Tourism Malaysia’s Convention Division is planning to make the fifth Global Meet Malaysia, expected to take place in September 2007, the biggest edition of the MICE show.
The division’s deputy director, Mr Zulkefli Haji Sharif, said promotions would be “more aggressive”.
“Invitations to international buyers will be sent out at least three months ahead, to give them ample time to prepare,” he said.
As part of the strategic approach to draw international buyers, the invites will be sent together with a free copy of a MICE facilities guide, which will be published by the end of this year.
The event is held at a different venue each time so repeat visitors will get a fresh experience. The seven-day programme includes post- tours that will take international buyers and media to different states, to allow them to experience the different cultures and wide-ranging MICE facilities.
Tourism Malaysia estimates its share of the international MICE market to be 1.67 per cent of the US$30 billion it is said to be worth.
The fourth Global Meet Malaysia, held two months ago at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, saw its largest turnout with 102 buyers, 24 media representatives from 27 countries, and 100 local MICE suppliers and service providers representing the private and public sectors.
Sarawak Convention Bureau CEO, Ms Jill Henry, said: “We’ve received enquiries from Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and Europe who are interested and were previously not aware of our products.”
Bangladesh-based Times Aviation executive director, Ms Yasmin Rahman, said: “I have been selling Malaysia for over three years, but this event has given me a wider perception of what the country has to offer. Each state has its own characteristics and diverse customs which I did not have a lot of awareness of. After this exposure, I am sure I will be able to sell more.”
News Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Friday, November 24, 2006
Langkawi seeks UNESCO branding
LANGKAWI is seeking UNESCO recognition as a geological park (geopark) under the Global Network of Geoparks.
The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia submitted a dossier of the Langkawi Geopark to UNESCO last month.
Next month, UNESCO officials will visit the islands and make an assessment. LADA general manager, Mr Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani, said: "If all goes well, an official announcement will be made at the second International Symposium Development Within Geopark Environmental Protection & Education in China in June 2007."
The UNESCO recognition will be a good marketing tool to attract scientists, geologists and longhaul tourists from Europe, he added.
LADA is targeting a 25 per cent increase in tourist arrivals next year, which translates to 2.5 million tourists as a result of this new attraction.
News Source :TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia submitted a dossier of the Langkawi Geopark to UNESCO last month.
Next month, UNESCO officials will visit the islands and make an assessment. LADA general manager, Mr Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani, said: "If all goes well, an official announcement will be made at the second International Symposium Development Within Geopark Environmental Protection & Education in China in June 2007."
The UNESCO recognition will be a good marketing tool to attract scientists, geologists and longhaul tourists from Europe, he added.
LADA is targeting a 25 per cent increase in tourist arrivals next year, which translates to 2.5 million tourists as a result of this new attraction.
News Source :TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
VMY 2007's Flowery Start
Flora Fest to kick off VMY 2007
KUALA LUMPUR – Visit Malaysia Year will have a "flowery" start with the two-week flora extravaganza, Flora Fest, which kicks off on January 20.
The fest's highlight is a grand floral parade, "Colours of Harmony", on January 27 in Putrajaya. Throughout the fest period there will be a series of flora-related events that include a "florathon" in Kuala Lumpur.
Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, said the fest would also showcase Malaysia's rich tropical flora and fauna, a potential major tourist attraction. About 1.7 million foreign tourists are expected to come for the flower festival.
Target tourist arrivals for VMY 2007 is 20.1 million tourists. A total of 50 major and 240 minor events has been planned for this special year.
News Source : Travel Weekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR – Visit Malaysia Year will have a "flowery" start with the two-week flora extravaganza, Flora Fest, which kicks off on January 20.
The fest's highlight is a grand floral parade, "Colours of Harmony", on January 27 in Putrajaya. Throughout the fest period there will be a series of flora-related events that include a "florathon" in Kuala Lumpur.
Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, said the fest would also showcase Malaysia's rich tropical flora and fauna, a potential major tourist attraction. About 1.7 million foreign tourists are expected to come for the flower festival.
Target tourist arrivals for VMY 2007 is 20.1 million tourists. A total of 50 major and 240 minor events has been planned for this special year.
News Source : Travel Weekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
VMY2007 Theme Song
VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 THEME SONG
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, launched the Visit Malaysia Year theme song entitled “One Golden Celebration” at the Putra World Trade Centre on Monday, 20 November 2006.
The theme song, a fusion of contemporary and traditional music composed by Ismail Paul Lingan and his team, portrays the celebration of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary of independence. It creates awareness of VMY 2007 and Malaysia’s fascinating attractions for listeners.
The VMY 2007 theme song is available in three major languages – Bahasa Melayu, English and Mandarin. The English version is used in the VMY campaign worldwide.
According to Datuk Dr Victor Wee, the 3.5 minute theme song conveys the beautiful sounds of Malaysia and has a feel good factor as its lyrics paint the Malaysian cultural tapestry with a Dikir Barat chorus expressing the richness of local culture.
The Malay and English versions of the theme song are sung by Juwita Suwito, a talented local singer and voice coach, while the Mandarin version is by Chew Paul Way, a local singer and composer. Members of the public can download the theme song from the Tourism Malaysia website.
A Postcard from Malaysia contest was also launched at the same time in an effort to draw more people to browse the Tourism Malaysia website. The winner of the online contest will win two round trip tickets to Malaysia from anywhere around the world.
Online visitors can log on to http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/ to participate in the contest. There will only be eight winners for this contest which will end on 20 December 2006. Besides the contest, visitors can send beautiful postcards of Malaysia available in the website to their associates, friends and family members.
Updated:
The Malaysia One Golden Celebration Download link is here. (Right Mouse Click and Save)http://202.157.188.226/consumer/postcards/music/VMY%203.5%20mins-12.10.06.mp3
Lyrics to Malaysia One Golden Celebration
Music by: Kieran Kuek
Lyrics by: Paul Lingan & Kieran Kuek
Malaysia
There’s a place not far away
Different faces yet all the same
With a million dreams
In one golden celebration
Malaysia
It’s the place for us to be
It’s the time to feel so free
With a million smiles
In one golden celebration
Malaysia
Come and spread your wings
There’s so much to see
There’s a million colours
Right before your eyes
It’s one golden celebration
Come and spread your wings
There’s so much to see
There’s a million colours
Right before your eyes
It’s time to celebrate
It’s one golden celebration
Mari Adik Adik
Mari Abang Abang
Mari Ramai Ramai
Mari Bergembira
Mari Adik Adik
Mari Abang Abang
Mari Ramai Ramai
Mari Bergembira
Feel the magic in the air
Every moment and everywhere
With a million thrills
In one golden celebration
Malaysia
A million colours, a million dreams
A million smiles and a million thrills
For you and me
In one golden celebration
Malaysia
Spread your wings
And take your flight
One celebration
One delight
It’s the time for us to be
One golden moment for you and me
A million colours , a million dreams
A million smiles, a million thrills
It’s the time for us to be
One golden moment for you and me
Come and spread your wings
There’s so much to see
There’s a million colours
Right before your eyes
It’s one golden celebration
Come and spread your wings
There’s so much to see
There’s a million colours
Right before your eyes
It’s time to celebrate
One golden celebration
(Malaysia)
It’s time to celebrate
It’s one golden celebration
Mari Adik Adik
Mari Abang Abang
Mari Ramai Ramai
Mari Bergembira
Celebration
Mari Adik Adik
Mari Abang Abang
Mari Ramai Ramai
Mari Bergembira
Malaysia truly Asia
Related Posts
News Source : Tourism Malaysia
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Bas Khas Bawa Pelancong - Hop on-Hop off
Bas khas bawa pelancong dilancar
KUALA LUMPUR: Empat daripada 10 bas pelancongan berkonsepkan ‘Hop on-Hop off’ yang akan beroperasi di ibu kota mulai akhir Disember sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2007 (TMM2007) dilancarkan semalam.
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Ruslin Hasan, berkata pelancaran perkhidmatan bas menerusi kerjasama syarikat Elang Wah Sdn Bhd bagi memudahkan pelancong melawat produk pelancongan di sekitar bandar raya Kuala Lumpur.
Beliau berkata, buat permulaan hanya empat bas beroperasi di sebanyak 43 lokasi tumpuan pelancong termasuk KLCC, Menara Kuala Lumpur, Taman Burung, Dataran Merdeka, Istana Negara dan Muzium Negara.
Katanya, perkhidmatan bas itu mungkin agak asing di Kuala Lumpur tetapi sudah lama wujud di kota London, Paris, Barcelona dan Edinburgh.
“Bas pelancongan ini memberi keselesaan bukan saja kepada pelancong asing, malah pelancong domestik yang berhasrat melawat tempat menarik di ibu negara.
“Mereka tidak perlu menunggu terlalu lama kerana bas itu akan sentiasa berada di 43 lokasi untuk mengambil penumpang,” katanya pada sidang media sebelum menghadiri mesyuarat ahli Badan Penasihat Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Kuala Lumpur (MTPKL) di sini, semalam.
Turut hadir Ketua Pengarah Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Datuk Salleh Yusup; Pengarah Urusan Elang Wah Sdn Bhd, Syed Azhar Syed Nadzir; Pengarah Eksekutif Elang Wah Sdn Bhd, Rizal Ashram Tan Sri Ramli dan Ketua Penolong Setiausaha Kementerian Wilayah Persekutuan, Mohd Ali Othman.
Sementara itu, Syed Azhar berkata, bas pelancongan yang setiap satu dianggarkan bernilai RM700,000 akan dilengkapi sistem rakaman pendengaran maklumat dalam lapan bahasa.
Beliau berkata, bas berkenaan disediakan dengan pemandu pelancong bagi memudahkan pelancong asing mendapatkan maklumat pelancongan menarik di sekitar ibu negara.
“Bas dua tingkat dan berbumbung kaca ini akan beroperasi bermula jam 8.30 pagi hingga 8 malam setiap hari selain berhenti di sebanyak 23 hentian sekitar bandar raya.
“Tiket harian fleksibel yang dicadangkan adalah RM38 bagi dewasa, RM16 bagi pemegang MyKad, RM17 warga emas, RM3 kanak-kanak lima tahun ke bawah dan RM32 untuk keluarga,” katanya.
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Ruslin Hasan, berkata pelancaran perkhidmatan bas menerusi kerjasama syarikat Elang Wah Sdn Bhd bagi memudahkan pelancong melawat produk pelancongan di sekitar bandar raya Kuala Lumpur.
Beliau berkata, buat permulaan hanya empat bas beroperasi di sebanyak 43 lokasi tumpuan pelancong termasuk KLCC, Menara Kuala Lumpur, Taman Burung, Dataran Merdeka, Istana Negara dan Muzium Negara.
Katanya, perkhidmatan bas itu mungkin agak asing di Kuala Lumpur tetapi sudah lama wujud di kota London, Paris, Barcelona dan Edinburgh.
“Bas pelancongan ini memberi keselesaan bukan saja kepada pelancong asing, malah pelancong domestik yang berhasrat melawat tempat menarik di ibu negara.
“Mereka tidak perlu menunggu terlalu lama kerana bas itu akan sentiasa berada di 43 lokasi untuk mengambil penumpang,” katanya pada sidang media sebelum menghadiri mesyuarat ahli Badan Penasihat Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Kuala Lumpur (MTPKL) di sini, semalam.
Turut hadir Ketua Pengarah Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Datuk Salleh Yusup; Pengarah Urusan Elang Wah Sdn Bhd, Syed Azhar Syed Nadzir; Pengarah Eksekutif Elang Wah Sdn Bhd, Rizal Ashram Tan Sri Ramli dan Ketua Penolong Setiausaha Kementerian Wilayah Persekutuan, Mohd Ali Othman.
Sementara itu, Syed Azhar berkata, bas pelancongan yang setiap satu dianggarkan bernilai RM700,000 akan dilengkapi sistem rakaman pendengaran maklumat dalam lapan bahasa.
Beliau berkata, bas berkenaan disediakan dengan pemandu pelancong bagi memudahkan pelancong asing mendapatkan maklumat pelancongan menarik di sekitar ibu negara.
“Bas dua tingkat dan berbumbung kaca ini akan beroperasi bermula jam 8.30 pagi hingga 8 malam setiap hari selain berhenti di sebanyak 23 hentian sekitar bandar raya.
“Tiket harian fleksibel yang dicadangkan adalah RM38 bagi dewasa, RM16 bagi pemegang MyKad, RM17 warga emas, RM3 kanak-kanak lima tahun ke bawah dan RM32 untuk keluarga,” katanya.
News Source : BeritaHarian
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
MAHA can be Tourist Attraction
Maha can be tourist attraction
News Source : NST
SERDANG: The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (Maha) has great potential to become an attraction for tourists from around the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Maha had progressed from being just an agricultural show into an event that could attract visitors from far and wide.
"Maha is interesting as it showcases a wide variety of agricultural products, fresh produce, agrotechnology and the latest technological advances in the sector.
"This means that Maha can be touted as a tourist centre and an attraction for both locals and foreigners," he told reporters after touring the new Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute site in Serdang near Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday where the show was held this year.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Maha had progressed from being just an agricultural show into an event that could attract visitors from far and wide.
"Maha is interesting as it showcases a wide variety of agricultural products, fresh produce, agrotechnology and the latest technological advances in the sector.
"This means that Maha can be touted as a tourist centre and an attraction for both locals and foreigners," he told reporters after touring the new Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute site in Serdang near Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday where the show was held this year.
Najib said the large number of foreign exhibitors this year was a step forward in making Maha a tourist destination when they visit Malaysia.
For the first time also, the exhibition had an international pavilion showcasing agricultural developments in China, Australia, Canada, India and other countries.
China was invited as the ‘guest nation’ and next year, the honour will go to Australia.
Najib said a RM220 million allocation had been approved by the Cabinet during Wed- nesday’s meeting for the development of the site as a permanent exhibition centre.
As great importance had been placed on the agricultural sector, Najib said it marked a paradigm shift for the sector as it had proven to yield positive economic returns.
He said even the popularity of traditional agricultural produce, such as vegetables, fruits and livestock, had shown an upward trend of late.
"The agricultural sector is no more seen as a less competitive sector, but as a positive and dynamic sector," he said.
For the first time also, the exhibition had an international pavilion showcasing agricultural developments in China, Australia, Canada, India and other countries.
China was invited as the ‘guest nation’ and next year, the honour will go to Australia.
Najib said a RM220 million allocation had been approved by the Cabinet during Wed- nesday’s meeting for the development of the site as a permanent exhibition centre.
As great importance had been placed on the agricultural sector, Najib said it marked a paradigm shift for the sector as it had proven to yield positive economic returns.
He said even the popularity of traditional agricultural produce, such as vegetables, fruits and livestock, had shown an upward trend of late.
"The agricultural sector is no more seen as a less competitive sector, but as a positive and dynamic sector," he said.
News Source : NST
Six-star Boutique Hotel at Jalan Bukit Bintang
Pavilion KL on course to open in September 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s seven-storey “retail podium” in Jalan Bukit Bintang is on track to open its doors on Sept 20 next year, said Urusharta Cemerlang Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Zainol Mahmood.
Urusharta Cemerlang is the landowner of the project, which offers 1.37 million sq ft of retail space in the Golden Triangle. It has appointed Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd project development manager.
“We would like to confirm the date of completion as early as possible so that our valued retailers and tenants would be able to plan ahead their business, such as designing their shop premises, ordering their products or undertaking renovation works,” Zainol said at the project topping-up ceremony yesterday. The event was officiated by Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop.
Topping-up marks the critical stage in construction, when the roof is put onto the structure of the building.
To date 70%, or 950,000 sq ft, of the retail space had been taken up “by some of the best known retail brands,” said Kuala Lumpur Pavilion chief executive officer Brisco Fan.
Also expected to be ready next September is the 19-storey commercial office block of the project.
The residential blocks, consisting of 368 units, were expected to be completed by end-2008, while the hotel would still be at the master plan stage, Fan said.
According to a company statement, international research consultants Urbis JHD had estimated retail sales of about RM1.56bil for Pavilion Kuala Lumpur for 2008.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s seven-storey “retail podium” in Jalan Bukit Bintang is on track to open its doors on Sept 20 next year, said Urusharta Cemerlang Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Zainol Mahmood.
Urusharta Cemerlang is the landowner of the project, which offers 1.37 million sq ft of retail space in the Golden Triangle. It has appointed Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd project development manager.
“We would like to confirm the date of completion as early as possible so that our valued retailers and tenants would be able to plan ahead their business, such as designing their shop premises, ordering their products or undertaking renovation works,” Zainol said at the project topping-up ceremony yesterday. The event was officiated by Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop.
Topping-up marks the critical stage in construction, when the roof is put onto the structure of the building.
To date 70%, or 950,000 sq ft, of the retail space had been taken up “by some of the best known retail brands,” said Kuala Lumpur Pavilion chief executive officer Brisco Fan.
Also expected to be ready next September is the 19-storey commercial office block of the project.
The entire project – located on a triangular-shaped 12.6-acre site and flanked
by Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan – comprises the retail podium, two
blocks of luxury residential towers, a 19-storey office tower and a proposed
six-star boutique hotel.
The residential blocks, consisting of 368 units, were expected to be completed by end-2008, while the hotel would still be at the master plan stage, Fan said.
According to a company statement, international research consultants Urbis JHD had estimated retail sales of about RM1.56bil for Pavilion Kuala Lumpur for 2008.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Thursday, November 23, 2006
To Expand Airport in Ipoh
Bid to expand airport in Ipoh
Reports by MAZNI MUSTAFA and CLARA CHOOI at the Perak State Assembly yesterday
THERE may be no local flights to the city now and the only regional ones are from Sumatra, but Perak is still determined to turn the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport into an international hub.
Tajol: ‘Travellers now have to drive to KLIA’Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said a check he had conducted recently showed that Ipoh residents had the “purchasing power” to travel abroad by air
“I discovered that many Ipoh folk are flying to places like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong,” he said.
However, he added, these travellers now had to face the inconvenience of driving to KL International Airport (KLIA) for their flights.
“They have to wake up at 4am to leave Ipoh. It is difficult for them and also for those wanting to enter Ipoh from KLIA.
“They have to carry their heavy luggage about and spend a few hundred ringgit to take taxis,” he told reporters outside the Perak State Assembly here yesterday.
As such, he said, the state was waiting for the Transport Ministry’s approval to increase flight destinations to and from the city once its airport had been upgraded.
AirAsia suspended flights between here and Senai in September, with its chief executive officer Tony Fernandes citing the short runway as the reason for the move.
Now there are no local flights to the airport here but flights are still coming in from Medan.
On the extension of the runway, Tajol Rosli said it would be meaningless if only the Ipoh-Senai flights were resumed after the extension, due for completion by 2009.
