Sarawak Welcomes Back Malaysia Airlines Direct Flight From Penang To Kuching

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

2 December 2021 will go into the historical records on Malaysia Airlines’ resumption of its direct flight from Penang to Kuching. Before this, business and leisure travellers have to transit at KL International Airport for their connections to Sarawak’s capital city.

The Penang-Kuching flight operates twice weekly with average fare at RM209 one way. The national carrier is using Boeing 737-800 which offers 16 Business Class and 144 Economy Class seats.

MH2721 flight, carrying 140 passengers, touched down at Kuching International Airport at about 9.50 am and was a given the traditional water cannon salute by two fire water trucks from Malaysia Airports’ Fire Department to celebrate the occasion. 

The passengers were welcomed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; its Permanent Secretary and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Deputy Chairman Hii Chang Kee; STB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor; Malaysia Airlines Head of Sales Roslan Ismail and Maswings Chief Operating Officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar. 

A Sarawak cultural performance troupe was also part of the welcome delegation

Abdul Karim, in his welcoming speech, said, “Sarawak is nestled on the beautiful island of Borneo, separated from the Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea. One of the ways in and out of the island is by air connectivity. 

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC)
 Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

“It is so good to see we are now connected via Malaysia Airlines to another beautiful island, Penang. With travel restrictions easing up in Sarawak, the state is looking forward to more new direct routes and increased frequency of direct flights from Malaysia’s other hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Kota Kinabalu as well as greater collaboration with the national carrier.

“Passengers’ safety will always be our main priority with stringent standard operating procedures enforced so that they will have peace of mind while travelling to Sarawak.

“Fully vaccinated domestic travellers from all states in Malaysia need not quarantine upon arrival to Sarawak and no PCR or RTK Covid-19 tests are needed prior to departure. 

“The only requirement needed is the application for ‘Enter Sarawak’ for non-Sarawakians and filling in the e-Health declaration form,” he added.

Sharzede quipped, “We are heartened to welcome passengers from Penang to Sarawak. A unique plethora of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals, we are certain travellers from Penang will enjoy the many offerings of Sarawak.”

“We extend our appreciation to MTAC Sarawak and Malaysian Airlines for the addition of this new route and look forward to welcoming more visitors from Penang during the upcoming holiday season.

“We will continue creating meaningful experience for our travellers whilst spearheading responsible tourism initiatives as we believe it will contribute to the wellbeing of our local communities and the environment.”

Malaysia Aviation Group CEO Captain Izham Ismail remarked, “Malaysia Airlines is honoured to recommence operations between these two key domestic sectors, Penang and Sarawak. As national carrier of the country, we play a unique role in stimulating the travel and tourism industry. 

“This move is very timely as air travel gradually picks up domestically and we are ready to serve business or leisure travellers with the connectivity they need.

“Our sister company MASwings is also supporting with increased operations from Kuching to Miri with 12 times weekly flights effective 1 December 2021, signifying our commitment to provide better air connectivity within Malaysia and into the rural areas of Borneo.” 

TOURISM MALAYSIA WINS AT LAKE TOBA TOURISM AWARDS 2021

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications - Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

23 September 2021 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Tourism Malaysia’s Medan office in Sumatra, headed by its Director Hishamuddin Mustafa, was the proud winner of the Leading Foreign Tourism Office category at the inaugural Lake Toba Tourism Awards 2021.

Tourism Malaysia’s Medan office in Sumatra, Director Hishamuddin Mustafa (Right) Receiving The Award From ITTA President Panca R Sarungu (Left)  

Organised by the Indonesian Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTA) Foundation, the event was held on 23 September 2021 at JW Marriot Hotel Medan.

In the award citation, Tourism Malaysia Medan was praised for its active role in promoting and engaging with the media, industry players and government agencies in Indonesia, especially in the island of Sumatra despite the Covid-19 pandemic which impacted the tourism industry worldwide.

Tourism Malaysia Medan received 631 votes ahead of Singapore Tourism Board (61 votes) and India Tourism Ministry’s Incredible India (23 votes). 

The judging process combined online voting as well as evaluation by ITTA Board of Advisor and Binus Business School.

A total of 32 awards were given under various categories as a form of appreciation to the tourism industry players in North Sumatra, which included airlines, hotels, resorts, villas and travel agents. 

JW Marriot Hotel Medan

PT Citilink Indonesia, awarded the leading Low-Cost Airlines, had its West Area 1 Manager Jerrimiaz Immanuel as the recipient and saying that it would encourage Citilink's management and employees to provide better service to its passengers. 

