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Friday, February 17, 2023

Tourism Malaysia Reinforces Efforts To Attract More Long-Staying Russian Tourists


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications 

Tourism Malaysia Moscow Office, under the able leadership of its director Mr Jeffri Munir, has been making concerted efforts to increase Russian tourist arrivals into Malaysia after the government announced the reopening of its borders after the Covid-19 pandemic.

His latest efforts for Malaysia to stay ahead of the competition saw him organising a familiarisation trip to bring in Mr Mikhail Anatolyevich Maltsev, President of the URAL Tourism Association and the URAL branch of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry; Ms Lariza Larionova, Tez Tour Director; Mr Vladislav Maltsev, RT Plus Commercial Director and Ms Daria Vladimirovna Zaboreva, Deputy Director of Recreation.

From left to right: Mr Vladislav Maltsev, Ms Lariza Larionova, Ms Daria 
Vladimirovna Zaboreva, Mr Mikhail Anatolyevich Maltsev and Mr Jeffri Munir 

The four-member Russian delegation is here on a tight schedule from 14-21 February.

Tourism Malaysia head office in Putrajaya has organised for them to meet with the key Malaysian tourism industry partners such as interested members from the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) and strategic stakeholders from the Melaka state tourism industry. 

Mr Mikhail Anatolyevich Maltsev addressing members of Malaysian Inbound Tourism
Association (MITA) in Russian with Ms Daria Vladimirovna Zaboreva (left) help to
translate to English 

The itinerary also includes B2B meetings with members of the Malacca Tourism Association and Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). 

Describing the Russian market as very large and still untapped by our tourism industry operators compared to others in the region such as Thailand and Indonesia, Jeffri said, “The Russian are looking for the 4S, namely Sun, Sea, Sand (Beaches) and Shopping. 

Business in session between the Russian delegation with MITA members

“Furthermore, they are long-staying guests for up to one to two weeks. Some may stay even longer in order to get away from their super cold winter months of as low as -40°C.”

He targets to promote Malaysia also to the Ekaterinburg region as the people here have deeper pockets to spend for their oversea travels. 

 Mr Mikhail Anatolyevich Maltsev presenting a memento Senior Director
Dato'Dr. Ammar Abd Ghapar with the presence of MITA President (in red shirt)

Among the topics discussed were strengthening the bilateral ties, promotion plans and collaborations for the outbound Russian tourists to Malaysia.

Group photo of participants at the Kuala Lumpur session


Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Tourism Malaysia Seeking A Slice Of The Russian Dive Market At Moscow Dive Show 2023

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 

General View Of Moscow Dive Show 2023

Moscow Dive Show (MDS), an annual event that brings together diving industry experts and diving enthusiasts to Russia’s capital city, saw Tourism Malaysia Moscow office participating in its 2023 edition held from 9 to 12 February at the Gostiny Dvor’s 12,000 sq m Exhibition Centre. 

Tourism Malaysia Booth At Moscow Dive Show 2023

Tourism Malaysia's Booth Attracting Visitors 

Tourism Malaysia had a promotion booth supporting two Russian dive operators Safari.ru and TimetoDive and a Russian leisure tour operator (China Travel).

The objective is to promote to the Russians diving communities the undiscovered diving spots in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah. 

The Russian market is also provided with information about these attractions or diving sites and package tours.

Tourism Malaysia Moscow Office Director
Mr Jeffri Munir (left, holding a magazine)
in discussion with a visitor

MDS 2023 attracted 225 companies from 17 countries representing members of the diving communities, retailers and watersport enthusiasts from all over Russia, the Baltic and Eastern Europe, which include countries such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belorussia. 

The dive show featured exhibits of the most current and latest diving equipment in the market as well as dive destinations, seminars on diving-related topics and workshops. 

It also provided networking opportunities between customers, suppliers, retailers and other industry professionals. 


#tourismmalaysia
#malaysiatrulyasia
#MoscowDiveShow2023

 

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Travel Agents Federation of India Selects Kuching As Convention Venue In September


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 
Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (right)
speaking to the representatives from TAFI during
their courtesy call 

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has picked Kuching to hold its convention from 20-23 September since its last one was held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in 2018.