“It will cost about RM40mil to extend the runway. However, it is pointless to spend the money if we do not increase flight destinations,” he said, adding that these could include places like Singapore, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, Acheh, Phuket, Bangkok, Hong Kong, South China and South India.
As an alternative for travellers to KLIA, Tajol Rosli suggested that the Ipoh-Rawang double-tracking railway be extended to the KL Sentral city terminal.
“At least then, people can take the train to KL Sentral and switch to the ERL (Express Railway Link), which will take them directly to the airport,” he said.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Reports by MAZNI MUSTAFA and CLARA CHOOI at the Perak State Assembly yesterday
THERE may be no local flights to the city now and the only regional ones are from Sumatra, but Perak is still determined to turn the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport into an international hub.
Tajol: ‘Travellers now have to drive to KLIA’Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said a check he had conducted recently showed that Ipoh residents had the “purchasing power” to travel abroad by air
“I discovered that many Ipoh folk are flying to places like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong,” he said.
However, he added, these travellers now had to face the inconvenience of driving to KL International Airport (KLIA) for their flights.
“They have to wake up at 4am to leave Ipoh. It is difficult for them and also for those wanting to enter Ipoh from KLIA.
“They have to carry their heavy luggage about and spend a few hundred ringgit to take taxis,” he told reporters outside the Perak State Assembly here yesterday.
As such, he said, the state was waiting for the Transport Ministry’s approval to increase flight destinations to and from the city once its airport had been upgraded.
AirAsia suspended flights between here and Senai in September, with its chief executive officer Tony Fernandes citing the short runway as the reason for the move.
Now there are no local flights to the airport here but flights are still coming in from Medan.
On the extension of the runway, Tajol Rosli said it would be meaningless if only the Ipoh-Senai flights were resumed after the extension, due for completion by 2009.
“It will cost about RM40mil to extend the runway. However, it is pointless to spend the money if we do not increase flight destinations,” he said, adding that these could include places like Singapore, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, Acheh, Phuket, Bangkok, Hong Kong, South China and South India.
As an alternative for travellers to KLIA, Tajol Rosli suggested that the Ipoh-Rawang double-tracking railway be extended to the KL Sentral city terminal.
“At least then, people can take the train to KL Sentral and switch to the ERL (Express Railway Link), which will take them directly to the airport,” he said.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Mandarin Oriental garners top accolades World's Best Hotel
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group garners top accolades in Institutional Investor's 2006 World's Best Hotel Rankings
Nov 23, 06 1:57 am
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group achieved high marks in the 26th annual "World's Best Hotels" rankings in the November issue of Institutional Investor magazine, capturing the #1 and #2 spots, with a total of nine properties ranked in Top 100 list.
Among the hotels chosen for the esteemed publication's awards were:
Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC (#1 Overall; #1 in North America);
The Oriental, Bangkok (#2 Overall; #1 in Asia);
Mandarin Oriental, New York (#9);
Mandarin Oriental, Miami (#14);
Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco (#16);
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo (#43);
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London (#44);
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (#51);
Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhône, Geneva (#76).
Institutional Investor's exclusive rankings of the Top 100 hotels are determined by scores from elite group of voters - CEOs and other senior executives from the U.S., Asia and Europe. Last year, these executives spent an average of 46 days traveling for business. Respondents were asked to rate hotels on rooms, service, food/dining, location and overall design.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 21 luxury hotels with a further ten under development in Riviera Maya-Mexico and Hainan Island-China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Grand Cayman (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau and Marrakech (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, almost 9,000 rooms in 17 countries with 13 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and six in Europe and North Africa.
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Nov 23, 06 1:57 am
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group achieved high marks in the 26th annual "World's Best Hotels" rankings in the November issue of Institutional Investor magazine, capturing the #1 and #2 spots, with a total of nine properties ranked in Top 100 list.
Among the hotels chosen for the esteemed publication's awards were:
Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC (#1 Overall; #1 in North America);
The Oriental, Bangkok (#2 Overall; #1 in Asia);
Mandarin Oriental, New York (#9);
Mandarin Oriental, Miami (#14);
Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco (#16);
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo (#43);
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London (#44);
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (#51);
Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhône, Geneva (#76).
Institutional Investor's exclusive rankings of the Top 100 hotels are determined by scores from elite group of voters - CEOs and other senior executives from the U.S., Asia and Europe. Last year, these executives spent an average of 46 days traveling for business. Respondents were asked to rate hotels on rooms, service, food/dining, location and overall design.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 21 luxury hotels with a further ten under development in Riviera Maya-Mexico and Hainan Island-China (2007), Barcelona, Boston and Grand Cayman (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau and Marrakech (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, almost 9,000 rooms in 17 countries with 13 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and six in Europe and North Africa.
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Resorts Payoffs from Environmental Policies
Green rewards sink in
News Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
LANGKAWI – Resorts are realising the benefits of putting in place environmentally friendly practices, which not just result in reducing gross operating costs but also attract a growing number of environmentally conscious travellers.
Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi general manager, Mr Arnold Esmond, said initially costs went up by 11 per cent due to the cost of buying and putting in place eco-friendly initiatives, but year-to year operational costs have reduced by about six per cent.
“About 60 per cent of our eco-friendly ideas come from our guests.”
The 136-room hotel experiences an average room occupancy of 69 per cent annually.
It is ISO14001 certified and has a strong buy local policy.
It also supports the fishing villagers nearby to diversify their income by giving rent-free space within its large compound so they can set up food and clothing stalls.
ALiLA Manggis Bali general manager, Mr Jork Bosselaar, said based on his experience, environmental awareness was more prevalent among European tourists.
“Environmental consciousness will be the future of leisure travel. If you don’t take care of your destination, tourists will go elsewhere.
“They are also conscious of the impact their stay will make on the environment and the local economy.”
At ALiLA Manggis and its sister property, ALiLA Ubud Resort, guests are encouraged to experience Balinese culture through dance lessons and nature walks led by knowledgeable local guides.
Both properties also contribute directly to the community through the East Bali Poverty project, which provides financial aid to the villagers on a monthly basis.
The organic soaps used in the properties were made locally on a profit-sharing basis and helped to support 100 families, Mr Bosselaar said.
All ALiLA properties use Earthcheck to benchmark data, which is part of Green Globe 21. ALiLA Manggis financial controller, Ms Made Sadiana, said: “This enables us to monitor our waste, electric consumption, water consumption and so forth.
“While the property is unable to provide revenues generated due to its sustainable tourism policy, the fact that both ALiLA Ubud and ALiLA Manggis are market leaders in their respective areas and the fact that ALiLA Properties is expanding with another five properties being constructed show that the market is sensitive to both design aspects and the unique experiences we offer.”
Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa environment co-ordinator, Mr Arnfinn Oines, said its commitment to sustainable development extended to choosing suppliers who shared these same values.
“Seeing that we are serious in our commitment towards the environment, some suppliers have changed their habits in order to work with us.
“For example, they are using less plastic in their packaging,” he said.
The property is also fully certified under Green Globe 21 and Green Leaf tourism certification schemes.
On November 12 in Langkawi, Evason Phuket together with ALiLA Manggis and ALiLA Ubud received Malaysian-based conservation think tank, Wild Asia’s inaugural Responsible Tourism Award 2006 for the best luxury boutique resorts and hotels category. For the special category of The Best of Langkawi, the award went to Tanjung Rhu Resort.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge in Batang Ai, Sarawak, managed by tour operator, Borneo Adventures, won in the category of eco-venture lodges and homestays.
Wild Asia director and founder, Dr Reza Azmi, said the awards were in recognition of outstanding implementation of environmental management policies and social programmes that benefited both the host institution and the surrounding community.
Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi general manager, Mr Arnold Esmond, said initially costs went up by 11 per cent due to the cost of buying and putting in place eco-friendly initiatives, but year-to year operational costs have reduced by about six per cent.
“About 60 per cent of our eco-friendly ideas come from our guests.”
The 136-room hotel experiences an average room occupancy of 69 per cent annually.
It is ISO14001 certified and has a strong buy local policy.
It also supports the fishing villagers nearby to diversify their income by giving rent-free space within its large compound so they can set up food and clothing stalls.
ALiLA Manggis Bali general manager, Mr Jork Bosselaar, said based on his experience, environmental awareness was more prevalent among European tourists.
“Environmental consciousness will be the future of leisure travel. If you don’t take care of your destination, tourists will go elsewhere.
“They are also conscious of the impact their stay will make on the environment and the local economy.”
At ALiLA Manggis and its sister property, ALiLA Ubud Resort, guests are encouraged to experience Balinese culture through dance lessons and nature walks led by knowledgeable local guides.
Both properties also contribute directly to the community through the East Bali Poverty project, which provides financial aid to the villagers on a monthly basis.
The organic soaps used in the properties were made locally on a profit-sharing basis and helped to support 100 families, Mr Bosselaar said.
All ALiLA properties use Earthcheck to benchmark data, which is part of Green Globe 21. ALiLA Manggis financial controller, Ms Made Sadiana, said: “This enables us to monitor our waste, electric consumption, water consumption and so forth.
“While the property is unable to provide revenues generated due to its sustainable tourism policy, the fact that both ALiLA Ubud and ALiLA Manggis are market leaders in their respective areas and the fact that ALiLA Properties is expanding with another five properties being constructed show that the market is sensitive to both design aspects and the unique experiences we offer.”
Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa environment co-ordinator, Mr Arnfinn Oines, said its commitment to sustainable development extended to choosing suppliers who shared these same values.
“Seeing that we are serious in our commitment towards the environment, some suppliers have changed their habits in order to work with us.
“For example, they are using less plastic in their packaging,” he said.
The property is also fully certified under Green Globe 21 and Green Leaf tourism certification schemes.
On November 12 in Langkawi, Evason Phuket together with ALiLA Manggis and ALiLA Ubud received Malaysian-based conservation think tank, Wild Asia’s inaugural Responsible Tourism Award 2006 for the best luxury boutique resorts and hotels category. For the special category of The Best of Langkawi, the award went to Tanjung Rhu Resort.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge in Batang Ai, Sarawak, managed by tour operator, Borneo Adventures, won in the category of eco-venture lodges and homestays.
Wild Asia director and founder, Dr Reza Azmi, said the awards were in recognition of outstanding implementation of environmental management policies and social programmes that benefited both the host institution and the surrounding community.
News Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Putrajaya Sets Sights on Events Business
Putrajaya sets sights on events business
S Puvaneswary reporting for TTGmice, Kuala Lumpur (2006-11-22)
MORE aggressive marketing effort will be undertaken next year to push the administrative capital of Putrajaya as a business events and tourist destination.
According to Tourism Malaysia director-general, Mr Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, the national tourist office has plans to organise familiarisation programmes for inbound tour operators and tourist guides next year.
Talks with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau in the UK are also underway on co-operative measures to promote and channel meetings to Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), Malaysian tourism minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said. The outcome of the discussions are expected to be known only next year.
News Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
S Puvaneswary reporting for TTGmice, Kuala Lumpur (2006-11-22)
MORE aggressive marketing effort will be undertaken next year to push the administrative capital of Putrajaya as a business events and tourist destination.
According to Tourism Malaysia director-general, Mr Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, the national tourist office has plans to organise familiarisation programmes for inbound tour operators and tourist guides next year.
Talks with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau in the UK are also underway on co-operative measures to promote and channel meetings to Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), Malaysian tourism minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said. The outcome of the discussions are expected to be known only next year.
News Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Sarawak's New Convention and Exhibition Centre - 2008
Manager needed for convention centre The plenary hall will take 1,500 delegates, the banquet hall will take 2,000 and there will be 14 breakout rooms for smaller meetings. The largest pillar-free exhibition space will be 2,500m².
The establishment of the Sarawak Convention Bureau coincided with the announcement by the state government of Sarawak that it is building a RM300 million (US$81.6 million) convention and exhibition venue on the Kuching Isthmus, six kilometres from the state capital of Kuching.
The state government is looking for an operator to manage the centre.
In the interim, the bureau will take a leading role in marketing the venue.
When completed in late 2008, the Sarawak Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC) will have 36,500m² of gross floor space.
The venue will cover six hectares of riverside land.
The centre will form part of a new marina and shopping mall development, including the 39-storey Kuching Tower, which will be the tallest building in Sarawak.
The tower complex will house an office building and a 315-room hotel.
The main design element is the convention centre’s roof, which is in the shape of a ririg leaf, a plant native to Sarawak’s rainforest.
The plenary hall will take 1,500 delegates, the banquet hall will take 2,000 and there will be 14 breakout rooms for smaller meetings. The largest pillar-free exhibition space will be 2,500m².
There will be altogether 800 indoor and outdoor car park lots and loading docks are located at the rear.
In addition, there will be reception and pre-function assembly areas, a VIP lounge, administration offices, commercial kitchens capable of servicing 2,000 delegates and a public restaurant.
Services will include wireless Internet access in the public areas and simultaneous translation in four languages.
The bureau’s CEO, Ms Jill Henry, said: “We are confident the new centre, with its environmentally-friendly design and operational flexibility, will be instrumental in attracting the world’s meeting planners to experience Sarawak’s outstanding nature and culture.”
News Source : TTGMice
UAE's Etihad Flies to KL in January 2007
Etihad flies to KL in January 2007
Corinne Wan
KUALA LUMPUR - United Arab Emirates flag carrier, Etihad Airways, will start six times weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur from January 15, 2007.
Etihad CEO, James Hogan, said the service would be one of the airline's most popular routes as there would a high volume of traffic direct from the Middle East, and also from Europeans travelling to Malaysia, via Abu Dhabi, on business or vacation.
He added that KL was a highly popular destination for UAE and other Middle Eastern nationals due to the flexible visa requirements and the availability of advanced medical facilities and treatment.
News Source : TravelWeekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Corinne Wan
KUALA LUMPUR - United Arab Emirates flag carrier, Etihad Airways, will start six times weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur from January 15, 2007.
Etihad CEO, James Hogan, said the service would be one of the airline's most popular routes as there would a high volume of traffic direct from the Middle East, and also from Europeans travelling to Malaysia, via Abu Dhabi, on business or vacation.
He added that KL was a highly popular destination for UAE and other Middle Eastern nationals due to the flexible visa requirements and the availability of advanced medical facilities and treatment.
News Source : TravelWeekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Charged by Hotel for Minibar Items
Charged by hotel for unused items
-by DAWN CHAN, NAJIAH NAJIB and NURFAINIE IRDINA GANI -
KHAIRANI, of Bandar Sri Damansara, is annoyed that a hotel in Penang had charged her credit card for minibar items she didn’t take. She made an advance payment of RM550 when she booked a room at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel for the first two days of Hari Raya.
When she checked in on Oct 24, the front office staff asked for her credit card for a pre-authorised sale.
“The hotel didn’t mention about any additional charges when I checked out on Oct 26,she says.
KHAIRANI says on Oct 31, she discovered via on-line that her credit card was charged RM74.75 on Oct 27 for six canned drinks taken from her room’s minibar, four of which were alcoholic.
“When I called the hotel for clarification, the front office manager insisted that I had taken the items. I insisted I never took the drinks.“ This is outrageous. I’m a Muslim. Is he suggesting that I consume alcohol? asks KHAIRANI.
EVERGREEN Laurel Hotel executive assistant manager Anthony Ang apologises to the complainant for the misunderstanding. He says the hotel will lift the charges from her credit card. Ang says the complainant has been informed and the matter has been resolved .
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
-by DAWN CHAN, NAJIAH NAJIB and NURFAINIE IRDINA GANI -
KHAIRANI, of Bandar Sri Damansara, is annoyed that a hotel in Penang had charged her credit card for minibar items she didn’t take. She made an advance payment of RM550 when she booked a room at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel for the first two days of Hari Raya.
When she checked in on Oct 24, the front office staff asked for her credit card for a pre-authorised sale.
“The hotel didn’t mention about any additional charges when I checked out on Oct 26,she says.
KHAIRANI says on Oct 31, she discovered via on-line that her credit card was charged RM74.75 on Oct 27 for six canned drinks taken from her room’s minibar, four of which were alcoholic.
“When I called the hotel for clarification, the front office manager insisted that I had taken the items. I insisted I never took the drinks.“ This is outrageous. I’m a Muslim. Is he suggesting that I consume alcohol? asks KHAIRANI.
EVERGREEN Laurel Hotel executive assistant manager Anthony Ang apologises to the complainant for the misunderstanding. He says the hotel will lift the charges from her credit card. Ang says the complainant has been informed and the matter has been resolved .
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Hyatt's BlackBerry Balm
"BlackBerry Thumb" sparks new form of hand massage
(Reuters) - Sore thumbs after spending hours on a hand-held e-mail device? Sounds like a case of "BlackBerry Thumb" -- but help is at hand.
Corporate spa director Kyra Johnson said guests began asking masseurs to spend more time on their hands and arms because of the growing popularity of PDA (personal digital assistant) devices like BlackBerrys and Treos.
The 30-minute massage, that costs about $30, begins with heat treatment and uses a "BlackBerry Balm." It "focuses on counteracting tension on various hand and arm muscles, specifically in the thumbs and overworked wrists," according to a Hyatt statement.
The American Physical Therapy Association recently recognized BlackBerry Thumb as an official work place malady -- a stress-related injury due to over-use of any PDA or smartphone.
Ontario-based Research IN Motion Ltd's BlackBerry became a techological must-have in the late 1990s as a tool that delivers e-mail to users on the move. It is jokingly called a "CrackBerry" by many users.
Professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics specialist at Cornell University in New York state, said the condition is caused by "highly repetitive, forceful thumb movements with the thumbs held back from the palms."
The symptoms are pain in the thumb and region around the base of the thumb and hand. Treatment typically consists of resting or strapping the thumb, anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections and, as a last resort, surgery.
To read complete article, Click Here
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
(Reuters) - Sore thumbs after spending hours on a hand-held e-mail device? Sounds like a case of "BlackBerry Thumb" -- but help is at hand.
The Hyatt hotel chain found so many of their business travelers were
complaining of hand and arm discomfort that they have introduced a special "BlackBerry Balm" hand massage at most of their North American spas.
Corporate spa director Kyra Johnson said guests began asking masseurs to spend more time on their hands and arms because of the growing popularity of PDA (personal digital assistant) devices like BlackBerrys and Treos.
The 30-minute massage, that costs about $30, begins with heat treatment and uses a "BlackBerry Balm." It "focuses on counteracting tension on various hand and arm muscles, specifically in the thumbs and overworked wrists," according to a Hyatt statement.
The American Physical Therapy Association recently recognized BlackBerry Thumb as an official work place malady -- a stress-related injury due to over-use of any PDA or smartphone.