The awards were presented by ITTA President Panca R Sarungu to the following: \

1.   5-star Hotel = Cambridge Hotel Medan

2.   4-star Hotel = Adimulia Hotel Medan

3.   3-star Hotel = Harper Wahid Hasyim Medan By Aston

4.   Business Hotel = Ibis Style Medan Patimura Hotel

5.   Boutique Hotel = Karibia Boutique Hotel

6.   Moslem Friendly Hotel = Hotel Grand Darussalam Syariah Medan

7.   Theme Park = Mikie Funland Berastagi

8.   Romantic Hotel = Hotel Niagara Parapat

9.   Thematic Resort = Pancur Gading Hotel & Resort

10.  Resort of the Year = Taman Simalem Resort

Leading Hotel In Berastagi - Mikie Holiday Resort

11.       Eco Resort = Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang Cottage

12.       Tourism Village = Desa Wisata Sigapito

13.       Hotel of the Year = JW Marriot Hotel Medan

14.       Hotel of the Year In Berastagi = Mikie Holiday Resort

15.       Hotel of the Year In Parapat = Khas Parapat

16.       Hotel of the Year IN Samosir = Samosia Cottages Resort

17.       Leading New Hotel = Senior Bakara Hotel

18.       Leading Heritage Hotel = Grand Inna Medan

19.       LeadingTransport Company = Sentosa Transport Medan

20.    Gift and Souvenir Shop = Risol Special GoGo

21.    Leading Hotel and Theme Park = Labersa Toba Hotel and Convention Centre

 Leading Hotel and Theme Park - Labersa Toba Hotel and Convention Centre

22.       Leading Inter-City Transport = PT Pelita Pradep

23.       Innovative Destination = Desa Wisata Kampoeng Lama – Agrowisata Paloh Naga

24.       Leading Tourism Bus = PT Horasindo Wisatanusa (Horas Tours)

25.       Leading Museum = Museum Perkebunan Indonesia

26.       Leading Local Culinary = Burung Goreng Beringin Pematang Siantar

27.       Leading Foreign Tourism Office = Tourism Malaysia

28.       Leading Luxury Hotel in North Sumatra = JW Marriott Hotel Medan

29.       Leading Low-Cost Airlines = PT Citilink Indonesia

30.    Leading Telco Company=PT Telkom Indonesia (PERSERO) TBK Divisi DBS and Region  1

31.    Top Tourism Personality = Bapak Edy Rahmayadi – Gubernur Provinsi Sunatra Utara

32.    Top Tourism Personality = Bapak Bobby Afif Nasution, SE, MM – Walikota Medan.

PATA appoints Ms Liz Ortiguera as its new CEO

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
23 April 2021
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Ms Liz Ortiguera

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the appointment of Liz Ortiguera as its next Chief Executive Officer effective May 17, 2021, succeeding Dr. Mario Hardy who will finish his term at the end of May.

The announcement was made at the Association’s Board Meeting held in Bangkok.

PATA Chair Soon-Hwa Wong said, “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the PATA family, especially as she will be the first Asian American female CEO in PATA’s 70 year history. Her extensive leadership experience across different industries in the Asia Pacific region is what PATA needs to lead the Association to new heights. The Executive Board looks forward to working closely with her as we rebuild a more resilient, responsible, sustainable and stronger travel and tourism industry."

Commenting on her new appointment, Ms. Ortiguera said, “I am honoured to be selected as the next PATA CEO. I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, will continue to help catalyse our industry's recovery and growth. From crisis comes innovation and from community comes strength. PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable business practices.”

Liz Ortiguera is a senior executive with over 25 years of global experience and expertise in general management, marketing, business development, and partner network management. Liz is passionate about innovation, business transformation, and community building. Her career spans several industries - travel/lifestyle, technology, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. She has experience in working at both multinational corporations including American Express and Merck and start-up environments in software as a service (SaaS), e-commerce, and ed-tech. For 10 years she was the General Manager for Amex's Travel Partner Network in Asia-Pacific, managing partnerships with top travel management companies, MICE, and leisure agencies in the region. She is able to adeptly work across cultures and business environments to catalyse opportunities and drive growth.

 In her personal life, she has been a continual advocate for poverty eradication programmes and education initiatives across the region. Liz is an alumna of the Stanford University Graduate Business School, Columbia University Business School, New York University, and The Cooper Union in New York.