Langkawi Tourism Awards 2013/2014

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

email:anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) organised the fourth the Langkawi Tourism Awards (LITA) on 6 December 2014 to give recognition to tourism industry players and entrepreneurs that have successfully putting themselves and Langkawi in the forefront.

The tourism industry is very competitive and the players have to themselves ahead in the competition or to be squeezed out locally and internationally.

LADA had launch a 5-year plan Langkawi Tourism Blueprint to promote Langkawi as one of the world's best tourism destinations in 2011 and the final year is 2015 which is just round the corner.

A total of 17 categories were contested at the event held at the under-utilised Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) next to the Langkawi International Airport which only hyped with activities due

the LIMA.

The winners of the 17categories are:

1.         Best 5-Star – Four Seasons Resort Langkawi          

2.         Best 4-Star – Casa Del Mar Langkawi

3.         Best 3-Star – The Frangipani Resort & Spa

4.         Best Restaurant – Fish Farm

5.         Best F & B Outlets – The Gulai House, The Datai

6.         Best Practices Geo-park – The Frangipani Resort & Spa

7.         Best Geo-park Experience – Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

8.         Best Geo-park Community – KPSP Kilim

9.         Best Boat Operator – Naam Cruise Sdn. Bhd.

10.       Best Tourist Guide – Mr Irshad Mobarak

11.       Best Tour Operator – Gerteknik Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd.

12.       Best Taxi Driver – Mr  Feisazudin Bin Abdul Hadi

13.       Best Iconic Event – Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2013

14.       Based Best Hotel Spa – V Integrated Wellness & Botanical Spa, The Andaman

15.       Best Tourism Attraction – Langkawi Skycab

16.       Best Duty Free Business – Skymall Duty Free Langkawi International Airport

17.       Best Homestay – Madam Aisyah Binti Ismail/Keda Housing Langkawi

18.       Outstanding Community Leader – Mr Maton Bin Hj Mahmud  

The awards were presented to the winners by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Kedah Religious, Indian and Siamese Community Affairs, Human Resource and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid. Also present at the function was Lada chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli.

Ahmad Husni, pointed out in his speech, “The awards are motivate tourism operators and entrepreneurs in Langkawi to keep improving. The Langkawi Tourism Awards is the best platform for tourism operators to remain competitive and ensure the products they offer are at the highest level.”

Two tourism industry players had the honour to be double-award winners where Four Seasons Resort Langkawi won the Best 5 Star and Best Geopark Experience categories while The Frangipani emerged as winner for the Best 3 Star and Best Geopark Practices categories.

There 9,040 of hotel rooms available in Langkawi as of December 2014 which was release by LADA, ranging from unrated rooms to 5-Star rooms.

LADA is targeting to achieve 3 million tourists arrival to the island with RM3.8billion receipt.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Malaysia Target South Asia, West Asia and Africa top outbound tour operators

By Anthony Tan | Virgin Communications

Email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 

“Make It Malaysia” an inbound tour operators programme initiated by Tourism Malaysia to boost arrivals from the South Asia, West Asia and Africa market. This year from January to July, there were a total of 730,498 (+16.2%) tourists’ arrival from South Asia, from West Asia there were 190,090 arrivals (+13.4%) and 77,159 (+13.0%) arrivals from the Africa region. The arrivals have shown significant increase as compared to last year.

 

This special programme, an initiative by Tourism Malaysia will extend invitations to top outbound tour operators to experience Malaysia as a holiday destination. The programme will update them on the latest tourism products and attractions to enable them to sell their holiday packages to Malaysia.   

Group photo of participants taken with the Director General of Tourism Malaysia Dato' Mirza Mohammad Taiyab
before the start of the mini travel mart

To kick-start this promotion strategy, Tourism Malaysia has brought in 96 tour operators from Algeria, Morocco, UAE, Oman, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, south Africa, Mauritius, Reunion Island and Madagascar to experience the “Make It Malaysia” as a choice destination.