Ontario-based Research IN Motion Ltd's BlackBerry became a techological must-have in the late 1990s as a tool that delivers e-mail to users on the move. It is jokingly called a "CrackBerry" by many users.
Professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics specialist at Cornell University in New York state, said the condition is caused by "highly repetitive, forceful thumb movements with the thumbs held back from the palms."
The symptoms are pain in the thumb and region around the base of the thumb and hand. Treatment typically consists of resting or strapping the thumb, anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections and, as a last resort, surgery.
To read complete article, Click Here
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
1.45 Million Tourist Arrivals to Malaysia in July
1.45 Million Tourist Arrivals to Malaysia in July
Tourist arrivals to Malaysia numbered 1,450,319 for the month of July 2006, a 10.1% increase from last year’s July figure of 1,317,276.
This continues the positive trend of registering more than one million visitors per month.
Cumulative tourist arrival figures (from January until July 2006) stand at 10,014,540, a 5.6% increase from last year’s figure of 9,485,074 for the same period.
Comparison of tourist arrivals to Malaysia (July 2005 and 2006)
Tourist Arrivals
July 2005 1,317,276
July 2006 1,450,319
% change +10.1%
Comparison of tourist arrivals to Malaysia (Jan – July 2005 and 2006)
Tourist Arrivals
January - July 2005 9,485,074
January – July 2006 10,014,540
% change +5.6%
During the month of July 2006, Brunei performed the best with a sharp growth of 181.8%.
Meanwhile, double-digit growth was recorded for arrivals from Russia (78.5%), South Africa (42.1%), Indonesia (31.9%), Canada (29.0%), West Asia (25.3%), Italy (23.0%), France (20.4%), USA (20.1%), Scandinavia (16.5%), India (16.2%), Germany (13.2%).
The top ten tourist generating markets until July 2006 were Singapore (5,509,191), Thailand (1,191,733), Indonesia (694,639), Brunei (372,921), China (208,474), Japan (193,463), Australia (161,999), India (160,523) the United Kingdom (147,291) and South Korea (104,670).
Source : TourismMalaysia
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Tourist arrivals to Malaysia numbered 1,450,319 for the month of July 2006, a 10.1% increase from last year’s July figure of 1,317,276.
This continues the positive trend of registering more than one million visitors per month.
Cumulative tourist arrival figures (from January until July 2006) stand at 10,014,540, a 5.6% increase from last year’s figure of 9,485,074 for the same period.
Comparison of tourist arrivals to Malaysia (July 2005 and 2006)
Tourist Arrivals
July 2005 1,317,276
July 2006 1,450,319
% change +10.1%
Comparison of tourist arrivals to Malaysia (Jan – July 2005 and 2006)
Tourist Arrivals
January - July 2005 9,485,074
January – July 2006 10,014,540
% change +5.6%
During the month of July 2006, Brunei performed the best with a sharp growth of 181.8%.
Meanwhile, double-digit growth was recorded for arrivals from Russia (78.5%), South Africa (42.1%), Indonesia (31.9%), Canada (29.0%), West Asia (25.3%), Italy (23.0%), France (20.4%), USA (20.1%), Scandinavia (16.5%), India (16.2%), Germany (13.2%).
The top ten tourist generating markets until July 2006 were Singapore (5,509,191), Thailand (1,191,733), Indonesia (694,639), Brunei (372,921), China (208,474), Japan (193,463), Australia (161,999), India (160,523) the United Kingdom (147,291) and South Korea (104,670).
Source : TourismMalaysia
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Stopping Touts at KLIA
FOR many travel agents operating at the arrival hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it would be no surprise to them if tourists arriving during the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 are welcomed by touts.They feel that the number of touts operating there has increased and now outnumber the legitimate travel operators.
Annuar and Mohd Zaid going through a police report on the touts at KLIAFleet Holidays Sdn Bhd operations manager Mohd Zaid Yahya said on Nov 8, his guests, a group of six from New Zealand, arrived on a transit flight about 9pm.
“Before they could reach the paging counter at the arrival hall, they were intercepted by a tout,” he said.Mohd Zaid said the guests had valid vouchers for transport from the airport to the hotel and back, as well as hotel vouchers issued by the bona-fide travel agency.
“The tout had escorted them downstairs where two men were waiting for them. The touts told the guests that their bus had broken down and pretended to call the hotel.
“They (the touts) then informed the guests that they would send them to the hotel for US$250 (RM909).
“They then lodged a report at the KLIA police station the next day before their departure,” said Mohd Zaid, adding that the guests had given the van’s registration number to the police.“We are waiting for the guests’ agent to write to us before proceeding.
We had also received complaints from travel agents abroad on the issue of touts at our airport,” he said.Just a day earlier, one of the company’s employees was arrested by four auxiliary policemen for waiting for their guests at the paging board about 2pm.
“My staff, C. Pathmanathan, 26, was in uniform and it is normal for travel agents to wait for their customers there,” said Mohd Zaid.He claimed the auxiliary police told Pathmanathan that he had to page at their counter which is further away.
“There were many touts waiting for their victims at the spot but the police did not take any action against them. My staff, who was just doing his job, was rudely interrupted.
“When Pathmanathan tried to explain that it was impossible to page from the counter, the policemen said he would be handcuffed if he continues.”
When they saw Pathmanathan still waiting at the paging board, the police arrested him and took him to the KLIA police station.He was later taken to Sepang police headquarters.
“This is not the only time we’ve experienced this sort of trouble. Despite being in uniform, they prevent us from doing our job. However, the touts are not bothered at all,” claimed Annuar.He said that there had also been instances when the touts stole their customers.
On March 6, the amended Road Transport Act 1987 was enforced, whereby under Section 110A of the Act, those convicted face fines up to RM50,000, or jail up to five years, or both. Previously, those caught were released with a slap on the wrist. The Act also empowers the Road Transport Department, police and airport security to detain people for touting. Officials from Malaysia Airports Bhd could not be reached for comments.
News Source : MalayMail
(Response to the above allegation)
PAGING SYSTEM AT AIRPORTS - MAHB gets tough
-by SUSHMA VEERA -
THE paging system for travel agents, hotel employees and other representatives at airports will be reorganised. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) security and safety senior general manager Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Ismail said at present the situation at the KLIA arrival hall is like a pasar malam, with agents shouting and yelling for attention.
“They are not supposed to be like that.They are only allowed to wait there quietly while holding placards,” he said.
“But first, we are trying to get all travel agents to register with us for easy monitoring.”
He said MAHB will also be looking into streamlining the limousine services to provide suffi cient taxis at all times as presently, passengers are made to wait a long time for taxis.
Kamaruddin was asked to comment on an issue raised by the operations manager of Fleet Holidays Sdn Bhd, a travel agency, who claimed his staff was arrested by auxiliary police for waiting for their guests at the paging board.Mohd Zaid Yahya had told The Malay Mail on Nov 7 that one of his staff was arrested by the auxiliary police.The policeman had insisted the travel agent wait for his guests at his counter. The 26-year-old travel agent had explained that it was difficult to do so, but was arrested by the policeman but later released.
He also complained how the touts had cheated their guests from New Zealand and charged them US$250 (RM909) for a ride to their hotel.Mohd Zaid had claimed the touts had lied to the guests that their bus had broken down.Since the guests had vouchers for transport and hotel stay, the touts told them to claim the money from the hotel.Kamaruddin promised to investigate the incident.But he said there had been cases where employees of the travel agency had acted as toutst.“One of them was arrested during a recent police raid, charged and sentenced to two months’ jail and fined RM6,000.” For that the company’s contract is being reviewed.
“Operations are conducted regularly by MAHB and the police to curb the presence of touts. The latest operations by the police was on Nov 15 where another tout was arrested,” he said.“At times, the victims refused to come forward and this made it difficult for us.”
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Annuar and Mohd Zaid going through a police report on the touts at KLIAFleet Holidays Sdn Bhd operations manager Mohd Zaid Yahya said on Nov 8, his guests, a group of six from New Zealand, arrived on a transit flight about 9pm.
“Before they could reach the paging counter at the arrival hall, they were intercepted by a tout,” he said.Mohd Zaid said the guests had valid vouchers for transport from the airport to the hotel and back, as well as hotel vouchers issued by the bona-fide travel agency.
“The tout had escorted them downstairs where two men were waiting for them. The touts told the guests that their bus had broken down and pretended to call the hotel.
“They (the touts) then informed the guests that they would send them to the hotel for US$250 (RM909).
They even issued a receipt and told the guests to claim the money from the
hotel.“However, when the guests tried to do so at the hotel, they were informed
that they had been cheated and despite their protests, no refund was given.
“They then lodged a report at the KLIA police station the next day before their departure,” said Mohd Zaid, adding that the guests had given the van’s registration number to the police.“We are waiting for the guests’ agent to write to us before proceeding.
We had also received complaints from travel agents abroad on the issue of touts at our airport,” he said.Just a day earlier, one of the company’s employees was arrested by four auxiliary policemen for waiting for their guests at the paging board about 2pm.
“My staff, C. Pathmanathan, 26, was in uniform and it is normal for travel agents to wait for their customers there,” said Mohd Zaid.He claimed the auxiliary police told Pathmanathan that he had to page at their counter which is further away.
“There were many touts waiting for their victims at the spot but the police did not take any action against them. My staff, who was just doing his job, was rudely interrupted.
“When Pathmanathan tried to explain that it was impossible to page from the counter, the policemen said he would be handcuffed if he continues.”
When they saw Pathmanathan still waiting at the paging board, the police arrested him and took him to the KLIA police station.He was later taken to Sepang police headquarters.
“At the station, we had to wait almost an hour before seeing the investigating
officer, only to be told that they had no grounds to charge our staff.”“Apart
from wasting our time, it also disrupted business. Guests who arrived that day
had to take taxis to the hotels,” said the company’s managing director, Annuar
Yusop.Annuar said the staff who had replaced Pathmanathan at the arrival hall
was also harassed by policemen.
“This is not the only time we’ve experienced this sort of trouble. Despite being in uniform, they prevent us from doing our job. However, the touts are not bothered at all,” claimed Annuar.He said that there had also been instances when the touts stole their customers.
“We have had meetings with the relevant agencies, including Malaysia Airports
Bhd, but nothing has changed. “Everyone is getting tired of it. Although the law
is there, we are wondering what is happening,” said Annuar, adding that the
touts operate with impunity.
On March 6, the amended Road Transport Act 1987 was enforced, whereby under Section 110A of the Act, those convicted face fines up to RM50,000, or jail up to five years, or both. Previously, those caught were released with a slap on the wrist. The Act also empowers the Road Transport Department, police and airport security to detain people for touting. Officials from Malaysia Airports Bhd could not be reached for comments.
News Source : MalayMail
(Response to the above allegation)
PAGING SYSTEM AT AIRPORTS - MAHB gets tough
-by SUSHMA VEERA -
THE paging system for travel agents, hotel employees and other representatives at airports will be reorganised. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) security and safety senior general manager Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Ismail said at present the situation at the KLIA arrival hall is like a pasar malam, with agents shouting and yelling for attention.
“They are not supposed to be like that.They are only allowed to wait there quietly while holding placards,” he said.
“But first, we are trying to get all travel agents to register with us for easy monitoring.”
He said MAHB will also be looking into streamlining the limousine services to provide suffi cient taxis at all times as presently, passengers are made to wait a long time for taxis.
Kamaruddin was asked to comment on an issue raised by the operations manager of Fleet Holidays Sdn Bhd, a travel agency, who claimed his staff was arrested by auxiliary police for waiting for their guests at the paging board.Mohd Zaid Yahya had told The Malay Mail on Nov 7 that one of his staff was arrested by the auxiliary police.The policeman had insisted the travel agent wait for his guests at his counter. The 26-year-old travel agent had explained that it was difficult to do so, but was arrested by the policeman but later released.
He also complained how the touts had cheated their guests from New Zealand and charged them US$250 (RM909) for a ride to their hotel.Mohd Zaid had claimed the touts had lied to the guests that their bus had broken down.Since the guests had vouchers for transport and hotel stay, the touts told them to claim the money from the hotel.Kamaruddin promised to investigate the incident.But he said there had been cases where employees of the travel agency had acted as toutst.“One of them was arrested during a recent police raid, charged and sentenced to two months’ jail and fined RM6,000.” For that the company’s contract is being reviewed.
“Operations are conducted regularly by MAHB and the police to curb the presence of touts. The latest operations by the police was on Nov 15 where another tout was arrested,” he said.“At times, the victims refused to come forward and this made it difficult for us.”
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
US Most Unfriendly Country
U.S. is most unfriendly country to visitors - survey
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rude immigration officials and visa delays keep millions of foreign visitors away from the United States, hurt the country's already battered image, and cost the U.S. billions of dollars in lost revenue, according to an advocacy group formed to push for a better system.
To drive home the point, the Discover America Partnership released the result of a global survey on Monday which showed that international travelers see the United States as the world's worst country in terms of getting a visa and, once you have it, making your way past rude immigration officials.
The survey, of 2,011 international travelers in 16 countries, was conducted by RT Strategies, a Virginia-based polling firm, for the Discover America Partnership, a group launched in September with multimillion-dollar backing from a range of companies that include the InterContinental Hotels Group, Anheuser Busch and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Cubans requesting refugee status in the U.S. stand outside the U.S. refugee office in Havana, March 6, 2006. Rude immigration officials and long delays in processing visas have turned the United States into the world's most unfriendly country for international travellers, according to a global survey released on Monday. (REUTERS/Claudia Daut)The survey showed that the United States was ranked "the worst" in terms of visas and immigration procedures by twice the percentage of travellers as the next destination regarded as unfriendly -- the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent.
More than half of the travelers surveyed said U.S. immigration officials were rude and two-thirds said they feared they would be detained on arriving in the United States for a simple mistake in their paperwork or for saying the wrong thing to an immigration official.
The survey was taken between Oct. 25 and Nov. 9 against the backdrop of growing concern in parts of the U.S. business community over a steady decline in the number of foreigners visiting the United States.
"Between 2000 and 2006, the number of overseas visitors, excluding those from Mexico and Canada, has declined by 17 percent," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, "and business travel in that period has dropped 10 percent."
Travel Industry Association statistics show that the U.S. share in world tourism declined from 7.4 percent in 2000 to 6 percent last year. A one-percentage point increase, according to the association, would mean 7.5 million additional arrivals, $12.3 billion in additional spending, 150,000 additional U.S. jobs, $3.3 billion in additional payroll and $2.1. billion in additional taxes.
With about 50 million visitors a year, the United States is the world's third most-popular destination, after Spain and France.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rude immigration officials and visa delays keep millions of foreign visitors away from the United States, hurt the country's already battered image, and cost the U.S. billions of dollars in lost revenue, according to an advocacy group formed to push for a better system.
To drive home the point, the Discover America Partnership released the result of a global survey on Monday which showed that international travelers see the United States as the world's worst country in terms of getting a visa and, once you have it, making your way past rude immigration officials.
The survey, of 2,011 international travelers in 16 countries, was conducted by RT Strategies, a Virginia-based polling firm, for the Discover America Partnership, a group launched in September with multimillion-dollar backing from a range of companies that include the InterContinental Hotels Group, Anheuser Busch and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Cubans requesting refugee status in the U.S. stand outside the U.S. refugee office in Havana, March 6, 2006. Rude immigration officials and long delays in processing visas have turned the United States into the world's most unfriendly country for international travellers, according to a global survey released on Monday. (REUTERS/Claudia Daut)The survey showed that the United States was ranked "the worst" in terms of visas and immigration procedures by twice the percentage of travellers as the next destination regarded as unfriendly -- the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent.
More than half of the travelers surveyed said U.S. immigration officials were rude and two-thirds said they feared they would be detained on arriving in the United States for a simple mistake in their paperwork or for saying the wrong thing to an immigration official.
The survey was taken between Oct. 25 and Nov. 9 against the backdrop of growing concern in parts of the U.S. business community over a steady decline in the number of foreigners visiting the United States.
"Between 2000 and 2006, the number of overseas visitors, excluding those from Mexico and Canada, has declined by 17 percent," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, "and business travel in that period has dropped 10 percent."
Travel Industry Association statistics show that the U.S. share in world tourism declined from 7.4 percent in 2000 to 6 percent last year. A one-percentage point increase, according to the association, would mean 7.5 million additional arrivals, $12.3 billion in additional spending, 150,000 additional U.S. jobs, $3.3 billion in additional payroll and $2.1. billion in additional taxes.
With about 50 million visitors a year, the United States is the world's third most-popular destination, after Spain and France.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Sunday, November 19, 2006
RM90mil budget to boost tourism in Perak
RM90mil budget to boost tourism in Perak
IPOH: Perak is planning to spend RM90 million over the next five years to boost its tourism industry.
Of the amount, RM74 million will come from an allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, while the State Government will contribute the rest.
"Among the projects are a 80-bed hostel in Bukit Larut which will cost about RM2 million," said Perak Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Radzi Manan after hosting a dinner for media representatives in Genting Highlands yesterday.
Bukit Larut in Taiping, said Radzi, is an attractive highland destination but it lacks accommodation.
The council will also hold a tourist fair and workshop for travel agents in Kunming, China from Nov 29 to Dec 3.
"We want to promote Perak in the largest tourist market in China," he said. The Kunming fair comes after the successful Perak Fair, which included a health tourism promotion in Medan, Indonesia early this year.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
IPOH: Perak is planning to spend RM90 million over the next five years to boost its tourism industry.
Of the amount, RM74 million will come from an allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, while the State Government will contribute the rest.
"Among the projects are a 80-bed hostel in Bukit Larut which will cost about RM2 million," said Perak Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Radzi Manan after hosting a dinner for media representatives in Genting Highlands yesterday.
Bukit Larut in Taiping, said Radzi, is an attractive highland destination but it lacks accommodation.
The council will also hold a tourist fair and workshop for travel agents in Kunming, China from Nov 29 to Dec 3.
"We want to promote Perak in the largest tourist market in China," he said. The Kunming fair comes after the successful Perak Fair, which included a health tourism promotion in Medan, Indonesia early this year.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
It all Makes Scents to Hotels
It all makes scents to retailers and hotel chains
by Jocelyne Zablit
WASHINGTON: From the soothing aroma of mum’s apple pie to the reek of vomit or dinosaur dung, US marketers have sniffed out a new way to push their wares – fragrance.
Real estate agents are using it to sell homes, retailers are using it to entice customers, and the US military is using it for war games.
“Any place that really cares about a customer’s experience is looking into this,” said David Van Epps, chief executive officer of ScentAir, one of several firms which design aromas for retail settings or special events.
“Of all the things that influence your mood and emotion and memory, fragrance is the powerhouse, more so than any of our other senses.”
