Malaysian Association of Hotels: MAH Kedah/Perlis Chapter has inked a partnership agreement with Kedah’s Education Department

By Anthony Tan

VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Kedah/Perlis Chapter has inked a partnership agreement with Kedah’s Education Department to recruit physically challenged school leavers to work in hotels in the state to help overcome acute manpower shortage besetting its industry.
 
Under the agreement, Kedah’s education authorities will provide a list of disabled school leavers to the hotels whereby members of the MAH Kedah/Perlis Chapter will help train these students for a specific period.
 
Upon completion of their training, these students may be offered permanent jobs if they meet the hoteliers’ basic service and job expectations. This partnership arrangement is believed to be the first in the country by MAH to address the labour woes faced by its members.
 
A number of the hotel staff laid off during the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic-cum-lockdown have either found new and better paying jobs in other industries or started their own business. 

Eugene Dass

Many of them are reluctant to return to work in the hotel industry given the uncertainty as to when international borders would be reopened amidst the rising Covid-19 cases.

At the signing ceremony of this partnership agreement held at the Star City Hotel in Alor Star, the two signatories were MAH Kedah/Perlis chairman Eugene Dass and Kedah education director Rozaini Ahmad.

According to Rozaini, each school in Kedah has an average 30 students suffering from some forms of mental or physical disabilities. While some of these students may be slow learners, they can be trained to earn an honest living and be accepted by the community.

Eugene says its Fuller Hotel in Kulim, currently employs two physically challenged staff in its housekeeping division.

Also present at the signing ceremony were MAH Kedah/Perlis vice chairman Razmi Rahmat (General Manager of Adya Langkawi), its honorary secretary Reginald T Pereira (CEO of Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi, other hotel general managers from Sungai Petani and Alor Star as well as Kedah deputy education director Mokhtar Ahmad.

SMK Dato Wan Mohd Saman’s special education teacher Mohd Nazri Zulkeply, who was also at the event, welcomes the initiative by the hoteliers to train the physically challenged school leavers, offering them opportunities to be self-reliant. 

Malaysia Aviation Group Gives Booster Shot To Sarawak’s Tourist Arrivals For 2022 – with Event Video

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has partnered Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to woo more tourist arrivals into Sarawak in 2022, moving in tandem with the recent increase in air connectivity to more destinations within the Land of the Hornbills from Peninsular Malaysia, and other countries to come in the near future.

Standing from left: Captain Izham Ismail, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, 

Dennis Ngau and Hii Chang Kee
Sitting from left: Sharzede Salleh Askor and Lau Yin May 

The collaboration between them was formalised via the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May and STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor on 19 February in Kuala Lumpur. 

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, STB chairman Dennis Ngau and MAG group CEO Captain Izham Ismail.

Sia Sitok Sarawak Plus is officially launch

STB and MAG will be jointly marketing and promoting events as well as working together on inter-organisational partnerships for Sarawak’s tourism activities, corporate social responsibility activities, and other collaborative opportunities.

Under MAG’s wing, the parties involved are Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings and MHholidays.

One of the objectives of their year-long partnership is to promote Sarawak as a choice favourite tourist destination in 2022 through the launch of the Sia Sitok Sarawak Plus Interstate Travel Campaign. Sarawak is targeting 1.2 million domestic tourists this year.

The full recording of the event can be viewed below:-

AirAsia Adds Four New Routes In January 2022

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Encouraging more domestic travel at the start of 2022, AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) has scheduled launches of four new routes connecting East and West Malaysia. 

Its Kuching-Langkawi flight took off on 5 January while three other routes will take off towards end-Jan.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat says with the festive season upon us, AirAsia is excited and fully ready to offer our guests more routes between more major towns and cities in Malaysia. 

“These new routes will further strengthen our tourism footprint in Malaysia, providing more options for international visitors to travel between the states.

“We look forward to explore even more new routes across Malaysian airports from other parts of our Asean network. 

“From an operational standpoint, we have extensively prepared to ensure all of our guests can travel safely, seamlessly and with peace of mind. 

