Third Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2012 Expects To be Bigger

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Malaysia International Shoe Festival (MISF) has been a success since it started in 2010. It is expected to have more exhibitors and visitors than last year. It will be held from March 29 to April 1 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur and the first day it is only open trade visitors. From March 30 to Apr 1 it is open to the general public from 10.3Oam to 8.3Opm with free admission.

MISF 2012 will be open by Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah Hamidun.

Last year, MISF attracted over 55,000 visitors and the cash register machines rang up with total sales of RM6.2 million transacted over the three days.

The MISF is jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA).

At the soft launch, Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said “When buying a pair of shoe, it should be selected because it looks good and trendy fashionable shoes but it is important to make sure your health is not compromised.

Shoes can cause you to have backache and knee problem because your feet are supporting your whole body weight.”

She added “This year, MISF will focus on shoes and wellness. There would be talks by experts for visitors to learn more about ways to take care of their feet and ankles. There will be experts to help visitors on how to select the right pair of shoes to be worn according to the person body structure and foot health care.”

The Tourism Minister said MISF has been added to the Tourism Calendar together with Citrawarna Malaysia, Contemporary Art Festival and Fabulous Food Festival.

“In order to ensure our programmes are well-known, we must fix a date to inform the world and travel agents will be able to sell holiday packages to coincide with the various festivals,” she told a media conference after the launch of the shoe festival at the Malaysian Tourism Centre.

The festival is aimed at establishing Malaysia as the “Shoe City of Asia” by providing an ideal platform for shoe industry players to showcase their craftsmanship, latest designs, shoe-related products and services to become world renowned brands.

“This will turn Malaysian-made shoes are among ‘must-buy’ items for tourists during their trips here and we hope to establish Malaysia as the ‘Shoe City of Asia’,” Dr Ng said.

Also present at the soft launch were Tourism Ambassador and world famous shoe maker Prof Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo, Secretary General of the Ministry Dato’ Ong Hong Peng and president of the Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA) Tony Ting.

The 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival (1MISF) which has been held since two years ago has made it into the Malaysian in a move to introduce and strengthen the position of the festival in the world.

The four-day festival this year, the organisers are targeting to attract 60,000 local and international shoe buyers with about RM6.5 million in sales turn over.

Ting said “There will 150 booths with more than 100 local and overseas shoe manufacturers from Asean countries, United Arab Emirates and Germany. About 90 per cent of the participants are local.”

According to Jimmy Choo, “The Malaysia manufacturers are good in making summer footwear as our country has a hot and wet climate throughout the year. That is why sandals are very popular here. That is why many tourists that come here, will shop for summer footwear.”

Among the highlights of MISF 2012, there will Jimmy Choo’s “Sogno”Gallery to showcase special design couture collection, a collection of conventional and unconventional bridal footwear, theme after the dragon year.

There will also be a shoe fashion show, shoe painting competition, miniature shoe design competition and the Clog Shoe-Making Gallery’ showcasing the work of physically challenged shoemakers.

The popular Shoe History Gallery’ will highlight the Rainforest Shoe Wonderland’ a gigantic 13-feet- tall rainforest shoe vying for the Malaysian Book of Records.

The 5th Malaysia Footwear Design Competition 2012 held concurrently MISF will announce the winners on March 29 with the winner will get the chance to attend the Guangzhou International Footwear Design Competition.

As a promotional gimmick, a Perodua Viva with a large Red lady high heel shoe placed on its roof will be driven around Kuala Lumpur to shopping malls, university, colleges and tourist attractions in a road show with interactive games and give away freebies to promote the shoe festival which Ng flagged off at the soft launch.

For more details and update, logon the MISF official website: www.malaysiafootwear.com

5th Thailand Trade Show 2012 at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre Kuala Lumpur

By Anthony Tanemail: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Opening Speech by Mrs Nannatee Wiboonchutikula – Minister Counsellor (Commercial) at the Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur

The 5th Thailand Trade Show 2012 (TTS 2012), an annual international trade fair organised by the Office of Commercial Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur. It is a division under the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce.

TTS 2012 is a trade and consumers show with its objectives aimed to create trade & business opportunities for Malaysian importers and wholesale entrepreneurs to promote Thai products and services. It is also to expose such products and service on display to reach out the general publics’ five senses, to see, touch, taste, smell and hear to understand Thai products and services better.