The 8-day “Make It Malaysia” programme began on November 8, consists of tourism product video presentations, a mini travel mart, touristic site visits and tourism products update.

For the travel mart and networking session, the participants will meet with Malaysia’s hoteliers, tour operators and tourism product owners to initiate business contacts. The success of “Make-it-Malaysia” programme is supported by Air Mauritius, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air and Air Qatar Airways.



B2B Session in progress

 

Fast Facts

 

Sellers – 75 Companies comprising 131 representatives from travel and tour operators, hotels and resorts, federal and state tourism authorities, tourism attractions and product operators

 

Buyers – 96 Companies comprising 79 representatives from travel and tour operators and airlines representatives

 

 

 

Malaysia Is Top Destination For Muslim Travellers

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk
 

 

Malaysia has emerged as the world’s friendliest destination, according to Singapore-based Muslim travel specialist Crescentrating, which is recognised for its rating standard for halal friendly travel services.

Crescentrating lay claims to having developed the world’s first system to rate travel and hospitality services as well as facilities for halal Compliance which include the availability of halal food or information on halal food and prayer information among others.

Its survey, which evaluate countries in terms of their attentiveness to the needs of Muslim travellers, covers the availability and accessibility to halal restaurants that provide meat slaughtered according to Islamic procedures.

The survey, also looked into the provision of male and female prayer rooms at airports, shopping malls, touristic attraction venues and hotels.

Following behind Malaysia are the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Morocco, Jordan, Qatar and Tunisia in this year’s top 10 rankings for halal-friendly holiday destinations.



Fazal Bahardeen

Crescentrating chief executive Fazal Bahardeen estimated the Muslim travel market at US$140bil (RM453.3bil) last year, accounting for almost 13% of the global total.

 

Non-Muslin countries such as Japan and Singapore have been cashing into the potential of the Muslim travel market, which is expected to increase to US$200bil (RM647.57bil) by 2020.

 

Japan, which improved its ranking to 40th from 50^th place last year, among the 60 countries, represented the biggest improvement overall and was the most active destination last year to focus on the Muslim travellers segment.

 

Bahardeen said the country launched initiatives such as awareness programmes for the local industry and releasing a Muslim travel guide to Japan. Some airports and hotels in Japan have also started to offer halal food and prayer rooms.
 

He said Singapore, the only non-Muslim country which is ranked sixth among the top 10 countries mentioned above, has performed better than even some of the Muslim countries in enticing those who follow the Islamic faith.
 

The island state offers man-made tourist attractions, a wide selection of local food and is renowned for its cleanliness and orderliness.
 

Bahardeen said other non-Muslim countries which have yet to see the potential of Muslim tourists spending are Italy, Belgium, Ireland and Mexico, which are ranked bottom four in its survey.
 

He, however, noticed that an increasing number of destinations have been tapping into the Muslim travel segment and adapting their services to take into account the unique faith-based needs of Muslim travellers.
 

In Malaysia, the Islamic Tourism Centre plays a key role in educating the industry on how to cater to Muslim travellers.
 

There are now more hotel kitchens with halal certification and an increasing number of hotels catering to the specific needs of Muslim travellers.
 

One hotel even has separate timing for males and females requiring privacy for the use of gym and swimming pools, Bahardeen added.


 

WITM Asia-ITHF 2014: Malaysia And Indonesia Joint Effort

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

The joint efforts by WITM Event Sdn Bhd from Malaysia and Rajamice of Indonesia will see a combination of the WORLD ISLAMIC TOURISM MART (WITM) and INDONESIA TRAVEL and HOLIDAY FAIR (ITHF).

Claiming to be the largest new Islamic travel and tourism industry expo in Indonesia and the region, WITM ASIA-ITHF 2014 will be held at the Karthika Expo, Balai Kartini from 24-26 October 2014 under the concept of a trade mart and consumer travel fair.
 