His company’s clients include Sony, the Starwood Hotels chain that owns Westin and Sheraton hotels, Bloomingdale’s department store, museums and US military contractors.
Sony sought out ScentAir last year for an aroma to woo female shoppers who may shy away from spending too much time at its electronics stores.
“We worked with them for six months and came up with a scent that has notes of mandarin origin, vanilla and cedar,” Van Epps said.
“It all blends together to create a very harmonious fragrance.”
Sony now spritzes the scent at its stores nationwide and even in its shopping bags in the hope that customers will begin identifying the smell with the brand.
Van Epps said his company had so far catalogued nearly 1,500 aromas, including “dinosaur breath and dinosaur dung”, which were created for a museum exhibit, Vomit, which was used by a theme park for a Halloween event, and “open sewers”, which is used in combat training to desensitise soldiers who may face unpleasant situations.
ScentAir has also worked with the military to create the smell of airplane fuel, burning electrical wires and gunpowder for simulation training.
Real estate companies and home builders seek out soothing and welcoming scents such as vanilla, apple pie or chocolate chip cookies to create a homey atmosphere for prospective buyers.
“It’s all about creating an experience that particular customers will remember,” Van Epps said. – AFP
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
by Jocelyne Zablit
WASHINGTON: From the soothing aroma of mum’s apple pie to the reek of vomit or dinosaur dung, US marketers have sniffed out a new way to push their wares – fragrance.
Real estate agents are using it to sell homes, retailers are using it to entice customers, and the US military is using it for war games.
“Any place that really cares about a customer’s experience is looking into this,” said David Van Epps, chief executive officer of ScentAir, one of several firms which design aromas for retail settings or special events.
“Of all the things that influence your mood and emotion and memory, fragrance is the powerhouse, more so than any of our other senses.”
His company’s clients include Sony, the Starwood Hotels chain that owns Westin and Sheraton hotels, Bloomingdale’s department store, museums and US military contractors.
Sony sought out ScentAir last year for an aroma to woo female shoppers who may shy away from spending too much time at its electronics stores.
“We worked with them for six months and came up with a scent that has notes of mandarin origin, vanilla and cedar,” Van Epps said.
“It all blends together to create a very harmonious fragrance.”
Sony now spritzes the scent at its stores nationwide and even in its shopping bags in the hope that customers will begin identifying the smell with the brand.
Van Epps said his company had so far catalogued nearly 1,500 aromas, including “dinosaur breath and dinosaur dung”, which were created for a museum exhibit, Vomit, which was used by a theme park for a Halloween event, and “open sewers”, which is used in combat training to desensitise soldiers who may face unpleasant situations.
ScentAir has also worked with the military to create the smell of airplane fuel, burning electrical wires and gunpowder for simulation training.
Real estate companies and home builders seek out soothing and welcoming scents such as vanilla, apple pie or chocolate chip cookies to create a homey atmosphere for prospective buyers.
“It’s all about creating an experience that particular customers will remember,” Van Epps said. – AFP
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Saturday, November 18, 2006
What's Hip in Hotel
What's hip in hotel staysArty hotel rooms offering the unconventional in terms of decor are catching on in Singapore. SUZANNA PILLAY writes.FORGET bland hotel rooms that just offer the basics. When it comes to the avant-garde, Surprising Singapore lives up to its tagline and re-invents the hotel stay experience.
A growing number of hotels on the island are geared towards attracting a new niche market: that of the artistic traveller who appreciates living in a creative, imaginative environment that offers a unique stay.
Working along the lines of the unique architecture of their individual buildings, The Gallery Hotel, Hotel 1929 and the New Majestic Hotel and others have created living spaces that highlight artistic expression through design and decor.
Enjoying the distinction of being called Singapore’s very first hip art design hotel, the 10-storey Gallery Hotel at Robertson Quay is a vision of post-modern architecture and colourful rooms by the Singapore River.
First completed in 2000, it recently underwent a rebranding last year and prefers to describe itself as a hip hotel with an arts-centric theme.
“We do not consider ourselves strictly as a boutique hotel because we are too big at 233 rooms. However, we did create a new category of rooms which provide our guests with a boutique hotel experience,” said Jacqueline Lim, public relations consultant for The Gallery.
These rooms are an addition to the Gallery’s existing range of room categories which are popular for their design.
Known as the CYX rooms and suites, Jacqueline explained that each of these new boutique rooms offered a unique art experience and were conceived during the Creative Youth Exchange @ Gallery Hotel competition that the hotel co-organised with the Creative Industries Singapore in November 2005.
Themed “Five walls: Defying Definitions”, the competition attracted 150 entries from across Southeast Asia, including Australia. Eventually 16 shortlisted entries were invited to bring their ideas to life using the Gallery Hotel’s rooms and suites as their three-dimensional canvas.
The results? Simply amazing ideas that feature room backdrops incorporating optical illusions, cartoons, murals and colourful three-dimensional yarn designs.
As Jacqueline puts it, “Each room offers guests a different experience and tells its own story. Guests can pick the experience they would like to enjoy.”
Echoing this different room-different look theme via artwork is the 30-room New Majestic in Bukit Pasoh Road.
Located in Chinatown, the New Majestic is a renovated conservation shophouse with unique architectural qualities which ultimately influenced the design of the rooms on offer.
In collaboration with Asian Art Options, the hotel engaged the services of nine of Singapore’s young artists to create site-specific artwork that would complement the unique rooms of an old Singapore shophouse, said Sri Wahidah Masturi, sales executive for the New Majestic and its sister property, Hotel 1929, also located in Chinatown.
“Each room has its own eclectic theme and inspiration ranging from pop art and giant goldfish to anamorphic messages represented in wall murals, to complement the Majestic room experience.”
Aside from murals and furniture, the rooms also differ in terms of customised baths.
Apart from rooms with conventional bathrooms, other rooms appeal to the more hedonistic guest with their outdoor baths or glass-encased bathtub featured in the middle of the hotel’s “aquarium rooms”.
At Hotel 1929 too, no two rooms are alike either.
Its appeal lies in a hip mix of the traditional and retro, which reflects the hotel decor, and the artsy, collector chairs of owner Loh Lik Peng, which makes the 32-room hotel “a chair museum” of sorts.
Highlights include a Joseph Hoffman Kubus sofa designed in 1910, vintage Eames Chairs dating from 1946, Arne Jacobsen Swan and Egg chairs, vintage Pierre Paulin’s Tulip chairs and the Verner Panton Chair, among others.
Sri Wahidah said that while both of Loh’s hotels feature a collection of chairs in their lobby area, what is unique about Hotel 1929 is that even each individual room features one of these unique chairs as part of its decor.
Each chair has a history and as a novelty, guests can check out what type is in their room from a poster in the hotel’s lobby.
Although there are no individual room themes, guests will appreciate the subtle differences reflected in the choice of furnishing, beds and vintage Finnish Marimekko fabrics used as bedcovers.
Design aficionados will remember that Marimekko’s colourful printed fabrics were a hit in the fashion world in the 1960s and 1970s.Part of the Marimekko success formula was to employ artists to showcase their graphic designs to textiles.
Even Jacqueline Kennedy was a fan, donning Marimekko-made togs during the 1960 US presidential campaign.
Those with a passion for the unusual will also appreciate the irregular room sizes which was the result of the reconfiguration of five conservation shophouses which make up Hotel 1929.
As a result, although in some rooms the bed seems to take over the entire space, they are taller than normal to house a safe, and storage drawers for guests.
Additionally, each of the hotel’s rooms are equipped with a flat screen TV, alarm clock radio and CD player to ensure that guests have a pleasurable stay.
Uber-hip and chic, both the New Majestic and Hotel 1929 are a big draw with the young and trendy in Singapore for marrying tradition with art successfully.
News Source : NST
Qatar Airways Expands KL-Doha route
Qatar Airways increases seat capacity for KL-Doha route
KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar Airways is expanding seat capacity by 27% for its Kuala Lumpur-Doha route to cater to the rising demand for business and leisure travel between Malaysia and the Middle Eastern countries.
The increase in seat capacity was in line with the increased market demand from Malaysia, area manager for Malaysia, Alan Chua, said in a statement.
“The number of Malaysian business travellers going to the Middle East has been growing steadily over the past few years, fuelled by stronger trade ties between Malaysia and the Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Chua said Doha-Kuala Lumpur was one of the most popular routes for Qatar Airways' Far East region, where the airline currently served 12 destinations.
Its flights in and out of Malaysia had been successful, offering excellent connections over its hub in Doha to destinations across the Middle East, he added.
According to Tourism Malaysia's statistics, more than 147,600 tourists from the Middle East visited Malaysia in 2005, an increase of 17% over the previous year.
“With Visit Malaysia Year 2007 around the corner, we foresee an increase in tourist arrivals from the Middle East.
“Qatar Airways, with our regular flights frequency, is in strong position to meet the demands of our travellers to Malaysia,” Chua said.
Currently, Qatar Airways flies seven times a week between Kuala Lumpur and Doha, the capital state of Qatar. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar Airways is expanding seat capacity by 27% for its Kuala Lumpur-Doha route to cater to the rising demand for business and leisure travel between Malaysia and the Middle Eastern countries.
The increase in seat capacity was in line with the increased market demand from Malaysia, area manager for Malaysia, Alan Chua, said in a statement.
“The number of Malaysian business travellers going to the Middle East has been growing steadily over the past few years, fuelled by stronger trade ties between Malaysia and the Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Chua said Doha-Kuala Lumpur was one of the most popular routes for Qatar Airways' Far East region, where the airline currently served 12 destinations.
Its flights in and out of Malaysia had been successful, offering excellent connections over its hub in Doha to destinations across the Middle East, he added.
According to Tourism Malaysia's statistics, more than 147,600 tourists from the Middle East visited Malaysia in 2005, an increase of 17% over the previous year.
“With Visit Malaysia Year 2007 around the corner, we foresee an increase in tourist arrivals from the Middle East.
“Qatar Airways, with our regular flights frequency, is in strong position to meet the demands of our travellers to Malaysia,” Chua said.
Currently, Qatar Airways flies seven times a week between Kuala Lumpur and Doha, the capital state of Qatar. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Delicious hairy crabs
Delicious hairy crabs BY ALICE CHING
ASKING Chinese gourmands what is the big fuss about hairy crabs is like asking the French why they go ga-ga over foie gras. Come late autumn, no food connoisseurs in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or even Malaysia will forgo the chance of savouring these distinctive grey-green crabs with furry claws.
This year’s hairy crab season has even clawed its way into international news headlines, triggered by a furore in Taiwan where a batch of hairy crabs was allegedly detected with nitrofuran, a cancer-causing agent. Consequently, this prompted a Chinese crab exporter to offer one million yuan (about RM469,000) to Taiwanese health inspectors who find traces of carcinogen in other hairy crab consignments as a measure to restore consumers’ confidence.
Steamed hairy crabsBack at the famed Yangcheng Lake in the Chinese eastern province of Jiangsu – home of the hairy crabs – counterfeit crabs appeared on the market despite numerous identification measures undertaken by the Yangcheng Lake Crab Farmers Association. In Hong Kong, a thief was nabbed by local police after he tried unsuccessfully to pinch 70 of these gourmet crabs worth a princely US$1,280 (RM4,736) from a restaurant.
These incidents only served to elevate the snob appeal of these pricey creatures. According to The Asian Wall Street Journal food writer, Stan Sesser, some Hong Kongers have even gone to the extent of eating hairy crabs “tycoon-style” – consuming only the orange-hued roe without eating the rest of the crab. Which is truly a waste considering how sweet and sublime the meat is, especially when it is skillfully prepared by experts like Shang Palace’s executive Chinese chef, Leung Sing Cheung.
Local hairy crab lovers can indulge in a splendid six-course menu (RM238++ per person), featuring this seasonal delicacy in the Shang Palace’s imperial setting. A warm, satisfying bowl of Braised Shark’s Fin with Hairy Crab Roe and Sea Urchin comprising thick strands of shark’s fin, rich roe, chunky crab meat and delicate sea urchin is the perfect dish to whet your appetite.
Deep-fried beancurd roll with minced meat and hairy crab meatDiners will find sinking their teeth into the piece de resistance – a whole hairy crab steamed the traditional way – a breeze at the Shang Palace. The service staff will cut the crabs up with surgical precision and present them to you, ready for consumption. What a luxury it is to simply scoop up the scrumptious roe from within the shell.
While the crab meat is exquisite on its own, its inherent sweetness is heightened when complemented by the black vinegar and minced ginger dip. Since the Chinese believe the consumption of hairy crabs has a cooling effect on the body, a warm cup of sweetened ginger tea is served to neutralise this effect.
The Deep-fried Beancurd Roll Stuffed with Minced Meat and Crab Meat stands out in nice contrast with the Stewed Dried Fish Maw with Hairy Crab Roe and Wolfberries. Wonderfully crisp on the outside, the beancurd roll yields a delectable filling inside.
The fish maw’s bland, spongy texture is the perfect foil to offset the flavourful crab roe and meat against the wolfberries’ subtle sweetness.
Fish maw with hairy crab meat and wolfberriesDelicious stewed noodles with shredded chicken, hairy crab meat and suet choy (a type of preserved vegetable) and glutinous balls stuffed with black sesame paste in sweetened ginger tea round off this menu.
The Hairy Crab promotion will run until Nov 30 so hurry for a taste of these highly sought-after crabs. W
SHANG PALACE Shangri-la Hotel 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel (6) 03-2074 3904
Business hours:
Monday-Saturday – Noon to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Sunday & public holidays – 10.30am to 2.30 pm
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
New Hotel in Johor by Plenitude
Plenitude to streamline sources of earnings
KUALA LUMPUR: Although the residential property sector should continue to contribute 60% to group earnings, Plenitude Bhd is looking to streamline its sources of revenue to include more recurring income-generating entities.
“Even for our Changkat View Condominium here, while we have launched three of four blocks up to April, with 85%, 75% and 50% sales respectively, we are considering turning the fourth block into serviced apartments,” she told a media conference after the group’s AGM yesterday.
Plenitude executive chairman Elsie Chua said the group’s land bank of 1,900 acres, with a gross development value of RM4.1bil, should put the company in good stead for the next 10-15 years.
Chua said the property developer was still looking to acquire more land, preferably in the Klang Valley or Penang. While also not ruling out land acquisition overseas, she said Plenitude was, however, not in any negotiation at the moment.
“We do not deny the local property sector is experiencing a slight slowdown, but we are confident our strategic land bank would produce better financial results for us,” she said, adding that Plenitude would continue with its strategy of building a mixture of luxury and affordable homes.
Having also acquired 10.6 acres of prime freehold land in Batu Ferringhi in Penang, Chua said the group could decide to build niche residential property there.
Khoo also said Plenitude was not considering going into the real estate investment trust market at present.
For the year ended June 30, Plentitude's revenue rose 14.5% year-on-year to RM221.1mil, while net profit increased 6.9% to RM52.4mil. Net earnings and net assets per share were at 38.8 sen and RM3.51 respectively.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR: Although the residential property sector should continue to contribute 60% to group earnings, Plenitude Bhd is looking to streamline its sources of revenue to include more recurring income-generating entities.
Acting chief operating officer Khoo Yek San said it was within the group’s plansShe said such endeavours would enable the company to delve deeper into recurring income-generating properties.
to build a boutique hotel in Taman Desa Tebrau in Johor, an area that Plenitude
also had other developments, in the next five to seven years.
“Even for our Changkat View Condominium here, while we have launched three of four blocks up to April, with 85%, 75% and 50% sales respectively, we are considering turning the fourth block into serviced apartments,” she told a media conference after the group’s AGM yesterday.
Plenitude executive chairman Elsie Chua said the group’s land bank of 1,900 acres, with a gross development value of RM4.1bil, should put the company in good stead for the next 10-15 years.
Chua said the property developer was still looking to acquire more land, preferably in the Klang Valley or Penang. While also not ruling out land acquisition overseas, she said Plenitude was, however, not in any negotiation at the moment.
“We do not deny the local property sector is experiencing a slight slowdown, but we are confident our strategic land bank would produce better financial results for us,” she said, adding that Plenitude would continue with its strategy of building a mixture of luxury and affordable homes.
Having also acquired 10.6 acres of prime freehold land in Batu Ferringhi in Penang, Chua said the group could decide to build niche residential property there.
Khoo also said Plenitude was not considering going into the real estate investment trust market at present.
For the year ended June 30, Plentitude's revenue rose 14.5% year-on-year to RM221.1mil, while net profit increased 6.9% to RM52.4mil. Net earnings and net assets per share were at 38.8 sen and RM3.51 respectively.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Friday, November 17, 2006
Kuala Lumpur International Buskers’ Festival 2 - 10 Dec
Don't Get Caught off Guard When Buskers Invade the Streets this December
Kuala Lumpur, 13th November 2006 - Get ready for a buskers’ invasion in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. For the first time, tourists and locals in Malaysia will be able to experience hilarious and fascinating buskers prowling the streets providing free entertainment for all. And these are not just musicians strumming guitars in the open but famous buskers like Peter Rabbit (USA) who has been busking since he was 4 and also starred in several Broadway hits, and Kromatik (Quebec) who has been performing for over 18 years throughout North America, Europe and Asia. These are just two of world- renowned buskers who will be performing at the Kuala Lumpur International Buskers’ Festival (KLIBF) 2006. A cast of over 20 performers will be arriving in Malaysia for the first ever buskers' festival and the latest addition to this stellar assembly includes Uco Show from Montreal and Ojarus from Japan. The Uco Show has already toured 4 continents, 20 countries and at least 50 cities, with the next stop being Kuala Lumpur. Ojarus, a team of extraordinary Japanese clowns laden with magic, mime and other artistic talents will add a colourful touch of Japan to the festival.
The organisers of the festival, have already confirmed 19 acts hailing from over 6 countries that include Australia, Canada, Mexico, USA, Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand, to thrill and amuse the public through the 9 days of the festival from 2nd – 10th December.
Busking is the art of street performing that has been in practice since antiquity. The international buskers attending this festival have been specially handpicked from a selection of renowned performers, to entertain and thrill audiences. All have carved a respectable and lucrative career busking in the streets. Some of these performers have left high paying jobs to perform in the streets simply for the love of entertainment and perfecting their art.
The festival will open with a Grand Buskers' Parade happening at the Dataran Merdeka on 2nd December. Following this, the buskers will perform at Central Market, KL Tower, Bintang Walk and One Utama from 5:30pm – 10:30pm daily. They can also be spotted at the Asian Heritage Row and Jalan P. Ramlee, adding laughter and mayhem to the infamous KL night life during the Buskers' Late Nite Madness, taking place on 8th and 9th December from 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am.