“AirAsia guests are always assured of the stringent health and safety protocols enforced on all of our flights with our highly trained and fully vaccinated crew continuing to deliver the world’s best service during the pandemic.”

AirAsia’s Four New Routes 

Routes	2022 Launch Dates	Weekly Frequency	All-in one-way fare from
Kuching – Langkawi	5 January	Wednesday and Sunday	RM99
Penang – Sibu	27 January	Thursday and Saturday	RM139
Johor Bahru – Bintulu	28 January	Friday	RM119
Kota Kinabalu –Kuala Terengganu	30 January	Sunday	RM159

Langkawi International Airport

Besides having only fully-vaccinated employees operate flights and be on-duty at airport terminals, only fully-vaccinated guests are accepted onboard its flights.

To add value to these new routes, AirAsia’s passengers can purchase great value flights and hotel deals from RM239 via the SNAP icon on the airline’s Super App from now until 16 January for travels from 25 January to 30 June.

Those who prefer to book their hotels separately may check out the Hotels icon in the app and get an extra 10% off with the promo code, AAHOTEL10.

Sultan Mahmud Airport – Kuala Terengganu

As part of its robust Covid-19 mitigation plan, AirAsia has made it mandatory for guests to check-in via its Super App and launched a unique FACES facial recognition boarding system that makes the entire journey fully digital and contactless.

The airline has spent the downtime period in travel over the past 20 months to further improve and revamp its flight procedures and processes in the interest of safety and well-being of all its guests and employees.

Its aircraft are properly maintained according to procedures set by the manufacturer, claims AirAsia, which has set up an in-house maintenance, repair and operations unit, Asia Digital Engineering, that provides services not only to AirAsia but also other airlines. 

Likewise, its pilots and cabin crew are regularly trained for mandatory refresher courses and ongoing retraining so that they are always on top of their job.

For more information on AirAsia’s safety measures and travel SOPs, please read its latest travel advisory here.

Malindo Air To Launch Four Times Weekly Flights On Kota Bharu–Langkawi Route

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

ATR72-600’s 72-seat turbo-prop aircraft

Malindo Air has announced in early January that all flight bookings are open for its Kota Bharu-Langkawi return service commencing 27 January 2022. 

This four times weekly service marks the airline's new route into Langkawi in order to meet the domestic travel demands.

Malindo Air CEO Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri remarks, “We are very delighted to launch our latest service between Kota Bharu and our famous holiday destination of Langkawi. This new service is in response to the high demand by the public. 

“We see immense opportunities for future growth associated with this new connectivity as Langkawi is a tax-free haven.”

The Langkawi pilot travel bubble has provided the much-needed respite for Malaysians to pursue their wanderlust again after almost two years of travel restrictions during the pandemic. Langkawi’s breathtaking natural scenery and landscapes, with its local touch of cultural heritage, have made it a great tourist attraction.

Malindo Air Chief Executive Officer 
Captain Mushafiz bin Mustafa Bakrie 

Mushafiz says this new route will not only boost the tourism industry but also other businesses from those visiting their family and relatives or on business travel. 

“We will work closely with the Langkawi Development Authority, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as well as the tourism agencies from both states.”  

Meanwhile, the Kelantan government is focusing its efforts to attract domestic tourists to its state and reviving its Visit Kelantan campaign which has been derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A quick check at Malindo Air booking website shows the one-way promotional fare for the new Kota Bharu –Langkawi route starting from RM169 for the super saver ticket while the Flexi category starts from RM349.

The new service will be operated using ATR72-600’s 72-seat turbo-prop aircraft. 

Malindo Air’s scheduled flights between Kota Bharu (KBR) and Langkawi (LGK) from 27 Jan 2022

Sector	Flight No.	ETD	ETA	Frequency	Flight Time
KBR-LGK	OD1334	10:15	11:20	Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat	1:05
LGK-KBR	OD1335	14:50	15:05	Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat	1:15
All timings stated are local time in 24-hour format. ETD: Estimated time of departure; ETA: Estimated time of arrival

Visit: https://www.malindoair.com for more details.