It will be a golden opportunity for the travel and tourism industry players to meet, network and expand into new tourism market segments, especially with the focus on Islamic tourism not only in the Southeast Asia region but also globally.

 



Bapak Dr Sapta Nirwandar

At a  press conference held in Jakarta recently, the Vice-Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia Dr Sapta Nirwandar encouraged the travel and tourism industry players of Indonesia to participate and take this opportunity to network with the foreign trade buyers in order to bring into Indonesia more foreign tourists, especially from the Islamic countries.

This event has the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Tourism Malaysia, Indonesia Tourism, Islamic Tourism Centre besides partner airlines and hotels.

As there are only limited booths left, Pak Sapta said the travel and tourism industry sector, whether in Indonesia or South East Asia, should immediately sign up so as not to miss out on the benefits of being a part of WITM ASIA-ITHF 2014.

The ITHF, being an established travel fair in Jakarta, is a must visit travel fair whereby the consumers would be able to get the best deals to travel within Indonesia and beyond. 

WITM ASIA-ITHF 2014, held in the world’s largest Muslim country, this projected will enhance the unrealised potential of the Islamic tourism sector. “With over 1.7 billion Muslim population worldwide and a growing affluent Muslim society, the Muslim tourism market is a gold mine waiting to be tapped,” he added.

There will be a conference with the theme “Emerging Trends in Islamic Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Sector” organised concurrently. The conference aims to provide an ideal opportunity to share, exchange and explore new ideas in the Muslim travel trend while the Consumer Travel Fair will allow the consumers to purchase travel and tour packages directly from travel agents at bargaining offers.


Dato Mohd Khalid

Also at the press conference, WITM Events Chairman Dato Mohd Khalid said, “By combining WITM with its emphasis on the expanding Islamic tourism market and ITHF, the organisers plan to provide a one-stop platform for all sectors of the travel and tourism industry not only in Indonesia but also globally to network and expand into new market segments as well as to strengthen the existing Muslim tourism markets.

“Visitors, be it trade buyers, corporate figures, consumers and government representatives will find value-for-money travel and tour packages.”

As for the travel and tourism industry players, WITM ASIA - ITHF 2014 is targeted to be an annual event in Indonesia and will provide the travel industry the opportunity to target consumers, trade buyers as well as learn from the international speakers and panellists, he added. 

 

Casa del Rio Melaka presents “Viva Cuba”

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

Email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

In 2007, the former Chief Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam offered a former senior government officer’s residence in Bukit Peringgit which was used during the British administration, to Cuba to established Casa Cuba.

 

The Cuban Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is put in-charge of Casa Cuba with an important role to play in introducing Cuban arts and culture housed in its gallery to Malaysians and tourists visiting Melaka. The gallery showcases various forms of art by Cuban artists, including paintings, lithographs and ceramic works.

Cuba has its unique culture with an amalgamation of African, Spanish and North American influences which one would find such elements in its food, music and art and the famed Cuban hand-rolled high quality cigars.

The management of Casa del Rio Melaka, a 5-Star boutique hotel decided to re-theme its bar to “Bar Rio” recently with Cuban atmosphere. To give a booster to the place, the management energised it with by a 2-piece Cuban band “Latin Girls” to kick-start the makeover.

To celebrate the opening of Bar Rio, the management organised a one night only “VIVA CUBA” with a spread of authentic Cuban food, music and dance with the collaboration of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba and Tourism Malaysia.

Among the VIPs who were present for official opening of Bar Rio were the Chief Minister of Melaka YAB Datuk Seri Ir Hj Idris bin Hj Haron, HE Manuel Guzman, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; HE Madam Lourdes Puma Puma, Ambassador of Ecuador and the Third Secretary; Political and Consular Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba Madam Yanila Reyes Paret.