KLIBF 2006 is held in conjunction with the Malaysia Year End Sale 2006 and Visit Malaysia 2007. Tourism Malaysia hopes that the buskers will make shopping an even more enjoyable experience and that the festival will also be a curtain raiser to the Visit Malaysia 2007. It is slated to be a major annual festival and tourist attraction in Malaysia.
LINK : MalaysiaBuskers.com
Malaysia pushes for `Visit Malaysia 2007’ campaign
Malaysia pushes for `Visit Malaysia 2007’ campaign
(SPECIAL REPORT: CITM 2006)
By Natalie Chen
SHANGHAI - Counting on its good diplomatic ties with Mainland China, Malaysia is pressing ahead with its Malaysia Truly Asia 2007 campaign that kicks off on January 1. Datok Ir Donald Lim Siang Chai, deputy minister, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia said that 2007 would be a pivotal year for attracting the Chinese market, as it launches its campaign in a big way.
The NTO will be visiting 25 cities on a country-wide road show working in synergy with its offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The campaign is also in conjunction with `Malaysia Celebrating 50 years of Nationhood’, with a line –up of festive activities throughout the year that would attract visitors.
Lim said that its targets for the ambitious campaign are 600, 000 in 2007 and 420, 000 in 2006.
Since Malaysia and Mainland China would also be working on more air access between the two countries, new flights expected for launch would also help to boost the destination’s attraction.
More info on CITM (China International Travel Mart) - Here
News Source : Travel Weekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
(SPECIAL REPORT: CITM 2006)
By Natalie Chen
SHANGHAI - Counting on its good diplomatic ties with Mainland China, Malaysia is pressing ahead with its Malaysia Truly Asia 2007 campaign that kicks off on January 1. Datok Ir Donald Lim Siang Chai, deputy minister, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia said that 2007 would be a pivotal year for attracting the Chinese market, as it launches its campaign in a big way.
The NTO will be visiting 25 cities on a country-wide road show working in synergy with its offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The campaign is also in conjunction with `Malaysia Celebrating 50 years of Nationhood’, with a line –up of festive activities throughout the year that would attract visitors.
Lim said that its targets for the ambitious campaign are 600, 000 in 2007 and 420, 000 in 2006.
Since Malaysia and Mainland China would also be working on more air access between the two countries, new flights expected for launch would also help to boost the destination’s attraction.
More info on CITM (China International Travel Mart) - Here
News Source : Travel Weekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Langkawi Hoteliers Down in the Dumps
Langkawi hoteliers down in the dumps
S Puvaneswary, Langkawi (2006-11-16)
HOTEL and resort operators on the island of Langkawi are up in arms against the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish on the main roads and along the stretches of beach as this could turn away visitors and affect tourism on the island.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Kedah Chapter committee environmental taskforce contact representative, Mr Andrew Drummond, said tourists have said they would not return to Langkawi if nothing was done to clean up the area.
"Illegal dumping of rubbish is an issue here. It is especially bad when animals rip the plastic bags open. When there is a stretch of public holidays, the problem is made worse as there is no garbage collection," he said.
Mr Drummond added: "We had hoped to get a seat in Local Agenda 21 to influence decisions.
But since the launch early this year, things have fizzled. No meetings have been held.
"The Kedah chapter is now seeking to hold talks with the local municipality to see how member hotels and resorts can work with the authorities to keep the island clean.
Another concern is seepage of toxic waste from the dumping site at Kilim is seeping into the mangrove and killing plants.
News source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
S Puvaneswary, Langkawi (2006-11-16)
HOTEL and resort operators on the island of Langkawi are up in arms against the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish on the main roads and along the stretches of beach as this could turn away visitors and affect tourism on the island.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Kedah Chapter committee environmental taskforce contact representative, Mr Andrew Drummond, said tourists have said they would not return to Langkawi if nothing was done to clean up the area.
"Illegal dumping of rubbish is an issue here. It is especially bad when animals rip the plastic bags open. When there is a stretch of public holidays, the problem is made worse as there is no garbage collection," he said.
Mr Drummond added: "We had hoped to get a seat in Local Agenda 21 to influence decisions.
But since the launch early this year, things have fizzled. No meetings have been held.
"The Kedah chapter is now seeking to hold talks with the local municipality to see how member hotels and resorts can work with the authorities to keep the island clean.
Another concern is seepage of toxic waste from the dumping site at Kilim is seeping into the mangrove and killing plants.
News source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Tune Hotels to give tourism a boost
Tune Hotels to give tourism a boost
By C.S. TAN
PETALING JAYA: A gap in the range of tourism facilities will be filled when Tune Hotels.Com sets up a chain of no-frills hotels in the country and, later, at the rest of AirAsia Bhd’s destinations.
While Tune Hotels will develop some of the hotels, it will also franchise its brand and expertise to property owners from whom it has started to receive offers.
“We have about 10 hotels on the table now for us to do deals,” said Tune Hotels major shareholder Datuk Tony Fernandes, who is also a major shareholder of AirAsia.
Datuk Tony Fernandes“Once you’ve got the model right, you could be rolling it out like McDonald’s,” he told StarBiz yesterday.
The group’s first hotel, currently being refurbished, is located in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. It is scheduled to open in March next year.
Tune Hotels’ strategy is to locate its hotels in the centre of cities or on tourist belts of resorts, not miles away where land costs may be lower. The offers on Fernandes’ table include properties on well-located sites in cities and resorts.
“You’d be surprised how many property owners want to convert their office buildings into a hotel to get a higher yield,” he said.
The Tune Hotels will have same attributes – good location, no frills like gymnasiums or swimming pools and chic, clean rooms in a safe environment. Hence, tourists will know what to expect even if they are booked in a Tune Hotel in a town they’ve not visited before.
The hotels will also have the same rate structure as AirAsia, that is, starting from RM9.99 for certain off-peak periods. The average room rate will, however, be closer to RM60 a night.
Recalling the inspiration for the concept, Fernandes said he was in Singapore where he was to check into a budget hotel. “That’s our culture,” he said. But, budget hotels were fully booked, “and I ended up in the Ritz Carlton,” he added.
“So I was in this big room and I thought I could do exactly the same thing I did in AirAsia – take away the frills and pass the cost savings to the customer,” he said.
AirAsia has developed into the region’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC). It followed that the LCC Terminal in Sepang is “way, way ahead of (Singapore’s) Changi airport,” he added.
“A low-cost carrier is one part of the equation in the tourism sector. Budget hotels are another,” he added.
With a thriving LCC hub in Sepang, it would be a boon to the industry if passing tourists could be convinced to stay for two or three days. “Singapore has done that very effectively,” he said.
AirAsia is bringing travellers to its hub in Sepang from Bangkok and they are not just Thais but also tourists from Europe. Tune Hotels will also play a role in ensuring that there are ample, affordable rooms that meet their standards.
The next thing that was needed was open skies to Singapore where AirAsia could tap the tremendous connectivity there for international tourists, he added.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By C.S. TAN
PETALING JAYA: A gap in the range of tourism facilities will be filled when Tune Hotels.Com sets up a chain of no-frills hotels in the country and, later, at the rest of AirAsia Bhd’s destinations.
While Tune Hotels will develop some of the hotels, it will also franchise its brand and expertise to property owners from whom it has started to receive offers.
“We have about 10 hotels on the table now for us to do deals,” said Tune Hotels major shareholder Datuk Tony Fernandes, who is also a major shareholder of AirAsia.
Datuk Tony Fernandes“Once you’ve got the model right, you could be rolling it out like McDonald’s,” he told StarBiz yesterday.
The group’s first hotel, currently being refurbished, is located in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. It is scheduled to open in March next year.
Tune Hotels’ strategy is to locate its hotels in the centre of cities or on tourist belts of resorts, not miles away where land costs may be lower. The offers on Fernandes’ table include properties on well-located sites in cities and resorts.
“You’d be surprised how many property owners want to convert their office buildings into a hotel to get a higher yield,” he said.
The Tune Hotels will have same attributes – good location, no frills like gymnasiums or swimming pools and chic, clean rooms in a safe environment. Hence, tourists will know what to expect even if they are booked in a Tune Hotel in a town they’ve not visited before.
The hotels will also have the same rate structure as AirAsia, that is, starting from RM9.99 for certain off-peak periods. The average room rate will, however, be closer to RM60 a night.
Recalling the inspiration for the concept, Fernandes said he was in Singapore where he was to check into a budget hotel. “That’s our culture,” he said. But, budget hotels were fully booked, “and I ended up in the Ritz Carlton,” he added.
“So I was in this big room and I thought I could do exactly the same thing I did in AirAsia – take away the frills and pass the cost savings to the customer,” he said.
AirAsia has developed into the region’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC). It followed that the LCC Terminal in Sepang is “way, way ahead of (Singapore’s) Changi airport,” he added.
“A low-cost carrier is one part of the equation in the tourism sector. Budget hotels are another,” he added.
With a thriving LCC hub in Sepang, it would be a boon to the industry if passing tourists could be convinced to stay for two or three days. “Singapore has done that very effectively,” he said.
AirAsia is bringing travellers to its hub in Sepang from Bangkok and they are not just Thais but also tourists from Europe. Tune Hotels will also play a role in ensuring that there are ample, affordable rooms that meet their standards.
The next thing that was needed was open skies to Singapore where AirAsia could tap the tremendous connectivity there for international tourists, he added.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Impiana Push for Higher Occupancy
IMPIANA KLCC Hotel & Spa are hoping to boost their occupancy rate from 60 per cent to 80 per cent next year.
Its general manager, Mark Rummery, said although this year’s rates, which averages RM185 a room, was satisfactory, the four-star hotel is aiming to upgrade it to RM220 in 2007.
“The first quarter of this year was tough for us being a new hotel.
“But being close to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre really helps. Our occupancy would increase whenever there is a convention,” he said.
So what does Impiana KLCC have in store for Visit Malaysia Year 2007?
“We have yet to decide on a promotion for VMY 2007 but we will be assisting the Malaysian Tourism Board in fostering the industry,” said Rummery.
He said the hotel will be promoting an Indochina buffet during the Christmas and New Year season as compared to the local and Western delicacies offered by other hotels.
For jazz lovers, Impiana KLCC recently signed up a local trio, Eye2Eye Jazz Mix, who will be performing at Tonka Bean Cafe.Deli, the hotel’s 24-hour dining restaurant.
Rummery said the hotel’s pool and spa, which is under construction, will be completed with a Balinese theme by year-end.
Impiana KLCC is owned by Heritage Lane Sdn Bhd and run by Impiana Hotels & Resorts Management Sdn Bhd (IHRM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of KAB Group.
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Its general manager, Mark Rummery, said although this year’s rates, which averages RM185 a room, was satisfactory, the four-star hotel is aiming to upgrade it to RM220 in 2007.
“The first quarter of this year was tough for us being a new hotel.
“But being close to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre really helps. Our occupancy would increase whenever there is a convention,” he said.
So what does Impiana KLCC have in store for Visit Malaysia Year 2007?
“We have yet to decide on a promotion for VMY 2007 but we will be assisting the Malaysian Tourism Board in fostering the industry,” said Rummery.
He said the hotel will be promoting an Indochina buffet during the Christmas and New Year season as compared to the local and Western delicacies offered by other hotels.
For jazz lovers, Impiana KLCC recently signed up a local trio, Eye2Eye Jazz Mix, who will be performing at Tonka Bean Cafe.Deli, the hotel’s 24-hour dining restaurant.
Rummery said the hotel’s pool and spa, which is under construction, will be completed with a Balinese theme by year-end.
Impiana KLCC is owned by Heritage Lane Sdn Bhd and run by Impiana Hotels & Resorts Management Sdn Bhd (IHRM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of KAB Group.
News Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Swiss Gourmet Indulgence Promotion at Bistro Cascata
Swiss treat from visiting chef
Story and photos by GEETHA KRISHNAN
Visiting Swiss chef Peter Altenburger preparing rosti, a potato dish favoured by the Swiss.THE best part of Swiss chef Peter Altenburger’s job is that he gets a few months off to travel and serve as visiting chef at other hotels.
Altenburger is based at the Sorell Hotel in Griscon, Switzerland, but the five-star hotel is only open during summer and winter.
In his free time, the chef travels to Jeddah, Mexico and Milan to impart knowledge on Swiss cuisine.
The 27-year-old chef's latest stop is the Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa in Cyberjaya where the Swiss Gourmet Indulgence 2006 promotion is on at Bistro Cascata until Nov 19.
It offers a la carte dishes for dinner.
Aiding him in the kitchen throughout the promotion will be pastry-chef-in-the-making Sanne Einsering, 21, who works for a Michelin-star restaurant in the luxurious, seven-apartment Sorell Hotel back home in Zurich, Switzerland.
Einsering with Medley of Black and White Toblerone Chocolate Mousse with Marinated Berries.According to Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa F&B executive assistant manager Rudolf Steiger, Sorell Hotels are a well-known chain in Switzerland but the number of rooms or apartments on each property is limited.
Steiger, who also hails from Switzerland, said most Swiss dishes bear German, Italian or French influences while some delicacies are peculiar to a certain state.
“Residents in the southern part of Switzerland consume lots of rabbit because they are close to
the Italian border while those near the French border are known to consume sausages,” he said.
“Swiss cuisine has also evolved along the way. Traditionally, Zurich Sliced Veal is prepared using one-third of veal liver, kidney and tenderloin but there are variations now for health reasons,” added Steiger.
For the Swiss promotion, Altenburger has included Sliced Veal Zurich-style with Rosti Potatoes. Potatoes, the staple food of the Swiss, are also prepared as main courses.
“In Switzerland, the rosti for Sliced Veal Zurich-style is the main component and the veal is an accompaniment. The rosti can fill the entire plate but we’re only serving half portion for the promotion,” he said.
Carrot Muffin with Hazelnut Parfait.Altenburger also introduced Swiss Barley Soup from his hometown in Griscon. The soup came garnished with strips of air-dried beef.
For hot appetisers, there was a dish of Poached Tiger Prawns in a Potato Basket with Young Leek and Saffron Sauce.
The reins were then handed to Einsering, who handled the desserts.
There was Carrot Muffin, covered in a glaze enhanced with lemon juice and served with Hazelnut Parfait and Medley of Black and White Toblerone Chocolate Mousse with Marinated Berries.
While the promotion draws to an end on Nov 19, popular dishes will be retained in the bistro’s menu. A few dishes are also included in the daily lunch buffet line-up to offer a sampling of what is available for dinner throughout the promotion period.
BISTRO CASCATA Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya (Tel: 03-8312 7000). Business hours: Daily, lunch (noon to 2.30pm) & dinner (6.30pm-10.30pm). Closed on Mondays.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Story and photos by GEETHA KRISHNAN
Visiting Swiss chef Peter Altenburger preparing rosti, a potato dish favoured by the Swiss.THE best part of Swiss chef Peter Altenburger’s job is that he gets a few months off to travel and serve as visiting chef at other hotels.
Altenburger is based at the Sorell Hotel in Griscon, Switzerland, but the five-star hotel is only open during summer and winter.
In his free time, the chef travels to Jeddah, Mexico and Milan to impart knowledge on Swiss cuisine.
The 27-year-old chef's latest stop is the Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa in Cyberjaya where the Swiss Gourmet Indulgence 2006 promotion is on at Bistro Cascata until Nov 19.
It offers a la carte dishes for dinner.
Aiding him in the kitchen throughout the promotion will be pastry-chef-in-the-making Sanne Einsering, 21, who works for a Michelin-star restaurant in the luxurious, seven-apartment Sorell Hotel back home in Zurich, Switzerland.
Einsering with Medley of Black and White Toblerone Chocolate Mousse with Marinated Berries.According to Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa F&B executive assistant manager Rudolf Steiger, Sorell Hotels are a well-known chain in Switzerland but the number of rooms or apartments on each property is limited.
Steiger, who also hails from Switzerland, said most Swiss dishes bear German, Italian or French influences while some delicacies are peculiar to a certain state.
“Residents in the southern part of Switzerland consume lots of rabbit because they are close to
the Italian border while those near the French border are known to consume sausages,” he said.“Swiss cuisine has also evolved along the way. Traditionally, Zurich Sliced Veal is prepared using one-third of veal liver, kidney and tenderloin but there are variations now for health reasons,” added Steiger.
For the Swiss promotion, Altenburger has included Sliced Veal Zurich-style with Rosti Potatoes. Potatoes, the staple food of the Swiss, are also prepared as main courses.
“In Switzerland, the rosti for Sliced Veal Zurich-style is the main component and the veal is an accompaniment. The rosti can fill the entire plate but we’re only serving half portion for the promotion,” he said.
Carrot Muffin with Hazelnut Parfait.Altenburger also introduced Swiss Barley Soup from his hometown in Griscon. The soup came garnished with strips of air-dried beef.
For hot appetisers, there was a dish of Poached Tiger Prawns in a Potato Basket with Young Leek and Saffron Sauce.
The reins were then handed to Einsering, who handled the desserts.
There was Carrot Muffin, covered in a glaze enhanced with lemon juice and served with Hazelnut Parfait and Medley of Black and White Toblerone Chocolate Mousse with Marinated Berries.
While the promotion draws to an end on Nov 19, popular dishes will be retained in the bistro’s menu. A few dishes are also included in the daily lunch buffet line-up to offer a sampling of what is available for dinner throughout the promotion period.
BISTRO CASCATA Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya (Tel: 03-8312 7000). Business hours: Daily, lunch (noon to 2.30pm) & dinner (6.30pm-10.30pm). Closed on Mondays.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Delifrance Plans Two Hotel Bistro
Delifrance plans two more hotel bistroBy CHRISTINA CHIN
PENANG: Delifrance (M) Sdn Bhd which opened its first hotel bistro, Bistro Delifrance, at Paradise Sandy Bay Resort in Tanjung Bunga last week, is looking at setting up two new outlets in Penang next year.
Manager Poon Keat said the opening of the new bistro was in line with parent company Delifrance Asia Ltd's region-wide expansion and re-branding exercise.
“The name Delifrance is widely associated with self-service cafe-bakeries serving sandwiches and French bakery products but for the past nine months, we invested substantially in re-branding Delifrance as a bistro offering breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner menus.
“Since then, we have renovated 12 cafe-bakeries nationwide into Delifrance bistros.
Poon Keat ... the company will soon set up Delifrance express counters at petrol kiosks and supermarkets“Although we are focusing on the bistro concept with our upcoming outlets, the cafe-bakery concept will not be completely phased out.
“This is because certain locations are not feasible for bistro renovations due to space constraints,” he said.
As part of the brand's growth strategy, the company would soon set up Delifrance express counters at petrol kiosks and supermarkets, he added.
“Bistro Delifrance is our first outlet in a hotel and we are very excited.