Malaysia Wins Four Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Awards 2018

By Anthony Tan

VIRGIN Communications 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk
  

The PATA Gold Awards recognise exceptional achievement in a variety of endeavours, acknowledging and rewarding the very best that the Asia Pacific’s travel industry has to offer.  

This year’s awards attracted 200 entries from 87 organisations and individuals worldwide. The 34 winners were selected by an independent judging committee consisting of 14 senior executives from the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

These awards generously supported and sponsored since 1995 by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) this year recognise the achievements of 27 separate organisations and individuals.  

The awards ceremony will take place in Langkawi, Malaysia on September 14 during PATA Travel Mart 2018.
  

The 34 Grand and Gold Awards will be presented to organisations such as Langkawi Development Authority, Tourism Malaysia, AirAsia and The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, all four from Malaysia. 
 

The Iconic Eagle of Langkawi Islands Located at Dataran Lang at Kuah

Other winners include the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, UAE; Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB); Jetwing Hotels Ltd, Sri Lanka; Kerala Tourism, India; Marianas Visitors Authority; Melco Resorts and Entertainment, Macao; DMC, India; Amadeus Asia Ltd, Thailand; and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 

This year’s awards attracted 200 entries from 87 organisations and individuals worldwide. See full list below.

Maria Helena de Fernandes, 

MGTO Director

MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said, “This year’s PATA Gold Awards winners present us with yet another wide array of remarkable accomplishments in the different branches of the tourism industry. 

“MGTO is honoured to help facilitate this PATA awards programme, which for the past over two decades has been bringing into the limelight so many exceptional contributions, inspiring tourism stakeholders throughout the Asia Pacific region to build a vibrant whilst sustainable tourism industry.” 
    

Dr Mario Hardy, PATA CEO, remarked, “This year’s winners exemplify the true values of the association in working towards a more responsible travel and tourism industry in Asia Pacific. I look forward to celebrating all of their accomplishments at the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Presentation at PATA Travel Mart 2018 in Langkawi.”

The PATA Grand Awards are presented to outstanding entries in four principal categories: Marketing; Education and Training; Environment, and Heritage and Culture.

Amphawa Canal Community, Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand

TAT will receive the 2018 PATA Grand Award for Education and Training for its King’s Wisdom for Sustainable Tourism project, a collaboration between TAT and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Thailand.

  

Dr Mario Hardy 

PATA CEO

It uses the principles of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s “sufficiency economy philosophy” in its work towards four primary objectives.

They are to be able to continue working on the king’s principle to restore local wisdom and promote sustainable tourism, stimulate domestic tourism, create value in the tourist areas in order to increase revenue, promote human resources development and strengthen the community to think and do by themselves leading to sustainable development. 
  

Thai Traditional Dance

The Environmental award will be presented to Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps, Thailand for their various activities, including its Elephant Conservation Project, Children’s Project and Wildlife Monitoring Project. 

They also organise a smaller project, CO2 offset, to seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint. 

The Heritage and Culture Award will be awarded to the HKTB for its ‘Art is Everywhere’ project. 

Two talented artists collaborated on the photography project, which showcased the hidden art gems in HK. 
 

The Iconic Double-Decker Trams of Hong Kong

The project was the first time for an Asian destination organisation to initiate a photography project designed to focus on promoting art scenes, collaborate with a US photographer and professional dancers for social media promotion, and raise awareness of Arts month and local cultural hubs, creating conversations on social media among local and international art lovers.

The Marketing Award will also be presented to the HKTB for  its 'HongKong Neighbourhoods: Old Town Central' campaign. 

To raise awareness and encourage visitors to explore the dynamic district of Central and Sheung Wan, HKTB repackaged the area into ‘Old Town Central (OTC)’.