Bar Rio will continue to serve Cuban inspired tapas and drinks like Cuban Virgin Mojito or Virgin Mango Daiquiri. Cuban dishes such as lime cured red snapper, chicken salad on fried plantains (bananas), mussels and calamari in garlicky olive oil daily.

Sarawak Convention Bureau performed very well in 2013

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

The Board of Directors with its Chairman of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) Dato’ Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad Abdullah was pleased with his team’s performance for 2013.

 

This was announced when the board had its meeting recently to discuss the excellent achievement of SCB managing the Sarawak’s Business Events Industry.

The SCB team feeling above the cloud

SCB was established in 2006 by the State Government of Sarawak and the first to be set up in Malaysia.

Key wins for 2013 that contributed towards Kuching’s successful ranking in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) include The International Hakka Conference and 55th Anniversary Celebration (October 2013 with 1320 delegates), The International Energy Week (September 2014 with 1200 delegates), and the International Clinical Conference for Assistant Medical Officers and Paramedics (April 2015 with an estimated 700 delegates).

 

In 2013, SCB supported 57 convention bids representing 21,277 delegates, and 71,798 delegate days, which contributed an estimated direct delegate expenditure of RM41.6 million to Sarawak.

 

Dr Muhammad Leo said, “The Business Events sector in Sarawak keeps getting better and better. Recently, we made the Top 30 with ICCA-Asia Pacific and Middle East Country and City ranking for international wins in 2013. This recognition is a huge compliment to the Business Events sector of Sarawak.”

 

At the meeting, Dr Muhammad Leo reinforced SCB’s core objectives to maintain ahead in the industry:

• To win more bids for Sarawak by placing greater emphasis on

  marketing and business partnerships, and on the use of

  sponsorship,

• To enhance education of business and government communities

  and Business Event suppliers of Sarawak so as to retain brand

  value and encourage referred and repeat business and

• To continue to brand Sarawak as a unique destination for Business

  Events.
 

SCB had been on the radar of the ICCA-Asia Pacific and Middle East Country and City ranking in 2010. Kuching has continued to improve its ranking from 38th in 2012 to its current spot at 28th and a worldwide ranking of 136th out of 371 cities - alongside Birmingham, Johannesburg, Las Vegas and Orlando among others.

“Having come out of a tough period in 2012, we were thrilled to place among ICCA’s Top 30 meeting cities in Asia Pacific and Middle East. This would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our industry partners and clients.

"The Business Events Industry in Sarawak just keeps getting better and better. Recently, we made the Top 30 with ICCA-Asia Pacific and Middle East Country and City ranking for international wins in 2013. This recognition is a huge compliment to the Business Events sector of Sarawak.

Dr Muhammad Leo  

"Sarawak industry players can also look forward to industry education opportunities and programs for the remainder of 2014, and in 2015 we will begin an aggressive campaign to capture the international business influenced in the West Malaysia, Singapore, Southeast Asia and Australasia markets,” he added

 

SCB Managing Director Mike Cannon commented: “There has been exciting development for 2014 with the appointment of an Australian based representative, which should result in greater opportunities for further wins and successful familiarisation projects.

 



Mike Cannon


 

“The remainder of 2014 will see the Bureau’s participation in the International Meetings Exchanges (IMEX) America in October 2014 with a familiarisation trip for US based buyers to Sarawak after the show.”

 

Malaysian Association of Hotels 10th Annual Charity Treasure Hunt Heading To Ipoh

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

 

 

 Ipoh is rich in its past and this heritage building
speaks for itself

The 10th Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Charity Treasure Hunt will be flagged off at Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur in the early morning on Sept 27. The time limit to complete the treasure hunt given by the organisers will approximately seven hours and expected to reach Syuen Hotel in Ipoh by about 4pm. The normal time taken by using the north-south highway from KL to Ipoh is between 2-hour to 3-hour.