In Malaysia, TAFI had held its convention in Kuala Lumpur in 1999 and in Kota Kinabalu in 2007.

With over 1,400 active members who are tour operators and travel agents who account for about 70% of the outbound travel agents in India, the majority of them are also International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited agents.

TAFI managing committee led by its president Ajay Prakash recently visited Kuching for multiple convention and facilities site inspections besides calling on Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The minister says TAFI’s convention 2022’s theme, Build Back Better, is very much aligned with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, with the state aspiring to empower the community and ensuring a sustainable environment. 

He believes the convention will be a catalyst to entice more visitors from India to visit Sarawak in the near future. 

TAFI President Ajay Prakash 

Elaborating on the theme, Prakash, who is also Nomad Travels chief executive officer, says it is vital that the tourism industry does not forget the lessons of the pandemic, adding that as one of the biggest global industries, the power of tourism to shape the world is phenomenal. 

Build Back Better encapsulates the resolve to rebuild tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

With the Indian market is growing, we are constantly looking for new destinations, products and experiences. Sarawak has the potential to become a popular destination as today’s generation is concerned about the planet’s conservation and sustainability, he adds.

Concurring with him are TAFI’s convention committee chairman Seeraj Singh Sabharwal and its deputy chairman Jigar Dudakiya.

Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (4th from right), Snowdan Lawan (Centre) Deputy
Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts posing for a group photo with 
representatives from TAFI, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Convention Bureau
and Tourism Malaysia

According to Sabharwal, Sarawak is a relatively unexplored destination for Indian  and a suitable destination for family Travel, honeymooners, weddings, business events, including for the film industry.

Dudakiya says Borneo Convention Centre Kuching has been selected as the venue for their convention this year because of its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as WIFI besides its ability to host up to 5,000 persons, among other things.

The convention package for the delegates will include three nights of pre- or post-tours to beautiful places within Malaysia.

#TAFI
#Travel Agents Federation of India
#Sarawak Tourism Board
#Sarawak Convention Bureau
#Tourism Malaysia
#Outbound Travel Agents
#Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
#Business events
#MICE
#Meetngs & Conventions


Sunday, July 10, 2022

Country Music Festivals: Miri Country Music Festival 2022 In November


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications

After Sarawak’s successful run of the recent 25th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and the Borneo Jazz Festival (BJF), the state is now gearing up for the eighth edition of Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF), which is set to return on 25-26 November at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club in Miri.

At a media conference held recently, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expresses his confidence that the MCMF will be able attract not only the local music festival attendees but also from the surrounding regions as before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

MCMF used to attract festival seekers from nearby Bintulu as well as those in Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and regional visitors from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. 

Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club

The local communities in northern part of Sarawak have an affection for country music and the Mirians would don cowboy outfits in the past festivals.

Abdul Karim commends MCMF organiser for staging the festival in Miri, the gateway to Sarawak’s tourism attractions in the northern region.

By also partnering with its Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) to market the event and coupled with the direct flights from Singapore, he urges special holiday tour packages that include MCMF tickets and two nights of country music fiesta to be created.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (4th from left) with Gracie Geikie (3rd from left), Dennis Ngau (2nd from left) and Hii Chang Kee (extreme left) handing over the venue’s plaque to Chief Executive Officer of Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club Kueh Chie Tiong.

During their stay here, festival goers can also explore the many tourism destinations in Sarawak’s northern region such as the world heritage site Mulu National Park and the Bario Highlands. 

Over the years, MCMF has featured many local and international bands with different styles of country music, with foreign artistes from Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Britain, Germany, Czech Republic and the United States (US).

Abdul Karim remarks, “It is good to see MCMF supporting both Malaysian and international country music performers as this gives Sarawak’s own musicians a platform to showcase and promote their music alongside their international counterparts.” 

Festival founder Gracie Geikie says, “MCMF 2022’s international line-up includes Tantowi Yahya from Indonesia; Johnny Loda Trio, a combo from Italy, Thailand and the United Kingdom; Cambodia Country Band from the US and Cambodia; and Ramon Cedillo from Singapore.

Tantowi Yahya from Indonesia will back to perform at MCMF 2022

The Malaysian performers are Kamal Bukhary, Lyia Meta and Miri’s own Sessions a.k.a session: the Band, Country Roads and Mountain Wind.”