Instead of creating an advertising campaign to talk about OTC, they created an immersive experience by featuring the characteristics of the area and developed a strategic model to guide travellers all the way from ‘I have never heard of Old Town Central’ to ‘I enjoy walking around Old Town Central’ with the ultimate goal of inviting them to go deeper into the area and learn something new about HK.

AirAsia has been named the World's Best Low-Cost Airline 2018 by SKYTRAX for the 10th year in a row and will add another feather on the cap by winning PATA Gold Award 2018 - Marketing - Carrier Adventure Live   

Full List PATA Gold Awards 2018.
  

PATA GRAND AWARDS 2018 

      1.    PATA Grand Award 2018

             Education and Training

              King’s Wisdom for Sustainable Tourism
            TAT

2.   PATA Grand Award 2018

             Environment

             Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps, Thailand

3.   PATA Grand Award 2018

      Heritage and Culture

             Art is Everywhere

             HKTB

4.   PATA Grand Award 2018

Marketing

Hong Kong Neighbourhoods: Old Town Central

HKTB  

  

PATA Gold Awards 2018

    1.     PATA Gold Award 2018

            Marketing – Primary Government Destination

            Amazing Green Thailand: A’maze 2017

            TAT

     2.    PATA Gold Award 2018

            Marketing – Secondary Government Destination 

            Your Extraordinary Story 

            Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, UAE

     3.    PATA Gold Award 2018

            Marketing – Carrier
            Adventure
            AirAsia, Malaysia 
     
      4.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing – Hospitality

Studio City Dinosaur Hunt

Melco Resorts and Entertainment, Macao

5.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing – Industry

Mekong Moments

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, Thailand

6.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing – Young Travellers

My Hong Kong Buddy

HKTB

7.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing – Adventure Travel

Difference Aside Reality Show

Langkawi Development Authority, Malaysia

8.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Environment – Corporate Environmental Programme

The Essence of Our Being

Jetwing Hotels Ltd, Sri Lanka

9.     PATA Gold Award 2018

Environment – Ecotourism Project

Cinnamon Elephant Project

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Sri Lanka

10.    PATA Gold Award 2018

Environment – Environmental Education Programme

300 Ways to Save – Green Practices

The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, Malaysia

11.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Corporate Social Responsibility

Making Great Moment to the Community

MGM, Macao

12.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Women Empowerment Initiative

Empowering Women through Inclusive Work

PEAK DMC, India

13.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Heritage

India Heritage Walk Festival

Sahapedia, India

14.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Culture

Online Campaign 2017: 6 Senses of Local Experience in Thailand

TAT

15.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Community-Based Tourism

Local Alike, Thailand

16.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Education and Training

The Official Marianas Guide

Marianas Visitors Authority

17.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Travel Advertisement Broadcast Media

Holidays Bring You Closer

SOTC Travel LTD, India

18.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Travel Advertisement Print Media

Yalla Kerala Campaign

Kerala Tourism, India

19.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Travel Brochure

Experiential Showcase of the Indian Journeys

Cox and Kings, India

20.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – E-Newsletter

Experience Malaysia

Tourism Malaysia

21.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Travel Poster

Live Inspired Campaign

Kerala Tourism, India

22.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Public Relations Campaign

Journey of Me by Amadeus

Amadeus Asia Ltd, Thailand

23.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Social Media

InstaGUAM

Guam Visitors Bureau

24.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Mobile Travel Application

Visit Korea: Official Guide

Korea Tourism Organisation

25.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Travel Video

Uncommon Experience

The Ultimate Travelling Camp, India

26.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Marketing Media – Website

My Hong Kong Buddy

HKTB

27.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Travel Journalism – Destination Article

Angkor Away, Holidays with Kids, April 2017

Aleney de Winter

28.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Travel Journalism – Industry Business Article

The Technology Experience, TTGmice, June 2017

Karen Yue, TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd

29.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Travel Journalism – Travel Photograph

Cruising through the Cave

TAT

30.  PATA Gold Award 2018

Travel Journalism – Travel Guidebook

An Interactive Guide to Angkor

Dougald O’Reilly