This year’s treasure hunt is jointly organised by MAH and MAH Perak chapter. As of 28 August, 24 cars have confirmed entries said MAH vice-president and event organising chairman Kamaruddin Baharin.

 

For the past nine years, MAH had successfully organised the treasure hunt to Pedu Lake in Kedah, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Taiping in Perak, Batu Feringghi in Penang, Kuantan and Johor.

 

Below: The organising chairman Kamaruddin Baharin briefing the media Live recording on Youtube; click to the arrow head to go online 

 

 

 

“In the past, the treasure hunt was opened to the public to join the MAH’s members but the participation from the public was not encouraging and this year, we are opening only to MAH’s members. However, if there interested parties from the public, we still welcome them. This year the route to Ipoh would be more challenging than previous editions as it will be using more secondary roads” Kamaruddin said.

 

“One of objectives in organising the treasure hunt event is our contribution to corporate social responsibility while having fun outside our normal working hours, as well as fostering healthier and closer ties with MAH members and at the same time contributing to charity. This is the fourth time this kind of event been organised for charity. This year the proceeds will be donated to welfare homes in Perak” Kamaruddin commented at the launch of the media launch at Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur recently.

 

Also present at the media launch were MAH vice-president Mohd Halim Merican, MAH KL chapter chairperson Shirley Lai, MAH general manager Sharon Lu Fortin and Malaysian Hunt Club principal consultant Baskaran Balakrishnan.

 

 

From left to right: MAH general manager Sharon Lu Fortin, Malaysian Hunt Club principal consultant Baskaran Balakrishnan, organising chairman Kamaruddin Baharin, MAH vice-president Mohd Halim Merican and MAH KL chapter
chairperson Shirley Lai

 

Lost World of Tambun, a popular hot spring
water park attraction not to be missed
when in Ipoh 

Clerk-of-course Baskaran said the idea of the treasure hunt is to take participants on trunk roads, secondary roads, collect items, getting through obstacles to collect points. The use of GPS might not help in this case because many of the roads are not registered on the software. We use our owned mapped out tulip which participants will have to depend on their car’s odometer.

 

“We want the participants to learn and discover about the places they visit and have fun doing it. The participants can look forward to an exciting race next month,” Baskaran assured.

 

He pointed out there are regular treasure hunters who would even find difficulty in the hunt as it is not about driving from one point to another because in between there obstacles and things to do or to find objects. This will gives everyone an equal chance to win. There have been many times, the amateurs who win the top position because of their team effort to collect the vital points along the way.

Ipoh is a food paradise, one of the speciality
available is herbal chicken baked in salt. 

Entries close on Sept 15. The entry fee for each vehicle is RM750 and the subsequent vehicles entry fee is reduce to RM500 per team if the hotel wants to register more than one vehicle. Each car can have a minimum of two and the maximum of four passengers. Participants will be entitled to overnight stay at Syuen Hotel on twin sharing basis.

The champion will get RM3,000 cash, a Star Cruise trip to Krabi. The second and third placed winners will get RM2,000 cash together with a hotel vouchers and RM1,000 and hotel vouchers, respectively. There will lots hotel-stay and meal vouchers to be won apart from the main three prizes.
 

Don't forget to get something for your loved ones and friends like these speciality from Perak

 

Those interested in taking part can download the entry form at www.hotels.org.my

or call 03-4251 8477  

 

 

 

 

ASEAN Economic Community 2015 Forum – “Where is Tourism Heading?”

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

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Malaysia Chapter, in collaboration with PATA Headquarters with the support from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia (MOTAC) and Tourism Malaysia, is organising a Hub City Forum (HCF) themed ‘AEC 2015 – Where is Tourism Heading?

 

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) tourism industry is one important sector where there are still some issues needed to be addressed by the 10 nations in South East Asia. AEC will be implemented with effect from 1 January 2015 with its objectives to transform the region into a single market and production base with a high competitive advantage to make it a stable and prosperous region.