She adds, “We have selected several corporate social responsibility (CSR) partners to collaborate and work with for MCMF this year. 

“They are The Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM), Miri Photography Society, Miri Performing Arts Association and Borneo Medical Centre Miri.”

MCMF performers and festival goers are encouraged to join its CSR initiative, The Buku Project, by bringing their second- hand books to the event to be donated to children and residents of Long Lama and Long Atip, to help educate and improve the literacy in these rural areas.

MCMF tickets are now on sale for early birds at RM80 for a day pass and RM120 for a two-day pass.

Meanwhile, also present the recent MCMF media briefing in Miri were Deputy Minister Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who is also Sarawak Tourism Board chairman; permanent secretary to Abdul Karim’s ministry Hii Chang Kee and Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club chief executive Kueh Chie Tiong.

MCMF, which held its inaugural event in 2014 in Miri, is believed to be the first country music festival in Malaysia that made Miri as its home ground.

#Country Music Festival

#Miri Country Music Festival 2022  

#Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club

#Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore

#Tantowi Yahya

#Johnny Loda Trio

#Tourism Malaysia

#Sarawak Tourism Board

#Miri City



Saturday, July 2, 2022

Sarawak Tourism Board Intensifies Domestic Tourist Arrivals From Northern Region Of Peninsular Malaysia


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Sarawak Tourism Board booth at
MITM 2022
The Malaysian International Travel Mart (MITM) 2022 held at the SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Baru over this weekend from 2-3 July will see Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) promoting attractive and affordable tourism packages to the Land of the Hornbills.

Organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), MITM 2022, which opens from 10am to 9pm, is targeting holiday seekers from the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. 

STB deputy chief executive officer for marketing communication, research and private corporate relations, Suriya Charles Buas views STB’s timely participation in MITM as vital for Sarawak’s visibility in its promotion of the state’s rich history, culture, festivals, food and unique tourism products to MITM.

STB is collaborating with the local travel agents representing their counterparts in Sarawak to promote exciting travel packages. 

Firefly Airlines Uses Boeing 737-800 Penang-Kuching Direct Flight

They include Kuching city tour, Mulu’s four show caves, Bako National Park, golf packages, Miri city tour, Bario Highlands and other tailored made tour-packages to enticed holiday seekers to Sarawak.

Visitors purchasing any of these Sarawak travel packages during the two-day fair will be rewarded with limited-edition made-in-Sarawak souvenirs.

Beautiful Sunset At Sematan Beach Outside Kuching City Centre

The recent relaunch of Penang-Kuching-Penang daily flights by Firefly’s jet services will make both destinations seamless for leisure and business travellers. 

“Currently, there are 35 direct flights from Penang weekly into Sarawak to facilitate travellers from Penang to enjoy the best that Sarawak can offer,” he adds.

Earlier in June, Firefly partnered with Tourism Malaysia to promote domestic tourism through livery advertising and the #GoJalanLah campaign.

Running from 1 June 2022 to 31 May, 2023, the #GoJalanLah campaign offers holiday packages and attractive flight tickets. 

#GoJalanLah

#SarawakTourismBoard

#Firefly

#TourismMalaysia

#Kuching

#Sametan

#MCTA

#MITM2022

#MalaysiaAirlines


Thursday, April 21, 2022

Tourism Malaysia Targets Tourists From India After Borders Reopen


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 


As of March 27, 2022, India has opened its sky for regular international flight operations while Malaysia reopened its borders effective April 1. 

Tourism Malaysia was quick to seize the opportunity to initiate its marketing and promotional roadshow to six cities in India from April 17 to 30. 


Led by Manoharan Periasamy (Picture Left), Tourism Malaysia Senior Director of the International Promotion Division (South Asia & Africa), the roadshow kick-started with New Delhi. 

It will be followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai. India, being a top source market for Malaysia, contributed 735,309 tourist arrivals in 2019. 

