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

The Malaysian Association of Hotels’15th Charity Jam is BACK!

By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 

 For the last 14 years, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has been organising a multi-band “Jam Session” with lots of food and drinks to collect funds for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), which has over 600 critically ill children to care for annually.

Left to Right: Sam Cheah, President of MAH and SS
Rajaa, Jam Session Organinsing Chairman

Since the inaugural charity jam, about RM600,350 has been channelled to PICU and this the organisers has set a target to raise RM70,000 from this year’s charity event. MAH, together with Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, the co-organiser and venue host, will hold its 15th Charity Jam Session 2014 this Saturday on 6 September from 2pm until late in the night at the hotel’s Hugo’s On 6.
 

MAH’s member hotels such as Dorsett Grand Subang, Hotel Royal, Sunway Putra, The Saujana, Seri Pacific, Avani Gold Coast Sepang and Pacific Regency have confirmed participating in this annual charity event. They will be dishing out with their best-selling signature dishes to MAH members and the public through an individual stall concept while a main water-hole or drinks counter will be pumping out drinks for those on liquid diet!

 

The live bands performing are T-Junction, Perfect Imperfection, Corn Cake Kings, La Viva, Winds of Change, D'Stags, The Country Gentlemen, Artstream, Carbolic Smoke Balls, Night Birds, Sharin Band, Joe 'Elvis' Rozario, Sam Ponnudurai and Friends, Vijay David and Friends, Gerard Singh and Friends, Sensations and Dhol Federation will also be rocking on that day. These bands are playing their part for this charity event and they are performing for free to entertain the crowd.
 

 

All the money collected after deducting expenses will be donated to PICU. The Food and Beverage coupons are sold at RM120 per booklet (10 coupons x RM12).

 

The organisers encourage its members to generously pledge to purchase at least two booklets worth RM240.

 

For purchase over RM200, a tax exemption receipt would be given by PICU upon request.

 

Each coupon entitles you to a glass of beverage or food per servicing as indicated in the printed menu.

 

This will be an opportunity for them to enjoy and network with fellow members and other people from all walks of life while serving a noble cause in the name of charity.

 

Exciting activities throughout the day include lucky draws with great prizes to be won.

 

Best Western Premier Dua Sentral general manager Ian Hurst said the hotel is having a special promotion package deal for those who would like stay over after the whole day long partying or the need to take a break in between the charity party.

 

To make this charity event possible, the organisers appreciate the generous support from their loyal sponsors over the years. See banner.

 

For more details, contact SS Rajaa at 012-2780325; email:ssrajaa@dbix.com.my


 

GLOBAL CRUISE TOURISM CONFERENCE 2014

By Anthony Tan | Virgin communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

GLOBAL CRUISE TOURISM CONFERENCE 2014

7-8 August 2014

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia

THEME: ADVANCING THE GROWTH IN CRUISE TOURISM
Organise By: WITM Events Sdn Bhd

Programme – 7th August 2014 – Thursday

08.00am          Registration Of Delegates

09.30am          Welcome Speech By Ybhg Dato’ Mohd Khalid

                        Harun – Chairman Of Malaysia Premium Travel Fair

                        2014 & Global Cruise Conference 2014

SESSION 1: GLOBAL CRUISE DEVELOPMENT

09.45am          Success Of Cruise Industries In The Global Arena

                        Dato’ Issac Alexander – Chief Executive Officer Of

                        Tropical Charters, Malaysia

 

10.15am          Development In Cruise Lines – Opportunities

                        Mr Bert Van Muylwijk – Director Of Northport &

                        Johnson, Thailand

 10.45am          Coffee Break

 11.00am          River Nile Cruise Tourism

                         Mr Elhamy Elzayat – Chairman Of Egyptian Tourism

      Federation, Egypt

 

11.30am          Panel Discussion

        Moderator – Dato Ir Hj Abdul Aziz Hj Abdullah,   

        Managing Director Of Iaz Resources Corporation

12.00pm          Lunch/Prayer

 SESSION 2: CRUISE DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA

14.00pm          Asia’s New Entrants To The Cruise Business

                       Bapak Noviendi Makalam – Director Of International 

                       Relation Ministry Of Tourism & Creative Economy,   

                       Republic Of Indonesia

 

14.30am          Cruise Tourism In The Land Below The Wind, Sabah
                        Malaysian Borneo
                        YM Dato’ Seri Tengku Dr. Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood,
                        Chairman Of The Sabah Parks

15.00pm          Importance Of Port Infrastructure For Cruise Lines

      Tuan Hj Alimi Ibrahim – Senior Manager Of Traffic &

      Engineering Support, Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn

      Bhd

15.30pm          Growing A Cruise Business In Southeast Asia

       Mr Farriek Tawfik – Director Of Southeast Asia,

       Carnival Cruise Plc, Singapore

 

16.00pm          Cruise Tourism: Optimizing Benefit For Malaysian
                          YB Dato’ Hjh Maznah Mazlan – Deputy Chairman Of 
                        Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia

16.30pm          Panel Discussion

                        Moderator – Ms. Ivy Chee – Regional Director, Pacific
                        Asia Travel Association (PATA)

17.00pm          Coffee Break

                                   Sessions End Day 1

19.30pm          Welcome Dinner

GLOBAL CRUISE TOURISM CONFERENCE 2014

8th August 2014 – Friday

08.30am          ARRIVAL OF GUESTS, VIPs & DELEGATES

08.45am          Arrival Of Yb Dato’ Sri Hasan Malek, Minister Of 

                        Domestic Trade, Cooperative & Consumerism,

                        Malaysia

09.00am          Welcome Address By Emcee

09.05am          Address By Yb Dato Sharkar Hj Shamsudin

      Chairman Of Tourism Pahang, Favourite Domestic

      Destination Partner

09.10am          Keynote Address & Officiate By Yb Dato’ Sri Hasan

                        Malek

 09.45am          End Of Opening Ceremony & Coffee Break

SESSION 3: CRUISE DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA

10.00am          Success Of Cruise Tourism Putrajaya
                           Pn. Zaharah Salamat – Chief Executive Officer Of
                        Cruise Tasik Putrajaya, Malaysia

10.30am          Presentation On Cruise Tourism

                          Mr Michael Hackman – Executive Vice President - Cruise Operations,
                       Genting Hong Kong Limited/Star Cruises, Hong Kong

11.00am        Promoting Marine Leisure Industry In Malaysia
                      Mr Oh Kean Shen - Managing Director Of Pen-Marine
                      Sdn Bhd

11.30pm          Panel Discussion
                          Moderator – Datuk Hjh Rozzana Dato’ Rahmat,
                       Managing Director Of Srt Travel & Tours

12.00pm          LUNCH/FRIDAY PRAYER

15.00pm –       Business To Business Networking Sessions

17.00pm

17.00pm          END OF GLOBAL CRUISE TOURISM CONFERENCE 2014

NOTE: The organizer reserves the right to change the programme topics and timing as necessary to ensure success of the event.