“Our objective of setting up in a resort is to provide reasonably priced gourmet quality meals not only to hotel guests but also to locals who like to dine in a relaxed atmosphere,” he said, adding that about RM300,000 was spent on the new resort outlet.
“Next year, we are looking at possible outlets in the Seberang Prai Sunway Carnival shopping centre and Queensbay Mall in Bayan Baru.
“And within the next five months, we will have three outlets in Jakarta, Indonesia. We are also looking at franchising to build and expand the Delifrance chain,” he said.
Poon added that the company also planned to expand to Brunei.
Since embarking on establishing its bistro concept regionally, Bistro Delifrance outlets have been set up in Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Hong Kong and Singapore.
News Source : STAR
MAS & TransAero (Russia) Forms Code Share
MAS, Transaero forms code shareKuala Lumpur (2006-11-15)
MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) has signed an agreement with Russia's Transaero Airlines to operate direct air services between Kuala Lumpur and Moscow through a code share agreement from January 2007.
In a joint statement issued by Transaero Airlines and MAS, this partnership will initially offer eight scheduled flights from January 2 until March 17 between Moscow Domodedovo Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) using a 230-seater Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
News Source: TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) has signed an agreement with Russia's Transaero Airlines to operate direct air services between Kuala Lumpur and Moscow through a code share agreement from January 2007.
In a joint statement issued by Transaero Airlines and MAS, this partnership will initially offer eight scheduled flights from January 2 until March 17 between Moscow Domodedovo Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) using a 230-seater Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
News Source: TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
AirAsia to Hit 18million
AirAsia passenger volume to hit 18mil
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd expects passenger volume to hit 18 million by end-2007, backed by the agreement it sealed with Amadeus, increased number of Airbus A320 aircraft and more destinations, said group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes.
“For the financial year ended June 30, the airline had a passenger volume of about nine million,” he said yesterday after the agreement signing between AirAsia and Amadeus, a technology and distribution solutions provider to the travel and tourism industry.
Under the agreement, Amadeus travel agents and corporate customers across the globe will be able to book seats on AirAsia, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia as well as Fly Asian Xpress (FAX).
“This agreement will see AirAsia deploy a next-generation distribution solution for ticket-less travel in the Asia-Pacific,” Fernandes said.
From left: Amadeus Asia Ltd vice-president, Airline Business Group, Asia Pacific, Damian Hickey, David Brett, Datuk Tony Fernandes and AirAsia executive vicepresident (commercial) Kathleen Tan at the press conferenceHe said it was another step for the company to reach out to more travellers.
From left: Amadeus Asia Ltd vice-president, Airline Business Group, Asia Pacific, Damian Hickey, David Brett, Datuk Tony Fernandes and AirAsia executive vicepresident (commercial) Kathleen Tan at the press conferenceHe said it was another step for the company to reach out to more travellers.
He also said the group expected 10% to 20% of its total bookings via Amadeus.
Amadeus Asia-Pacific president David Brett said the partnership reinforced the value of travel agency distribution as an important complementary sales channel for low-cost carriers.
He said Amadeus accounted for about 30% of the 150 million bookings generated in the region.
On another matter, Fernandes said based on the rising volume of AirAsia’s business, the company would need to order more aircraft.
Amadeus Asia-Pacific president David Brett said the partnership reinforced the value of travel agency distribution as an important complementary sales channel for low-cost carriers.
He said Amadeus accounted for about 30% of the 150 million bookings generated in the region.
On another matter, Fernandes said based on the rising volume of AirAsia’s business, the company would need to order more aircraft.
“Business has never been so good for us. The management and board have not discussed it but I believe that in the not too distant future, we have to order more planes,” he said, adding that this was his personal view.
News Source : STAR
First Underwater Hotel in China
First underwater hotel for Shanghai
Nov 15, 06 1:57 am
Shimao Group, one of China's fast-growing property development groups, will build the first underwater five-star hotel in China.
Due to open in 2009, the Shanghai Shimao Wonderland will be located in Sheshan in Shanghai's Songjian District, where Shimao opened a five-star Meridian Hotel earlier this year. According to the Shimao Group, the five-star hotel will be built on the site of an abandoned quarry.
Situated next to an artificial lake, the hotel will feature 300 rooms above water, as well as some underwater rooms and restaurants. A shopping complex, additional restaurants, entertainment and sporting facilities will surround the hotel.
The Shimao Group said that Sheshan is becoming a main scenic spot on the outskirts of Shanghai. The Shanghai Shimao Wonderland will be the fourth hotel for the company in Shanghai, with ten more five-star hotels planned for China over the next five years.
Link : Shimao Group
News Source : EHotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Nov 15, 06 1:57 am
Shimao Group, one of China's fast-growing property development groups, will build the first underwater five-star hotel in China.
Due to open in 2009, the Shanghai Shimao Wonderland will be located in Sheshan in Shanghai's Songjian District, where Shimao opened a five-star Meridian Hotel earlier this year. According to the Shimao Group, the five-star hotel will be built on the site of an abandoned quarry.
Situated next to an artificial lake, the hotel will feature 300 rooms above water, as well as some underwater rooms and restaurants. A shopping complex, additional restaurants, entertainment and sporting facilities will surround the hotel.
The Shimao Group said that Sheshan is becoming a main scenic spot on the outskirts of Shanghai. The Shanghai Shimao Wonderland will be the fourth hotel for the company in Shanghai, with ten more five-star hotels planned for China over the next five years.
Link : Shimao Group
News Source : EHotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Passengers to Retrieve Luggage at KL Sentral
Check-out at KL Sentral
By MANJIT KAUR
KUALA LUMPUR: After introducing the in-town check-in system four years ago, Express Rail Link (ERL) plans to have a similar system here for international air travellers to check out at the city terminal in KL Sentral.
The system, due to start in November next year, would allow these passengers to retrieve their luggage at the KL City Terminal (KL CAT) rather than at the KL International Airport in Sepang.
Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) chief executive officer Dr Aminuddin Adnan claimed it is the first system of its kind in the world.
He said ERL – which provides the fast-train service between KLIA and the city centre – would work on the system with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) before discussing it with other airlines.
This would mean that passengers on MAS flights who disembark at the KLIA could choose to get on board a train from the airport and check out at the city terminal.
Dr Aminuddin said the service with MAS flights would help ERL to ensure that all baggage reaching the city terminal arrives at the same time as the passengers.
The passengers would need to go through the Customs clearance at KL CAT if they chose to collect their luggage at the city terminal, he said yesterday.
He had earlier attended the launch of the 2nd regional meeting of the International Air-Rail Organisation.
Dr Aminuddin said the Government gave the approval for the in-town baggage check-out system in May and the ERL was given 18 months to implement it.
He said the luggage carousel and inspection tables were all ready at KL CAT for the purpose, adding that it took the Government some time to come up with the upgrading service to ensure a successful and integrated check-out service.
On another matter, Dr Aminuddin said ERL submitted its proposal to the Government last week for a rail service from the KLIA main terminal building to the low-cost carrier terminal.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By MANJIT KAUR
KUALA LUMPUR: After introducing the in-town check-in system four years ago, Express Rail Link (ERL) plans to have a similar system here for international air travellers to check out at the city terminal in KL Sentral.
The system, due to start in November next year, would allow these passengers to retrieve their luggage at the KL City Terminal (KL CAT) rather than at the KL International Airport in Sepang.
Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) chief executive officer Dr Aminuddin Adnan claimed it is the first system of its kind in the world.
He said ERL – which provides the fast-train service between KLIA and the city centre – would work on the system with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) before discussing it with other airlines.
This would mean that passengers on MAS flights who disembark at the KLIA could choose to get on board a train from the airport and check out at the city terminal.
Dr Aminuddin said the service with MAS flights would help ERL to ensure that all baggage reaching the city terminal arrives at the same time as the passengers.
The passengers would need to go through the Customs clearance at KL CAT if they chose to collect their luggage at the city terminal, he said yesterday.
He had earlier attended the launch of the 2nd regional meeting of the International Air-Rail Organisation.
Dr Aminuddin said the Government gave the approval for the in-town baggage check-out system in May and the ERL was given 18 months to implement it.
He said the luggage carousel and inspection tables were all ready at KL CAT for the purpose, adding that it took the Government some time to come up with the upgrading service to ensure a successful and integrated check-out service.
On another matter, Dr Aminuddin said ERL submitted its proposal to the Government last week for a rail service from the KLIA main terminal building to the low-cost carrier terminal.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Three Million Tourist in Penang
Penang expects three million tourist arrivals
AN additional two million foreign tourists are expected to make a “beeline” to the Pearl of the Orient in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
State Tourism Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said this is about three times the number of arrivals recorded in Penang this year, adding that the Government is hoping to attract at least 20 million tourists to the whole country next year.
“An average of one million foreign tourists come to Penang annually and the figure will increase to three million next year.
“We are currently having rapid promotions in countries such as Singapore, India, the Philippines, Thailand and Aus-tralia which are our target countries.
“The state government will organise the World Music Fes-tival, Penang Bridge International Marathon and Penang Inter-national Dragon Boat Festival over the next 12 months to keep the tourists entertained.
NEW PLAYER:Teng signing a plaque at the newly opened In-Touch Travel and Tours.With him is company director Gary Cheah.“Musicians will make their way here after the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival which is held in the middle of the year,” he said at the opening of In-Touch Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd in Lorong Selamat yesterday.
Teng added that local travel agencies were already gearing up for the influx of tourists and programmes such as ‘Malaysia Welcomes the World’ had been conducted to prepare the service industry.
“And to keep the tourists coming, about RM100mil allocated to the state under the Ninth Malaysia Plan will be spent over the next few years to upgrade and build tourism facilities.”
The state is targeting for 4.7 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2010 that can generate RM10.8bil in revenue.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
AN additional two million foreign tourists are expected to make a “beeline” to the Pearl of the Orient in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
State Tourism Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said this is about three times the number of arrivals recorded in Penang this year, adding that the Government is hoping to attract at least 20 million tourists to the whole country next year.
“An average of one million foreign tourists come to Penang annually and the figure will increase to three million next year.
“We are currently having rapid promotions in countries such as Singapore, India, the Philippines, Thailand and Aus-tralia which are our target countries.
“The state government will organise the World Music Fes-tival, Penang Bridge International Marathon and Penang Inter-national Dragon Boat Festival over the next 12 months to keep the tourists entertained.
NEW PLAYER:Teng signing a plaque at the newly opened In-Touch Travel and Tours.With him is company director Gary Cheah.“Musicians will make their way here after the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival which is held in the middle of the year,” he said at the opening of In-Touch Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd in Lorong Selamat yesterday.
Teng added that local travel agencies were already gearing up for the influx of tourists and programmes such as ‘Malaysia Welcomes the World’ had been conducted to prepare the service industry.
“And to keep the tourists coming, about RM100mil allocated to the state under the Ninth Malaysia Plan will be spent over the next few years to upgrade and build tourism facilities.”
The state is targeting for 4.7 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2010 that can generate RM10.8bil in revenue.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Future of Travel
Exploring the the future of travel
By MICHAEL CHEANG
Ever wondered when we will be able to take a holiday in space, move our homes to Mars, or travel at hypersonic speeds from one end of the Earth to the other?
CNN Future Summit, hosted by Richard Quest, is a landmark programme that will explore how science and technology will eventually shape our future.
Quest will be in Singapore again next week to conduct the CNN Future Summit: World in Motion live.
The programme will focus on the future of travel, whether it’s on the ground, in the air, or into the final frontier, space itself.
He will be joined by four CNN Future Summit Nominating Committee members – Buzz Aldrin, a member of the first manned lunar landing by Apollo 11 in 1969, and the second human to set foot on the Moon; Anousheh Ansari, the world’s first female space tourist, who recently spent a week in the International Space Station; Lino Guzzella, a professor of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, who is an expert on fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles; and futurist Ian Pearson.
According to Quest, the whole objective of CNN Future Summit is to focus on what the world might look like in 35 to 45 years time, and they chose subjects with a realistic possibility that they could happen.
“When I was growing up, we never had mobile phones. The DVD and even the computers were not invented yet! It was all magical and out of this world! Those are the kinds of things we want,” said Quest.
“And that is why for this next one in Singapore, we went for the future of travel and are dividing that very firmly to four areas – space tourism, space exploration, future of aviation, and renewable energy sources – because we believe they are realistic issues to look at, where we will see definite progress over the next 40 odd years.”
With the participation of the four panellists, Quest is confident that the segment will be an insightful and interesting one.
“We’ve these four people who have achieved an enormous amount individually; but collectively, their wisdom will give us an insight into where we are going to go.
“Having said that, we want them to think out of the box, and not just come up with silly little ideas to which you and I will say ‘That’s not going to happen’!” said Quest. “After all, I do not believe that we can even think about going on holiday to Mars, or even the moon in our lifetime. However, in our lifetime, we might see some new form of supersonic transport that will allow me to take a long weekend in Sydney, or something like that.”
CNN Future Summit: World in Motion premieres on CNN (Astro Channel 90) at 6pm on Nov 23. For more information about the programme and to participate in ongoing discussions about the subjects raised, visit the official website at http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/futuresummit
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By MICHAEL CHEANG
Ever wondered when we will be able to take a holiday in space, move our homes to Mars, or travel at hypersonic speeds from one end of the Earth to the other?
CNN Future Summit, hosted by Richard Quest, is a landmark programme that will explore how science and technology will eventually shape our future.
Quest will be in Singapore again next week to conduct the CNN Future Summit: World in Motion live.
The programme will focus on the future of travel, whether it’s on the ground, in the air, or into the final frontier, space itself.
He will be joined by four CNN Future Summit Nominating Committee members – Buzz Aldrin, a member of the first manned lunar landing by Apollo 11 in 1969, and the second human to set foot on the Moon; Anousheh Ansari, the world’s first female space tourist, who recently spent a week in the International Space Station; Lino Guzzella, a professor of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, who is an expert on fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles; and futurist Ian Pearson.
According to Quest, the whole objective of CNN Future Summit is to focus on what the world might look like in 35 to 45 years time, and they chose subjects with a realistic possibility that they could happen.
“When I was growing up, we never had mobile phones. The DVD and even the computers were not invented yet! It was all magical and out of this world! Those are the kinds of things we want,” said Quest.
“And that is why for this next one in Singapore, we went for the future of travel and are dividing that very firmly to four areas – space tourism, space exploration, future of aviation, and renewable energy sources – because we believe they are realistic issues to look at, where we will see definite progress over the next 40 odd years.”
With the participation of the four panellists, Quest is confident that the segment will be an insightful and interesting one.
“We’ve these four people who have achieved an enormous amount individually; but collectively, their wisdom will give us an insight into where we are going to go.
“Having said that, we want them to think out of the box, and not just come up with silly little ideas to which you and I will say ‘That’s not going to happen’!” said Quest. “After all, I do not believe that we can even think about going on holiday to Mars, or even the moon in our lifetime. However, in our lifetime, we might see some new form of supersonic transport that will allow me to take a long weekend in Sydney, or something like that.”
CNN Future Summit: World in Motion premieres on CNN (Astro Channel 90) at 6pm on Nov 23. For more information about the programme and to participate in ongoing discussions about the subjects raised, visit the official website at http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/futuresummit
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Monday, November 13, 2006
MAS fares are competitive
MAS: Air fares are competitive
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has reiterated that its fares are competitive and it is incorrect to conduct pricing surveys on the basis of simple markers.
The national carrier said reports that its fares were high were inaccurate as airline pricing was very sophisticated.
MAS said this when clarifying recent reports on its fares and calls for availability of seats inventory for advanced bookings by customers.
To get cheaper fares, MAS said, passengers should book and purchase tickets early, book via the Internet, travel during low season periods, fly on less popular schedules, travel during weekdays and look out for tactical fares.
On an average, MAS has 18 fare categories with different levels and conditions, taking into consideration about 60 points of sales.
As MAS serves more than 100 routes, the national carrier has about 2.5 million different fare permutations, it said.
Likewise, if a fare comparison is made between MAS and other airlines, it is always possible to arrive at different conclusions.
MAS also expressed concern about the survey on air fares mentioned in the media recently.
MAS managing director Idris Jala said: “In our efforts to prove that we have not out-priced our fares based on the market supply and demand, our management has compiled some findings and shared it with the Ministry of Transport for engagement with the relevant agencies.”
Turning to seats availability in Britain and Europe, MAS said recent reports that agents in Scotland could not do advance bookings is inaccurate.
In Britain and Europe, all relevant travel agents have been alerted to call MAS if they face difficulties in making early bookings for their customers. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has reiterated that its fares are competitive and it is incorrect to conduct pricing surveys on the basis of simple markers.
The national carrier said reports that its fares were high were inaccurate as airline pricing was very sophisticated.
MAS said this when clarifying recent reports on its fares and calls for availability of seats inventory for advanced bookings by customers.
To get cheaper fares, MAS said, passengers should book and purchase tickets early, book via the Internet, travel during low season periods, fly on less popular schedules, travel during weekdays and look out for tactical fares.
On an average, MAS has 18 fare categories with different levels and conditions, taking into consideration about 60 points of sales.
As MAS serves more than 100 routes, the national carrier has about 2.5 million different fare permutations, it said.
Likewise, if a fare comparison is made between MAS and other airlines, it is always possible to arrive at different conclusions.
MAS also expressed concern about the survey on air fares mentioned in the media recently.
MAS managing director Idris Jala said: “In our efforts to prove that we have not out-priced our fares based on the market supply and demand, our management has compiled some findings and shared it with the Ministry of Transport for engagement with the relevant agencies.”
Turning to seats availability in Britain and Europe, MAS said recent reports that agents in Scotland could not do advance bookings is inaccurate.
In Britain and Europe, all relevant travel agents have been alerted to call MAS if they face difficulties in making early bookings for their customers. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Port Dickson boasts a world-class marina
Turning Port Dickson into popular destination for mariners
09 Nov 2006
Ridzwan Abdullah
PORT DICKSON, Thurs:
THE Negri Sembilan Government is ready to tap a huge potential in marine tourism by turning Port Dickson into a popular destination for mariners.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this should not be difficult as Port Dickson, the State's tourism gateway, already boasts a world-class marina as one of its key tourism attractions.
He said the Admiral Marina and Leisure Club was strategically located in the Malacca Straits for international mariners sailing through South East Asia, and is a fully integrated marina with full berthing facilities.
Every year, close to 20,000 yatchs and vessels berth here.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
09 Nov 2006
Ridzwan Abdullah
PORT DICKSON, Thurs:
THE Negri Sembilan Government is ready to tap a huge potential in marine tourism by turning Port Dickson into a popular destination for mariners.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this should not be difficult as Port Dickson, the State's tourism gateway, already boasts a world-class marina as one of its key tourism attractions.