Currently, there are over 14,000 seats available weekly between India and Malaysia through Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, AirAsia, IndiGo and Air India Express. Flights between the two countries has now reached 76 per week compared with about 200 flights weekly before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manoharan, a veteran in the Indian outbound market, remarks, “This is the right time to be back in India. Planning for this roadshow is very opportune. The resumption of scheduled international flights from India coincided with the reopening of Malaysia’s international borders.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Indian travellers back to our shores as we have many exciting, new value-driven and action-packed itineraries.

“There is so much to explore after two years, especially with the newly opened outdoor theme park, Genting SkyWorld in Pahang and the refurbished Sunway Resort in Kuala Lumpur.”

Group photo of some members of the delegation
Photo credit to MATTA member

Besides instilling confidence among the Indian travellers that it is safe to visit Malaysia, another objective of the roadshow is to provide a platform for its local industry players to bounce back and recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Those participating in the roadshow comprised 22 travel agents specialising in inbound tourists from India, four hoteliers, four product owners and three Malaysia-based airlines. See the list below. 

Tourism Malaysia targets to attract two million international tourist arrivals and RM6.8 billion in tourism receipts for 2022.


Malaysia is now open for quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated international tourists. Those from India can apply for Malaysia’s eVISA online.

Among the standard operating procedures for travelling to Malaysia are they are required to take a RT-PCR test two days before their departure to Malaysia. Upon their arrival, they must undergo a professionally administered RTK-Antigen test within 24 hours. 


PARTICIPANTS IN THE ROADSHOW TO INDIA

Travel agencies 
Asia Region Holidays Sdn Bhd
Asian Season Travel Sdn Bhd
Asian Famous Tours & Travels
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
Asian World Holidays Sdn Bhd
Azuki Tours Sdn Bhd
Bary Tours Sdn Bhd
Bel Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
D’Mart Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
Destination Explore Sdn Bhd
Devoyager Global Tours Sdn Bhd
Eco Coach & Tours (M) Sdn
Exotic Asia Holidays Travel Tours Sdn Bhd
Friendly Vacations Sdn.Bhd and Travel DMC Group
Hibiscus Travel & Tours Sdn
One Holidays Above Sdn Bhd
RV Holidays Sdn Bhd
The Traveller Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Taj Tours (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tourland Travel Sdn Bhd
U2 Travels and Tours Sdn Bhd
United Travels & Tours Sdn

Hotels/Resorts
Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels
Lexis Hotels & Resorts
Shangri-La Group

Tourism Products & Attractions 
Resorts World Genting
Sunway Lagoon Sdn Bhd
Legoland Malaysia Resort
Desaru Coast

Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Malindo Air
AirAsia

Others
Webbeds
























Thursday, April 14, 2022

Rainforest World Music Festival Of Sarawak Returns In June 2022


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Are you ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) from 17-19 June after the physical event has been put on hold over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RWMF, with its humble beginnings in 1998, attracted a small crowd of about 300 music enthusiasts but at its last count of in 2019 before the Covid-19 lockdown, this event had over 20,000 people attending it. 

Many of its fans will be delighted to welcome back RWMF 2022, themed the “Legendary Rainforest Celebration” by its organiser Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), which will be holding it in hybrid format for the first time.

While the venue remains at Sarawak Cultural Village, music enthusiasts who are unable attend the physical live show, can livestream it in the comfort of their homes via subscribing an online viewing platform.

At the recent launch of the 25th Legendary RMWF at the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, says: “I’m very proud of how far our homegrown product has come: From around 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998 to becoming the first hybrid festival of its kind in Malaysia.

Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative
 Industry and Performing Arts,
 Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

“Concertgoers who miss the feel of the physical concert can come together in mutual appreciation of world music, and those around the world can enjoy world music live from the comfort of their own homes.” 

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor remarks, “Every year, we strive to make the RWMF better than the year before.

“Last year’s Virtual Experience gave us invaluable feedback on how we could work towards combining the best of both worlds – physical and the digital – to create RWMF’s first hybrid edition this year. 

“We hope that creating this unique precedent for the 25th edition of the festival will become a keystone for the next 25 years for the festival, bridging the past with the future and sustaining and reinventing our musical heritage and its traditions for many years to come.”

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive
Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor 

When STB tried out the virtual platform last year, streaming RWMF Virtual Experience for free viewing, it received encouraging response from 402,865 viewers who tuned in from 79 countries last year. 