This year, there are over 65 Thai companies with a wide range of industries e.g. food and beverage, toys, textile, jewellery, garments, fashion accessories, cosmetics, beauty and health care, herbal products, handicrafts, gifts items, home deco, household products, kitchenware, auto parts and tourism.

There are fun games & activities for the whole family as part of the stage programmes. There are great bargains for shoppers as the exhibitors are not going to take their products back home after the show as they would incur extra cost.

Tourism Authority of Thailand is presenting cultural dances, umbrella painting and Thai desserts as well as promoting Thai holiday destinations.

One of the items that is in popular demand is the body massage oil and other essential oils

The Thais are also strong in the manufacturing of herbal products like hair dye, bath soap, hair tonic and other toiletries.

TTS 2012 is open to public with free admission at Hall 3, Level 3 Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur from March 8-10, from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. Please take note, it is open from 10.30 am to 7pm on Sunday March 11.



Kevin S (in black shirt), regional sales director of KPN Material Co Ltd from Suphanburi was promoting a hair tonic made from Thai-Chinese herbs with 120 years' history.

He was having a busy time at TTS 2012 with his stocks almost run out by the second day. He claimed his other product, DNA Essential is a close second to Estee Lauder anti-wrinkle cream.


Another tourism industry related link by MICE Malaysia Beyond:http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/

WTTC forecast to pass 100m jobs and USD2 trillion GDP in 2012

Travel and Tourism is set for a milestone year as the industry’s direct contribution to the global economy is expected to pass $2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs.

According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global Travel & Tourism industry will grow by 2.8% in 2012, marginally faster than the global rate of economic growth, predicted to be 2.5%.

This rate of growth means that Travel & Tourism industry is expected to directly contribute $2 trillion to the global economy and sustain some 100.3 million jobs.

When the wider economic impacts of the industry are taken into account, Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute some $6.5 trillion to the global economy and generate 260 million jobs – or 1 in 12 of all jobs on the planet.

In 2011, Travel & Tourism’s total economic contribution, taking account of its direct, indirect and induced impacts, was US$6.3 trillion in GDP, 255 million jobs, US$743 billion in investment and US$1.2 trillion in exports. This contribution represented 9% of GDP, 1 in 12 jobs, 5% of investment and 5% of exports.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “In 2012, when international travellers are expected to surpass one billion for the first time, the industry will pass two other major milestones: a direct contribution of $2 trillion to the world economy and 100 million jobs. But these numbers are dwarfed by the total forecast contribution of our industry – $6.5 trillion to the global economy and 260 million jobs.”

Over the medium-term, the prospects of the industry are even more positive with average annual growth expected to be 4% through to 2022 by which time Travel & Tourism will employ 328 million people – or 1 in 10 of all jobs on the planet.

David Scowsill continued: “It is clear that the Travel & Tourism industry is going to be a significant driver of global growth and employment for the next decade. Our industry is responsible for creating jobs, pulling people out of poverty, and broadening horizons. It is one of the world’s great industries”.


Other selected highlights from the research show:

• South & Northeast Asia will be the fastest-growing regions in 2012, growing by 6.7%, driven by countries such as India and China where rising incomes will generate an increase in domestic tourism spend and a sharp upturn in capital investment, and recovery in Japan

• After an extremely challenging 2011 when civil unrest and violence had a dramatic impact on demand for Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, North Africa is showing signs of recovery in 2012 with Travel & Tourism direct GDP growth forecast at 3.6%. Morocco (8.3%) will be the star performer of this region as negative perceptions of security continue to affect tourism in Egypt and Tunisia

• In the Middle East, where civil unrest and violence in some countries continues, growth will be more subdued (3%), although there are stark differences at country level. Qatar will grow fastest at 13.2% while Syria will likely see another dramatic fall, estimated at 20.5%, as the political situation worsens, increasing concerns over security. It is worth noting that 14% of all international arrivals in the Middle East in 2010 were for Syria, the second most important destination in the region after Saudi Arabia

• The mature economies of North America and Europe will continue to struggle in 2012 North America, which is saw a slight upturn in the USA’s economic situation at the end of 2011, should see growth of only 1.3% in Travel & Tourism direct GDP over the year

• The prospects for Travel & Tourism growth in Europe in 2012 are precarious. Current forecasts suggest a 0.3% increase in Travel & Tourism direct GDP for the region overall, but this will be propped up by newer economies such as Poland and, of course, Russia. A decline of 0.3% is expected across the European Union. Consumer spending is set to tighten as austerity measures kick in, and there continues to be considerable uncertainty around the future of the Eurozone and peripheral economies of Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Source: World Travel & Tourism Council – Press Release