He said the Admiral Marina and Leisure Club was strategically located in the Malacca Straits for international mariners sailing through South East Asia, and is a fully integrated marina with full berthing facilities.
Every year, close to 20,000 yatchs and vessels berth here.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
MAS to lower its fares in Europe
High MAS fares may put off European tourists
AMSTERDAM: Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) expensive fares may deter European tourists from
travelling to Malaysia during Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007).
“They (European tourists) are saying that if we don’t do something about MAS fares, tourist arrivals from Europe particularly the United Kingdom will drop by 50% next year,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
“Tour operators and agents in the UK, Ireland and Holland said MAS must lower its fares to Europe and allow early bookings to encourage more Europeans to visit Malaysia,” he told Malaysian reporters here Friday.
Tengku Adnan said that he would ask the Transport Ministry to hold immediate discussions with MAS to lower its fares in Europe.
He said the demands of the European tourists, especially British tourists, must be taken seriously as they were among the top contributors to Malaysia’s foreign exchange earnings.
For instance, he said 240,030 tourists from Britain visited Malaysia last year and spent RM914.6 million in the country.
The launch of VMY 2007 in Dublin (Nov 2), London (Nov 48), Glasgow (Nov 9-10) and Amsterdam (11-12) was well covered by the local media and well received by the local communities there.
Tourism Malaysia is selling various holiday packages for the VMY 2007. They include shopping holiday, agro and nature holiday, educational tour, honeymoon package, spa holiday, golf holiday as well as diving, fishing, marine adventure and cosmetic surgery holiday.
Tourism Malaysia also encourages tourists to make Malaysia their second home through the “Malaysia My Second Home” package. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
AMSTERDAM: Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) expensive fares may deter European tourists from
travelling to Malaysia during Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007).
“They (European tourists) are saying that if we don’t do something about MAS fares, tourist arrivals from Europe particularly the United Kingdom will drop by 50% next year,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
“Tour operators and agents in the UK, Ireland and Holland said MAS must lower its fares to Europe and allow early bookings to encourage more Europeans to visit Malaysia,” he told Malaysian reporters here Friday.
Tengku Adnan said that he would ask the Transport Ministry to hold immediate discussions with MAS to lower its fares in Europe.
He said the demands of the European tourists, especially British tourists, must be taken seriously as they were among the top contributors to Malaysia’s foreign exchange earnings.
For instance, he said 240,030 tourists from Britain visited Malaysia last year and spent RM914.6 million in the country.
The launch of VMY 2007 in Dublin (Nov 2), London (Nov 48), Glasgow (Nov 9-10) and Amsterdam (11-12) was well covered by the local media and well received by the local communities there.
Tourism Malaysia is selling various holiday packages for the VMY 2007. They include shopping holiday, agro and nature holiday, educational tour, honeymoon package, spa holiday, golf holiday as well as diving, fishing, marine adventure and cosmetic surgery holiday.
Tourism Malaysia also encourages tourists to make Malaysia their second home through the “Malaysia My Second Home” package. – Bernama
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Toh Lee’s New Look (Nikko)
Starting fresh
BY ALICE CHING
BY ALICE CHING
THERE is a sense of renewed vitality about Hotel Nikko’s Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant. Adorned with plush new carpet and peach-coloured wallpaper from a recent refurbishment exercise, the outlet has never looked better.
To complement Toh Lee’s new look, executive chef Loh Chon Hor and his team have gone to great lengths to create 130 dishes for its latest menu.
Lamb Shank with Black Bean Sauce.The current offerings comprise innovative regional Chinese delicacies inspired by the cuisines of Beijing and Sichuan.
Lamb Shank with Black Bean Sauce.The current offerings comprise innovative regional Chinese delicacies inspired by the cuisines of Beijing and Sichuan.
In keeping with contemporary dining trends, most of the chef’s signature specialities are presented in individual portions for greater visual impact.
The Deep-fried Octopus in Salt and Pepper (RM10 per portion) is an enticing appetiser as it teases the taste buds with its combination of chewy and crunchy textures.
Leong fun or black grass jelly strips make an unexpected appearance in the Mixed Salad of Shredded Celery with Black Jelly in Spicy Sauce (RM7 per portion).
It turns out to be a delicate salad incorporating micro alfalfa sprouts, shredded celery, turkey ham strips and sesame seeds, tossed in a mildly spicy sauce.
It turns out to be a delicate salad incorporating micro alfalfa sprouts, shredded celery, turkey ham strips and sesame seeds, tossed in a mildly spicy sauce.
A good Chinese chef is often judged by his soup-making skills, and Chef Loh’s certainly reigns supreme. His Pumpkin and Dried Scallop Soup (RM16 per individual bowl) is so delicious that its wholesome, tasty goodness remains long after the meal is over.
Just like the proverbial chicken soup for the soul, the clear, sweet broth of double-boiled pumpkin with dried and fresh scallops and bamboo piths is invigorating.
The chef’s creativity is also evident in his signature dish of Sautéed Scrambled Egg White with Diced Cod and Pomelo on Crisp Lettuce (RM25 per individual portion).
The pomelo sacs’ muted acidity and bittersweet nuances are a nice counterpoint to the rich pairing of cod and egg white, while the crispy strands of deep-fried rice vermicelli and diced zucchini provide textural contrast.
Another creation that will have diners raving is the Baked Double-boiled Lamb Shank with Black Bean Sauce (RM18 per individual portion).
After hours of double boiling, the tender and moist lamb is rich with the mouth-watering aromas of Chinese herbs.
Prawns with Veggies and Turkey Ham.A zesty but not too salty black bean sauce adds a perky finish to this sublime dish.
Prawns with Veggies and Turkey Ham.A zesty but not too salty black bean sauce adds a perky finish to this sublime dish.
Other interesting dishes from the new menu include Stuffed Prawns with Vegetables Sautéed with Smoked Turkey Ham, Baked Baby Cabbage with Creamy Goma (Sesame) Sauce, Minced Venison Cake with Salted Fish and Water Chestnuts, Deep-fried Scallops with Egg Floss and Oats, and Chilled Imperial Noodles with Stewed Meat and Chives.
Sweet pickings from the dessert section include Chilled Mango Crème Brulee with Vanilla Ice Cream and Pomelo in Young Coconut, Chilled Avocado Cream and Sago Topped with Nuts, and Soft Almond Beancurd with Black Sesame Salsa and Longans.
But it will probably be the Crispy Fillo Parcel with Durian Cream that will have people beating a path to Toh Lee’s doors.
And if the comprehensive a la carte menu is not enough to satisfy you, there is always the restaurant’s sumptuous dim sum selection. Freshly made for lunch daily, 60 types of these dainty sweet and savoury morsels await the dim sum lover.
News Source : STAR
Ready for the longer hauls
Ready for the longer hauls
BY LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: With AirAsia's success as a low-cost carrier in regional sectors, the Government is now looking at low-cost medium and long-haul flights to China, India and even Europe.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Malaysia was ready for longer flights based on its experience in regional operations.
“This can change the aviation landscape,” he said yesterday in an interview.
He said the routes AirAsia is plying would complement those of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to create a win-win situation.
“There are many destinations that MAS is not flying to. Take China, for example. We have rights for up to 125 flights a week, but are only using 47.
“We have to provide air links between many more cities in China and Kuala Lumpur and low-cost medium-haul flights would be an answer.”
Flights under four hours are considered short-haul while those more than 10 hours are long-haul.
On Thursday, Chan was named Aviation Minister of the Year by the Australian-based Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) for his efforts in domestic aviation reforms and infrastructure development.
Malaysia also won other Capa awards – KL International Airport (KLIA) received the Low-Cost Airport of The Year award, and MAS the Airline Turnaround of the Year award.
Chan also said Philippines' Cebu Pacific would start operating at the KLIA low-cost carrier terminal by the end of the month, making it the only other airline after AirAsia.
Attracting more low-cost carriers to KLIA was one of the strategies to ensure Malaysia maintained its position as Asia's low-cost hub, he said.
“We are also talking to a few other carriers in the region.”
Chan said the low-cost carrier terminal was the fastest growing of its type in the world. Since opening in March, it has handled 4.8 million passengers up to September.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
BY LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: With AirAsia's success as a low-cost carrier in regional sectors, the Government is now looking at low-cost medium and long-haul flights to China, India and even Europe.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Malaysia was ready for longer flights based on its experience in regional operations.
“This can change the aviation landscape,” he said yesterday in an interview.
He said the routes AirAsia is plying would complement those of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to create a win-win situation.
“There are many destinations that MAS is not flying to. Take China, for example. We have rights for up to 125 flights a week, but are only using 47.
“We have to provide air links between many more cities in China and Kuala Lumpur and low-cost medium-haul flights would be an answer.”
Flights under four hours are considered short-haul while those more than 10 hours are long-haul.
On Thursday, Chan was named Aviation Minister of the Year by the Australian-based Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) for his efforts in domestic aviation reforms and infrastructure development.
Malaysia also won other Capa awards – KL International Airport (KLIA) received the Low-Cost Airport of The Year award, and MAS the Airline Turnaround of the Year award.
Chan also said Philippines' Cebu Pacific would start operating at the KLIA low-cost carrier terminal by the end of the month, making it the only other airline after AirAsia.
Attracting more low-cost carriers to KLIA was one of the strategies to ensure Malaysia maintained its position as Asia's low-cost hub, he said.
“We are also talking to a few other carriers in the region.”
Chan said the low-cost carrier terminal was the fastest growing of its type in the world. Since opening in March, it has handled 4.8 million passengers up to September.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Friday, November 10, 2006
Asia-Pacific Awards for MAHB, MAS
PETALING JAYA: Barely seven months after it opened for business, Malaysia's low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT-KLIA) yesterday bagged the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's (CAPA) inaugural Low Cost Airport of the Year 2006 award.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad, who received the award at a gala dinner in Singapore yesterday, said in a statement it “has spurred us to work even harder to maintain the LCCT’s standing as the best in Asia-Pacific”.
Managed by MAHB, the LCCT-KLIA was built on a fast-track basis within nine months for RM108mil.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) bagged the CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year award at the same event. The award is given to an airline whose affairs were most significantly transformed for the better during the year.
“This is a memorable occasion for MAS as the recognition comes at a time when we are definitely on course to, and probably tracking slightly ahead of, our business turnaround plan target to return to profitability,’’ MAS managing director Idris Jala said.
The judging process for the CAPA Aviation Awards for excellence involves airports and airlines in the Asia-Pacific being reviewed constantly throughout the year via CAPA's extensive data and information gathering and reporting process. Recommendations are then made and reviewed by a highly experienced aviation advisory panel.
The dinner was held in conjunction with the third annual Asia Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006 that began yesterday.
Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad, who received the award at a gala dinner in Singapore yesterday, said in a statement it “has spurred us to work even harder to maintain the LCCT’s standing as the best in Asia-Pacific”.
Managed by MAHB, the LCCT-KLIA was built on a fast-track basis within nine months for RM108mil.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) bagged the CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year award at the same event. The award is given to an airline whose affairs were most significantly transformed for the better during the year.
“This is a memorable occasion for MAS as the recognition comes at a time when we are definitely on course to, and probably tracking slightly ahead of, our business turnaround plan target to return to profitability,’’ MAS managing director Idris Jala said.
The judging process for the CAPA Aviation Awards for excellence involves airports and airlines in the Asia-Pacific being reviewed constantly throughout the year via CAPA's extensive data and information gathering and reporting process. Recommendations are then made and reviewed by a highly experienced aviation advisory panel.
The dinner was held in conjunction with the third annual Asia Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006 that began yesterday.
Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Hotel services audited
Hotel services audited once every three years
08 Nov 2006
Eileen Ng at the Dewan Rakyat
KUALA LUMPUR, WED:
AN audit is carried out every three years to ensure hotel operators maintain their standards. Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim told Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) that the audit included a review of the Orchid and Stars ratings given to hotels in the country.
"The ratings were awarded to the hotels based on the services offered. The ratings served as a yardstick for the hotel industry and as a guide for tourists.
"However, if we find during the auditing that their service falls short of expectations, we downgrade their ratings or rescind it," he said. He said during the three-year period, the ministry could also take action against the hotels if there were complaints.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
08 Nov 2006
Eileen Ng at the Dewan Rakyat
KUALA LUMPUR, WED:
AN audit is carried out every three years to ensure hotel operators maintain their standards. Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim told Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) that the audit included a review of the Orchid and Stars ratings given to hotels in the country.
"The ratings were awarded to the hotels based on the services offered. The ratings served as a yardstick for the hotel industry and as a guide for tourists.
"However, if we find during the auditing that their service falls short of expectations, we downgrade their ratings or rescind it," he said. He said during the three-year period, the ministry could also take action against the hotels if there were complaints.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
90% of Asian travellers Look for a Spa
Focus on spas for travellers
By CHRISTINA LOW
RESEARCH shows that more than 90% of Asian travellers today look for a spa or a spa resort when travelling.
This has prompted Tourism Malaysia to host the inaugural Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 and to place the country as a spa and wellness destination next month.
“This festival is relevant to the citizens as we are preparing to host Visit Malaysia Year 2007. Spa tourists are generally affluent visitors, who spend on higher grade of accommodation and other travel products compared to the average traveller,” said Ministry of Tourism secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee during the media launch recently.
Themed “Celebrating Asia’s Spa and Wellness Heritage'', the festival from Dec 1 to 3 will feature a wide variety of spas ranging from day spas to destination spas and wellness centres specialising in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
(From left) Dr Wee launching the exhibition while Raja Ropiaah, AIC Events managing director and Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 project director William Ng and Euromobil director Datuk Donald Choo look on.“The festival comprises of three different components, namely a trade exhibition, an industry summit and the inaugural Malaysian Spa and Wellness Awards 2006.
The festival is a strategic platform for networking and exchange of ideas among industry players as well as a venue for suppliers to the spa and wellness industry to showcase their products,” said Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 chairman Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah.
Raja Ropiaah also added that the festival is a collective effort by the industry to gather the best spas and wellness centres in Asia as an answer to the need for a regional event to further propel the growth of the industry.
The event to be held at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre will feature over 80 exhibitors and 300 delegates from 12 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany and Hong Kong.
The exhibition is open for trade only on the first day and to the public on the next two days.
Designed as a spa village, the exhibition concept steers away from the mundane façade of the ordinary exhibitions, making visits a rejuvenating experience while creating a relaxing oasis in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Some of the speakers for the summit who will be speaking for the first time in Asia include Prof Dr Gerhard Huber from University of Heidelberg and WellConsult managing director Slyvia Gluckert.
Other speakers include Mehmann Wellness Consulting managing director Toni Mehmann, Martha Tilaar Group founder Dr Martha Tilaar, Australian Spa Association vice president Vanessa Gay and S Medical Spa president Dr Pakpilai Thavisin.
The festival is supported by the Thai Spa Association, Bali Spa Association and the Spa Association of Singapore. Euromobil Sdn Bhd is the official presenter for the festival.
For details on the event visit http://www.aswf2006.com/ or call the secretariat at 03-780 36637.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By CHRISTINA LOW
RESEARCH shows that more than 90% of Asian travellers today look for a spa or a spa resort when travelling.
This has prompted Tourism Malaysia to host the inaugural Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 and to place the country as a spa and wellness destination next month.
“This festival is relevant to the citizens as we are preparing to host Visit Malaysia Year 2007. Spa tourists are generally affluent visitors, who spend on higher grade of accommodation and other travel products compared to the average traveller,” said Ministry of Tourism secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee during the media launch recently.
Themed “Celebrating Asia’s Spa and Wellness Heritage'', the festival from Dec 1 to 3 will feature a wide variety of spas ranging from day spas to destination spas and wellness centres specialising in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
(From left) Dr Wee launching the exhibition while Raja Ropiaah, AIC Events managing director and Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 project director William Ng and Euromobil director Datuk Donald Choo look on.“The festival comprises of three different components, namely a trade exhibition, an industry summit and the inaugural Malaysian Spa and Wellness Awards 2006.
The festival is a strategic platform for networking and exchange of ideas among industry players as well as a venue for suppliers to the spa and wellness industry to showcase their products,” said Asia Spa and Wellness Festival 2006 chairman Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah.
Raja Ropiaah also added that the festival is a collective effort by the industry to gather the best spas and wellness centres in Asia as an answer to the need for a regional event to further propel the growth of the industry.
The event to be held at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre will feature over 80 exhibitors and 300 delegates from 12 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany and Hong Kong.
The exhibition is open for trade only on the first day and to the public on the next two days.
Designed as a spa village, the exhibition concept steers away from the mundane façade of the ordinary exhibitions, making visits a rejuvenating experience while creating a relaxing oasis in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Some of the speakers for the summit who will be speaking for the first time in Asia include Prof Dr Gerhard Huber from University of Heidelberg and WellConsult managing director Slyvia Gluckert.
Other speakers include Mehmann Wellness Consulting managing director Toni Mehmann, Martha Tilaar Group founder Dr Martha Tilaar, Australian Spa Association vice president Vanessa Gay and S Medical Spa president Dr Pakpilai Thavisin.
The festival is supported by the Thai Spa Association, Bali Spa Association and the Spa Association of Singapore. Euromobil Sdn Bhd is the official presenter for the festival.
For details on the event visit http://www.aswf2006.com/ or call the secretariat at 03-780 36637.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Thursday, November 09, 2006
MAS retains KL-Stockholm-New York service
MAS retains KL-Stockholm-New York service
Corinne Wan
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines will retain its service to Stockholm and New York (Newark) service in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
The airline had earlier announced it would case operations on the KL-Stockholm-New York route after January 15, 2007. MAS managing director/CEO, Idris Jala, said the decision to discontinue the route was based on findings from its route profitability exercise.
However, strong calls by both the Malaysian and Swedish governments and the countries' travel trade industry have led to this reversal decision.
He added that MAS is in "active discussions" with a few trans-Atlantic airlines to develop links with cities into the US east coast via Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, the airline will increase the use of its existing share option with KLM for the KL-Stockholm sector to increase connectivity between the two cities via Amsterdam.
News Source : Travelweekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Corinne Wan
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines will retain its service to Stockholm and New York (Newark) service in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
The airline had earlier announced it would case operations on the KL-Stockholm-New York route after January 15, 2007. MAS managing director/CEO, Idris Jala, said the decision to discontinue the route was based on findings from its route profitability exercise.
However, strong calls by both the Malaysian and Swedish governments and the countries' travel trade industry have led to this reversal decision.
He added that MAS is in "active discussions" with a few trans-Atlantic airlines to develop links with cities into the US east coast via Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, the airline will increase the use of its existing share option with KLM for the KL-Stockholm sector to increase connectivity between the two cities via Amsterdam.