In February this year, STB won the bronze award at the Marketing Excellence Awards Malaysia 2022 for its Excellence in Mobile Marketing for the RWMF, which recognises outstanding marketing strategies.

As in previous RWMFs, an international selection of performers and local groups will be showcasing their best presentations with non-stop music before sunset to midnight at the weekend.

STB is currently finalising its list of international performers from Canada, India, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, China, Bhutan, South Korea and the United States among other countries.

It is working with Majlis Seni Sarawak, mixing traditional Sarawakian music with international flavours to open the three-day show in a first-time musical collaboration. 

File Picture: The nightly crowd over the thousands that filled the Sarawak Cultural Village 

RWMF is more than just a music concert or festival. It has become a breeding ground for Sarawakian talents to become international performers at other international music festivals worldwide. This year, STB will again showcase some of these Sarawakian talents.

They include Alena Murang, Kemada, Sang Rawi, At Adau, Tuku Kame, Suk Binie’, Nading Rhapsody and Mathew Ngau alongside other international talents.

 
STB Director of Communications Margaret Apau (third from right) receiving the
bronze award for Excellence in Mobile Marketing for RWMF. Picture from STB

There will be an Early Bird ticket sales for the RWMF 2022 starting 18 April for both the physical and virtual concerts on www.rwmf.net


For the physical concert, festival-goers can grab tickets in the different categories: An adult one-day pass at RM150, adult three-day pass (RM375); child one-day pass (RM80), child three-day pass (RM155) while a one-day family package pass for two adults and two children costs RM400.

The virtual tickets for the RWMF 2022 are priced at RM25.

Teaser Video Rainforest World Music Festival is "BACK"

Malaysia Airlines has been named the official airline partner for the RWMF 2022. This collaboration, a continuation of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) partnership with STB, will see the national carrier together with its sister airline Firefly and Journify offering unbeatable deals comprising flights and a three-day event pass to drive visitors to Sarawak. 

Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have early birds deals of up to 15% and 10% off discounts on flights on selected Malaysia Airlines, including from London, Australia and some ASEAN destinations and the recently launched Firefly’s jet operations from Penang to Kuching.

Firefly started direct flights from Penang to Kuching from 11 April using
Boeing 737-800 aircrafts

The sale will start from 25 April until 14 May for travels from 1-30 June. These tickets are available exclusively for those who purchase the three-day pass via the airline’s respective websites, where they are required to include the promo code to enjoy the discounts on the air tickets. 

Customers will also have the option to buy the “value-for-flights” deals exclusively on Journify that offers MHflypass plus a three-day pass to the RWMF 2022 at a fixed attractive price which gives them flexibility, convenience, and control over their flight spending.

The MHFlypass offers two convenient options for passengers travelling for the RWMF based .on their destination origin, allowing them to choose the zone that matches their travel needs best

Early birds can grab a MHFlypass for as low as RM1,774 for Zone 2 and RM1,974 for Zone 3 with the flights valid for a year.

Zone 2 offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Kuala Lumpur and destinations in Sabah and Sarawak while Zone 3 allows them to fly from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia destinations, with a connection in Kuala Lumpur.

Multiple payment options are available, including an installment plan or Buy Now Pay Later, for these deals.

Speaking on behalf of MAG, MASWings Chief Operating Officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar says, “We are honoured to be appointed as the official carrier for the highly anticipated 25th edition of RWMF to bring in travellers from all over the world to the Land of the Hornbills.”

With Malaysia’s international borders reopening on 1 April, he believes this collaboration with STB will be “vital to rebuild the tourism industry, stimulate domestic and international travelling, and help support industry players' value chains such as travel agents, product owners, local artisans, and business partners”.

He adds, “We will continue to build travellers' confidence by maintaining high levels of safety and hygiene standards onboard our flights to make it a memorable travel experience for all to fly confidently, fly Malaysia and fly beyond.”


#RWMF
#Sarawak Tourism board
#Malaysia Aviation Group
#Malaysia Airlines
#Firefly
#MASWings
#Wolrd Music Festival
#Sarawak Cultural Village
#Journify
#
Borneo Cultures Museum