Another tourism industry related link by MICE Malaysia Beyond: http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/

Innovative Tourism Students in Spotlight at the PATA Social Entrepreneur Challenge

News Release from PATA

A View Of The City Of Kuala Lumpur

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Tourism Malaysia, and Taylor’s University are inviting students in travel and tourism to participate in the 2012 PATA Social Entrepreneur Challenge, part of the 2012 PATA Annual Conference (PAC2012), April 21-22 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “The commitment to Next Gen paradigm shifts and new thinking will be centre stage during the competition. We will discover the best student business plan. Young people will share their vision for growing the travel industry in a responsible way -- PATA Next Gen in action.”

The challenge is aimed at undergraduates in tourism, hospitality or culinary arts in higher learning institutions in Asia Pacific. They should be ready to present an innovative sustainable tourism business idea at the PATA Annual Conference, the region’s premier travel industry thought leadership event.

Students are invited to form a team (maximum three persons) and submit a video on a socially responsible tourism business idea on YouTube (maximum 5 minutes). The proposal should fit in with any one of the following themes: changes in travelling patterns; changes in tourism and hospitality sectors; innovation in tourism and hospitality products; exploration of new tourism products; the influence of technology in the tourism industry; and tourism’s extra disciplinary roles.

Three final teams will be sponsored to present their idea live in front of a panel of the judges and delegates at the PATA Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur, April 21-22. Two awards will be granted to a champion judged by travel and tourism experts and the audience’s favourite via the competition’s dedicated Facebook page.

The deadline for students to submit their idea via video is March 31, 2012.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/patasocialentrepreneur/
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/2012-PATA-Social-Entrepreneur Challenge/317776261603142
Email: pata.social.entrepreneur@gmail.com

Offer for Professors and Teachers
PATA strongly encourages students and academics to join the PATA Annual Conference with the following offer: eight students get one FREE registration -- professors or lecturers who bring at least eight students will have their conference registration fee waived. Academic registrations will be arranged on a group basis with the offer of complimentary registration for professors or lecturers conditional on them bringing eight or more students. For more information visit www.pata.org/pac2012 or email to events@PATA.org.

Source: www.PATA.org
March 6, 2012, Bangkok:

Malaysia will host 2012 Pacific Asia Travel Association Annual Conference

By Anthony Tan email: micemalaysiabeyond@gmail.com

Sunset view of Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia will be the venue for this year’s Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur from the April 19 – 22 and will bring together delegates from all areas of travel and tourism industry from the Asia Pacific region.

The 2012 PATA Annual Conference (PAC2012) will be hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia. The conference will address the theme "Building the Business Beyond Profits" and will feature some of Asia's most acclaimed and conscientious entrepreneurs.

The conference is shaping up as a great networking, insights, and Next Gen thought leadership forum that will deliver tangible benefits to all professionals.

Martin J. Craigs, PATA CEO, said: "PATA is proud to bring the PATA Annual Conference back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, since the last conference in 2001 when the association celebrated its 50th anniversary. PATA Next Gen expresses the association's commitment to build business with all the new tools of the trade without losing our face-to-face friendships or sense of fun."

The speakers, all Next Gen thought leaders, will share their successful social entrepreneurship business models and principles.

Founder of G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, will address the closing session on “Building the Business Beyond Profits.” G Adventures has grown to become a world leader in adventure travel, with offices around the world, offering small group experiences in over 100 countries to more than 100,000 travelers annually.

As one of Canada's Top 40 under 40, Bruce has also won Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year twice and has been honoured as Canada's 100 Leaders of Tomorrow. In “Profit” magazine, Bruce was hailed as one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs in Canada within the last 25 years. Bruce is a very inspiring and charismatic speaker who has presented to audiences of thousands.

Before the start of the annual conference, a number of activities will be held between April 19-20 and them is the PATA’s Annual General Meeting, the PATA Chapter Colloquium, the PATA Board & Category Committee meetings, the 2012 PATA Gold Awards luncheon, and PATA Foundation fund raising activities, will be held at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, the official venue.

Since this event is held in Malaysia, Malaysian travel trade and tourism industry players should not miss it.

Those interested in the 2012 PATA Annual Conference can still register and for more information about the conference, please visit www.PATA.org/pac2012

Another tourism industry related link by MICE Malaysia Beyond: http://airlinesairportsmalaysia.blogspot.com/