree. Themed '1Malaysia Harmony', the celebration organised by the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, also had cultural performances while the crowd was served with a spread that included satay, nasi beriani, macaroni and rendang.

The celebration was also given a people-oriented touch with the presentation of 1Malaysia Netbooks to 30 excellent students from around the Kajang area. Besides that, 200 households received foodstuff through the Kembara Jalinan Kasih programme organised by the Information Department.

-thestar online.

Winners of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2010/2011

Creative Tourism Article on Malaysia

Best Local Writer (Bahasa Malaysia)

- "Agenda Selangor, Intip Little England" by Norwahidah Che Musa, Libur Magazine December 2010

Best Local Writer (English)

- "Hooked on High Adventure" by Zalina Mohd Som, New Straits Times Sepetember 2010

Best Foreign Writer

- "The Jungle Gene" by Cheryl Ann Couto, Lonely Planet Publications

Innovative Tourism Magazine

Local

Magazine: Libur

Publisher: Kumpulan Karangkraf sdn bhd

International

Magazine: Sense of Malaysia

Publisher: The Expat Group (Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd)

-Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

JPO extremely popular

JOHOR BARU: Thousands have thronged the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) since it was launched on Dec 11 with many travelling as far as Kuala Lumpur just to grab some of the best deals.

Hussain Ayob, 54, who planned a special trip from Kota Damansara just to visit the outlet said that it did not disappoint. “The group of us travelled here in three cars as we heard a lot about the outlets through online blogs and websites,” he said.

Lots to shop: Eager shoppers look forward to the variety of brands with up to 65% daily discounts at the outlets in Kulaijaya.

He added that so far the prices were reasonable and the concept was unique and interesting. Sisters Nisa Hanafi, 27, and Syafiqah, 25, also made a special trip from Klang and even booked a room overnight at a nearby hotel to shop at JPO. “We have visitied the Premium Outlet in Korea and it is so exciting to have a similar experience right in our own country,” said Nisa who hoped that another Premium Outlet would be set up in the Klang Valley as well.

The shopping haven located in Kulaijaya here differs from conventional shopping complexes as it is an open space concept and boasts 80 designer and branded stores offeting discounts of up to 65% throughout the year. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with shady palm trees, miniature fountains, shrubs and benches to relax before entering individual shops to splurge on discounted branded items.

There are also various eateries serving Thai, Japanese or Western cuisine, dessert treats as well as premium coffee outlets there. Children are not left out, as there is also a play area available, equipped with green and chocolate coloured slide, overhead ladder, seesaws and trapeze swings.

Nice ambience: Shoppers taking a break from bargain hunting and rest at the spacious food court.

Housewife Ngew Yoke Kin, 33, said that it was that she does not mind splurging on branded goods although the designs at the outlets are one or two seasons late because “good quality items never go out of style”. “My favourite part of the outlets are the classy glass doors that makes me feel like I’m overseas,” she said.

Meanwhile, sales executive Samantha Siah Pei Shang, 34, suggested for high-street brands like Zara and H&M to be opened to JPO in the future. “I think that JPO can appeal to even more shoppers by adding more European high-street brands that are very in-trend right now,” she said, adding that the mix of high-end and low-end brands made JPO appealing to all shoppers.

Among the popular brands available are Armani, Burberry, Coach, Calvin Klein, Charles & Keith, Cotton On, DKNY, La Senza Lingerie, Lacoste, Levi’s Gap, Guess, Michael Kors, Nike, Oroton, Roxy, Timberland, Salvatore Ferragamo and Zegna to cater to your shopping needs. The RM149mil complex is a joint-venture between Genting Group’s subsidiary Genting Plantations Bhd and Premium Outlets, a division of US-based Simon Property Group.

-thestar online.

www.premiumoutlets.com.my

Malaysian chef among the top ten in Asia

Chef Vincent Lee, of Sesame & Soy at G Hotel, did Malaysia proud when he won the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) regional series 2011-2013 under the Master Chef-Asian Cuisine category, putting him among the best 10 in Asia.

Lee’s winning dishes were Pan-fried Goose Liver with Mandarin Orange and Rasp-berry Sauce, Crispy Wasabi and Octopus Dumpling with Fly Fish Roe, Asia Herbal Flavored Lobster Bisque, Braised Moi-choi Duck with Spicy Shrimp Rice and Gula Melaka Creme Brulee with Coconut Ice-cream and Co-conut Tulip.

He was rated based on his menu and recipe development, signature dishes, hy-giene and sanitation, creativity and innovation in Asian cuisine, personality, ethics, passion and dedication, and his surprise entree and dessert.

G Hotel was also given the Top 5 HAPA Best Independent Hotel award for the regional series 2010-2012 and also won the Best Hotel Construction and Design in Malaysia award at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2011. HAPA, established by World Asia Publishing in 2002, rewards the best of the hospitality industry at all levels.

-thestar online.

www.ghotel.com.my