This forum may be one last call and update on how will the AEC affect and impact tourism businesses in the region and its ASEAN member-country and in particular, Malaysia.

This is the first time for HCF to be held in Malaysia after it was successfully held in Singapore, Jogjakarta and Seoul.



Datuk Azizan - Chairman,
PATA Malaysia Chapter

The forum will be a good platform for the Malaysia’s industry players to present the issues faced by Malaysia in the making of the AEC and find solutions to chart new paths for growth in the travel and tourism industry. The forum will be held on 15 October 2014 at The Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur and officially launched by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia.

 

Tourism and hospitality industry players, airlines, land transport operators, sea transport operators and those with interest in this industry within the region should attend this last call forum before heading into ASEAN open market AEC to learn and share the experiences to be prepared to face new challenges.

 

Organising Committee - PATA Malaysia Chapter

 

 

Programme on 15 October 2014

 

8:30 am   Arrival of Guests/ Registration

9:30 am   Arrival of YB Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia

9:35 am   Welcome Remarks by Chairman, PATA Malaysia Chapter

9:50 am   Keynote Address by YB Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia

 

10:15am   Coffee Break

 

10:50am  Panel Discussion 1 – Tourism Development Policies under

                AEC 2015 Getting ready for influx of tourists: Is Malaysia

                ready to welcome the likely influx of travellers in open

                borders?

 

               This panel will explore the role of policies and regulations

               and how it can facilitate the industry’s development as it

               begins in 2015.

 

Moderator: Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary General, MOTAC

 

Panelists: 

(i)    H.E. Le Luong Minh, ASEAN Secretary General  

(ii)   Representative from Immigration/ Secretary General of Ministry

       of Transport, Malaysia  

(iii)  Mr Eduardo Santander, Executive Director, European Travel

       Commission (ETC)                

(iv)  Mr Andrew Herdman, Director General, Association of Asia

       Pacific Airlines

 

11:50am Panel Discussion 2 – ASEAN Implementation Plan
               Regional cooperation:
               Will AEC help to see the emergence of new travel regions?

               How does ASEAN benefit to become a community based
               on three pillars: economic, political and socio-cultural?

               This panel will take a look at growing connectivity, crisis 
              management and recovery, multi-country thematic circuits,
              integrated products, and aligned accreditation.

 

Moderator: Ms Sharanjit Leyl (Presenter, BBC World News)

 

Panelists: 

 

(i)   Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid, Chairman of the CIMB ASEAN Research
      Institute

(ii)  Mr Klaus Geil, Head of Sector, External Aviation Policy,
      European Commission

(iii) Mr Tom Jenkins, CEO, European Tour Operator Association

(iv) Mr Alexander Kesper, Team Leader, ASEAN-EU Management
      Programme

(v) Mr Charlie Ballard, Director of Research, TripAdvisor

 

12.50 pm Luncheon

 

14.30 pm Panel Discussion 3:

                Embracing AEC New Opportunities ASEAN recognises

                the potential opportunities and challenges to the travel and

                tourism sector. This panel will discover the importance of

                regional partnership, branding, human capital development

                and sustainability in this rapidly growing Asia market.

 

Moderator: Mr Martin Craigs, CEO, PATA

 

Panelists:

(i)   Mr Rashid Hasbullah, Deputy Secretary General, MOTAC  

(ii)  Mr Lawrence Leong, Head of Singapore Tourism Board

(iii) Mr Pichai Raktasinha, Director for ASEAN, South Asia and South
      Pacific Market, Tourism Authority of Thailand                

(iv) Mr Rolando Canizal, Assistant Secretary, Department of Tourism
      Philippines  

(v) Mr Sam Cheah, President of Malaysian Association of Hotels

 

15:30 pm Closing Ceremony Closing Remarks Communique

16:30 pm High-Tea/Light Entertainment

18:30 pm End of Event