News Source : Travelweekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
British tourist spending rises
British tourist spending rises
LONDON: More British tourists are coming to Malaysia and they are spending more.
They spent RM914.6mil in Malaysia last year, an increase of 47.8% over the previous year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
He said tourist arrivals from Britain rose by 17.4%, from about 204,000 in 2004 to 240,000 last year.
Till July this year, about 147,000 Britons have visited Malaysia, an increase of 7.4% compared with the corresponding period last year.
Malaysia had a high regard for Britain as a major tourist generating market and also as an
important industrial and trading partner, he said when launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign at Waldorf Hilton here on Monday.
The Visit Malaysia Year sales mission has so far covered Dublin (from Nov 1 to 3) and will next visit Glasgow (Nov 9 and 10) and Amsterdam (Nov 10 and 11).
The Malaysian delegation also took part in the four-day World Travel Market at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in Docklands, which started on Monday.
Fifty major events have been scheduled for the year-long celebrations.
Tengku Adnan said British visitors found Malaysia appealing for many reasons. The major factor is that it is a value-for-money destination.
“Where else can you stay at a five-star hotel for only £54 (RM356)?” he asked.
He said Malaysia’s diverse attractions – ranging from its million-year-old rainforests, national parks and pristine beaches to idyllic tropical islands and renowned dive sites – were perfect for those who loved the sun, sea and marine life.
Tengku Adnan said Britons could also take part in the Malaysia My Second Home programme, which offered a social visit pass with multiple entries to Malaysia for up to 10 years.
Under the programme, they can buy two houses in Malaysia and visit the country any time.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
LONDON: More British tourists are coming to Malaysia and they are spending more.
They spent RM914.6mil in Malaysia last year, an increase of 47.8% over the previous year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
He said tourist arrivals from Britain rose by 17.4%, from about 204,000 in 2004 to 240,000 last year.
Till July this year, about 147,000 Britons have visited Malaysia, an increase of 7.4% compared with the corresponding period last year.
Malaysia had a high regard for Britain as a major tourist generating market and also as an
important industrial and trading partner, he said when launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign at Waldorf Hilton here on Monday.
The Visit Malaysia Year sales mission has so far covered Dublin (from Nov 1 to 3) and will next visit Glasgow (Nov 9 and 10) and Amsterdam (Nov 10 and 11).
The Malaysian delegation also took part in the four-day World Travel Market at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in Docklands, which started on Monday.
Fifty major events have been scheduled for the year-long celebrations.
Tengku Adnan said British visitors found Malaysia appealing for many reasons. The major factor is that it is a value-for-money destination.
“Where else can you stay at a five-star hotel for only £54 (RM356)?” he asked.
He said Malaysia’s diverse attractions – ranging from its million-year-old rainforests, national parks and pristine beaches to idyllic tropical islands and renowned dive sites – were perfect for those who loved the sun, sea and marine life.
Tengku Adnan said Britons could also take part in the Malaysia My Second Home programme, which offered a social visit pass with multiple entries to Malaysia for up to 10 years.
Under the programme, they can buy two houses in Malaysia and visit the country any time.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Hospitality and Tourism management courses in Colleges
More hospitality courses at colleges
08 Nov 2006
KUALA LUMPUR: With the emphasis given to the growing tourism industry, private colleges are introducing hospitality and tourism management courses to their line up of degree and diploma programmes.
Many of these hands-on courses will be introduced at the 21st Facon Education Fair 2006 next month.
Facon is held twice a year, in March and December, and more than 400 local and foreign higher learning institutions will take part.
Next month will see the participation of groups from Holland, Japan and Singapore.
Among those promoting their tourism courses will be KBU International College.
Best known for its certificate, diploma, pre-university and degree programmes in art and design, business, computing and Information Technology, multimedia and language studies, KBU is excited about its new Hospitality and Tourism Management programme, which begins in January.
KBU marketing manager Yap Chen Long says students who sign up for the course will intern for one semester at a new hotel to be launched next year under the KBU brand.
"We are also fostering partnerships with other hotels to give our students more choices," he said.
Informatics College is also treading new ground. In addition to the Information Technology programmes it traditionally offers, it is launching a tourism management programme next year.
The new course will offer students practical lessons at top resorts and hotels here at home and in Singapore, Britain, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
"Our students will not only receive quality education, but an important cultural experience as well," said Informatics Global Education senior executive director Lawrence Wee.
With an established A-list of tourism-related courses at its Genting Inti International campus, Inti International University College has strong links to the hospitality industry.
After their graduate internship, many students walk out with a job in hand.
The college also holds its own annual job fair for final year students.
All three institutions offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid.
The New Straits Times and Nanyang Siang Pau are the official media for the fair which kicks off here on Dec 2-3 at the Putra World Trade Centre.It will travel to Alor Star on Dec 5, Penang (Dec 6), Ipoh (Dec 7), Malacca (Dec 8) and Johor Baru (Dec 10) from 12pm to 6pm. Admission is free.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
08 Nov 2006
KUALA LUMPUR: With the emphasis given to the growing tourism industry, private colleges are introducing hospitality and tourism management courses to their line up of degree and diploma programmes.
Many of these hands-on courses will be introduced at the 21st Facon Education Fair 2006 next month.
Facon is held twice a year, in March and December, and more than 400 local and foreign higher learning institutions will take part.
Next month will see the participation of groups from Holland, Japan and Singapore.
Among those promoting their tourism courses will be KBU International College.
Best known for its certificate, diploma, pre-university and degree programmes in art and design, business, computing and Information Technology, multimedia and language studies, KBU is excited about its new Hospitality and Tourism Management programme, which begins in January.
KBU marketing manager Yap Chen Long says students who sign up for the course will intern for one semester at a new hotel to be launched next year under the KBU brand.
"We are also fostering partnerships with other hotels to give our students more choices," he said.
Informatics College is also treading new ground. In addition to the Information Technology programmes it traditionally offers, it is launching a tourism management programme next year.
The new course will offer students practical lessons at top resorts and hotels here at home and in Singapore, Britain, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
"Our students will not only receive quality education, but an important cultural experience as well," said Informatics Global Education senior executive director Lawrence Wee.
With an established A-list of tourism-related courses at its Genting Inti International campus, Inti International University College has strong links to the hospitality industry.
After their graduate internship, many students walk out with a job in hand.
The college also holds its own annual job fair for final year students.
All three institutions offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid.
The New Straits Times and Nanyang Siang Pau are the official media for the fair which kicks off here on Dec 2-3 at the Putra World Trade Centre.It will travel to Alor Star on Dec 5, Penang (Dec 6), Ipoh (Dec 7), Malacca (Dec 8) and Johor Baru (Dec 10) from 12pm to 6pm. Admission is free.
News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Parkroyal may expand to east Malaysia
Parkroyal may expand to east Malaysia
By Yeow Pooi Ling
KUALA LUMPUR: The Parkroyal hotel chain is expected to expand to Thailand and Indonesia, said Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts executive director Wee Wei Ling.
Locally, the group intends to have a presence in east Malaysia. “We're still looking. The property must be compatible with us,” she told a press conference yesterday.
Wee Wei LingThere are currently five Parkroyal hotels in South-East Asia: two in Singapore, two in Malaysia and one in Myanmar.
By Yeow Pooi Ling
KUALA LUMPUR: The Parkroyal hotel chain is expected to expand to Thailand and Indonesia, said Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts executive director Wee Wei Ling.Locally, the group intends to have a presence in east Malaysia. “We're still looking. The property must be compatible with us,” she told a press conference yesterday.
Wee Wei LingThere are currently five Parkroyal hotels in South-East Asia: two in Singapore, two in Malaysia and one in Myanmar.
The Parkroyal brand is managed by Parkroyal Hospitality Management Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned unit of Singapore-listed Hotel Plaza Ltd, which owns the Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts brand name.
The group expected to acquire the brand rights for the Pacific region in 2010, following which 
the Parkroyal brand would be able to enter Australia and New Zealand, said Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts sales and marketing vice-president Christina Chua.
the Parkroyal brand would be able to enter Australia and New Zealand, said Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts sales and marketing vice-president Christina Chua.She added that the group was anticipated to spend more than the intended capital expenditure (capex) of RM110mil allocated in the last five years for the upgrading and refurbishment of hotels in Malaysia.
In 2003, it spent RM65mil to refurbish Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur and another RM25mil for Parkroyal Penang. It recently completed additional RM2mil upgrading works at Parkroyal Penang and is expected to spend a further RM20mil to develop a new 78-room wing at Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur.
Christina ChuaChua said details of the extra capex would be announced later.
Wei said the new wing, to be called “Orchid Club”, would occupy the third to fifth floor of the hotel's podium block. The sixth floor would be converted into “Orchid Club Lounge”, comprising a landscaped, 7,000-sq ft indoor and outdoor facility for the exclusive use of guests in the new wing.
Christina ChuaChua said details of the extra capex would be announced later.
Wei said the new wing, to be called “Orchid Club”, would occupy the third to fifth floor of the hotel's podium block. The sixth floor would be converted into “Orchid Club Lounge”, comprising a landscaped, 7,000-sq ft indoor and outdoor facility for the exclusive use of guests in the new wing.
The new wing was expected to be completed by mid-2007, she said, adding that occupancy rate was likely to remain favourable at some 85% next year for its hotels in Singapore and Malaysia.
The St Gregory spa brand, which was integrated in its Penang hotel last month, would also be available at the Kuala Lumpur premises by mid-2007, Wei said.
The St Gregory spa brand, which was integrated in its Penang hotel last month, would also be available at the Kuala Lumpur premises by mid-2007, Wei said.
The Malaysian operations contribute 29% to group revenue for the January to September period.
Penang Theme Parks
Penang keen to have theme parks
By CHOONG KWEE KIM
PENANG is keen on two proposals from international investors for an adventure-themed park in Pulau Jerejak and a water-themed park in Teluk Kum-bar.
State Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the proposals reflected investor confidence in the state.
“We have to come out with ideas on how best to position ourselves when Singapore’s two casinos open in 2008.
“Penang can have two theme parks as there is no conflict of themes. They will just result in more tourism products in the state,” he told a press con- ference after opening the Penang Tourism Seminar 2006 yesterday.
Teng said he met the investors separately for preliminary discussions of the proposals last month.
He said the proposed theme for Pulau Jerejak was an eco-friendly adventure park designed with a storyline related to the history of Penang.
He said forest reserve covering 71% or 259ha of the 362ha Pulau Jerejak would be free of development.
“The investor will discuss land issues with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and Uda Holdings Bhd which have their own deve-lopment plans for Pulau Jerejak,” Teng said.
Uda and PDC developed the 8ha Jerejak Resort & Spa in a joint venture. They have another 24ha for future development.
Teng said the proposed site for the water-themed park in Teluk Kumbar would involve private land.
He also said four new four-star hotels would be built in the next 12 to 18 months, providing more 1,000 hotel rooms in Penang.
He said two hotels would be built as annexes behind the Boustead and Wisma Kastam buildings along Weld Quay, one at Queensbay and another at Juru Auto City.
The Boustead development under the Royal Bintang Hotel chain and the other hotel at Wisma Kastam would not involve any demolition of the heritage buildings.
He said they would not be higher than the nearby Ban-gunan Tuanku Syed Putra.
On hotel occupancy rate in the state, he said there was an increase of 10% in the first nine months this year.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By CHOONG KWEE KIM
PENANG is keen on two proposals from international investors for an adventure-themed park in Pulau Jerejak and a water-themed park in Teluk Kum-bar.
State Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the proposals reflected investor confidence in the state.
“We have to come out with ideas on how best to position ourselves when Singapore’s two casinos open in 2008.
“Penang can have two theme parks as there is no conflict of themes. They will just result in more tourism products in the state,” he told a press con- ference after opening the Penang Tourism Seminar 2006 yesterday.
Teng said he met the investors separately for preliminary discussions of the proposals last month.
He said the proposed theme for Pulau Jerejak was an eco-friendly adventure park designed with a storyline related to the history of Penang.
He said forest reserve covering 71% or 259ha of the 362ha Pulau Jerejak would be free of development.
“The investor will discuss land issues with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and Uda Holdings Bhd which have their own deve-lopment plans for Pulau Jerejak,” Teng said.
Uda and PDC developed the 8ha Jerejak Resort & Spa in a joint venture. They have another 24ha for future development.
Teng said the proposed site for the water-themed park in Teluk Kumbar would involve private land.
He also said four new four-star hotels would be built in the next 12 to 18 months, providing more 1,000 hotel rooms in Penang.
He said two hotels would be built as annexes behind the Boustead and Wisma Kastam buildings along Weld Quay, one at Queensbay and another at Juru Auto City.
The Boustead development under the Royal Bintang Hotel chain and the other hotel at Wisma Kastam would not involve any demolition of the heritage buildings.
He said they would not be higher than the nearby Ban-gunan Tuanku Syed Putra.
On hotel occupancy rate in the state, he said there was an increase of 10% in the first nine months this year.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Visa-on-arrival Programme Abused
3,000 visitors abused visa-on-arrival programme
PUTRAJAYA: Nearly 3,000 foreigners have abused the visa-on-arrival programme that was introduced on Sept 1 to mainly attract more tourists into the country in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said all had overstayed.
He said the Immigration enforcement division was now trying to track them down, which he admitted was a difficult task.
“We have been generous to them by charging RM100 and giving them one month to visit the country, but they have taken advantage of our kindness and refused to go home,” he said.
“How to trace them easily, they look like Malays, Indians and Chinese of this country?” he said.
Radzi said the visa-on-arrival was introduced only for tourists from 24 countries that required a visa to enter Malaysia with hopes to attract 21 million tourists under the VMY campaign.
He said among the 2,872 who had overstayed, 1,941 were from India, 355 from China, and 199 from Sri Lanka. Others are from Bangladesh (194), Pakistan (113), Myanmar (27), Nepal (23), Democratic Republic of Congo (six), Nigeria (two), and 12 are from other countries.
Asked if the visa-on-arrival would be continued despite the problem, he said it would continue but would be reviewed at the same time.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
PUTRAJAYA: Nearly 3,000 foreigners have abused the visa-on-arrival programme that was introduced on Sept 1 to mainly attract more tourists into the country in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said all had overstayed.
He said the Immigration enforcement division was now trying to track them down, which he admitted was a difficult task.
“We have been generous to them by charging RM100 and giving them one month to visit the country, but they have taken advantage of our kindness and refused to go home,” he said.
“How to trace them easily, they look like Malays, Indians and Chinese of this country?” he said.
Radzi said the visa-on-arrival was introduced only for tourists from 24 countries that required a visa to enter Malaysia with hopes to attract 21 million tourists under the VMY campaign.
He said among the 2,872 who had overstayed, 1,941 were from India, 355 from China, and 199 from Sri Lanka. Others are from Bangladesh (194), Pakistan (113), Myanmar (27), Nepal (23), Democratic Republic of Congo (six), Nigeria (two), and 12 are from other countries.
Asked if the visa-on-arrival would be continued despite the problem, he said it would continue but would be reviewed at the same time.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
VMY 2007 Logo on a Taxi
Envoys on wheels: A London black cab bearing the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 logo parked outside the World Travel Market in Docklands on Monday. Drivers of 60 such cabs have turned envoys for the campaign in Britain. The cabs will bear images of Malaysia for the next three months. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor launched the campaign in London on Monday
Matta to introduce prepaid Visa cards
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) will introduce a prepaid Visa travel card in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 which can be used to pay for hotels and airline tickets.
Matta deputy president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said the association had already negotiated successfully with Visa and a local bank to launch the prepaid travel card.
“For a start, about 20,000 cards will be issued here and they will be available at designated kiosks,” he said.
“The Matta comittee has approved the plan. The travel card will most likely be launched here in January,” he said.
However, Mohd Khalid revealed that the travel card would later be available in other countries.
To a question, he said Matta initiated the talk of issuing a prepaid travel card with Visa which then discussed the feasibility of the plan with a local bank.
To a question, he said Matta initiated the talk of issuing a prepaid travel card with Visa which then discussed the feasibility of the plan with a local bank.
“We are now waiting for the team to finalise the mechanism of the plan and the approval from Bank Negara,” Mohd Khalid told newsmen after the Matta Fair 2006 prize presentation ceremony at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
“The Matta travel card will facilitate the card owners to go cashless while travelling,” he said.
According to Mohd Khalid, the travel card owners could withdraw money from ATMs nationwide and make payment at Visa-accepted places.
According to Mohd Khalid, the travel card owners could withdraw money from ATMs nationwide and make payment at Visa-accepted places.
One of the features, he added, was that the balance in the prepaid travel card was interest-bearing, but they were still finalising the details.
The travel card, he said, was part of Matta's Visit Malaysia Year 2007 promotions.
“We are also planning to have a Matta lounge in KLIA so that we can be more organised and we are now talking with MAB (Malaysia Airports Bhd),” he said.
Mohd Khalid said Matta Travel Exchange would be held here to bring together buyers and sellers in the tourism industry.
“We want to showcase Malaysia and invite them here to see for themselves the tourism products and services available in our country,” he said, adding that it might be organised in March next year.
Asked on the claim that Malaysia was not fully ready for VMY 2007, he said all the relevant authorities and industry players had taken note of the concerns raised.
“We are trying to overcome them by taking appropriate action and we will take care of them,” he said.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Eastern & Oriental Bhd found a powerful US-based investor
Goldman Sachs acquires 5.5% of E&O
By YEOW POOI LING
PETALING JAYA: Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) found a powerful investor in US-based investment bank Goldman Sachs which disclosed to Bursa Malaysia it bought a 5.5% interest in the company on the open market.
Analysts who cover the stock said the American bank's interest was likely to be due to E&O's attractive exposure to property development as well as its construction and hospitality business.
E&O's two listed subsidiaries are its property arm E&O Property Bhd and construction arm Putrajaya Perdana Bhd.
The jewel in the group is its residential development with sea frontage on 980 acres of reclaimed land on Penang island. This is its Seri Tanjung Pinang project.
A head of research at a local brokerage said the hospitality business could also potentially be a strong contributor given E&O’s ownership of the renowned Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang.
E&O also aims to “build more of its own hotels and provide hotel management services.”
The group's construction business operates quite independently.
“Putrajaya Perdana does not build any of E&O’s projects,” the head of research said.
“Goldman Sach’s shareholding in E&O gives a higher profile to the company,” he added.
An analyst at another brokerage said E&O provided a fair exposure to the sector.
He estimated the shares to be trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of nine times on fiscal year ending March 31, 2007’s earnings and eight times of 2008.
E&O undertook a streamlining exercise at the end of last year. After expanding its interest in E&O Property into a subsidiary from associate-status previously, it moved on to list Putrajaya Perdana on Oct 18.
E&O chairman Datuk Azizan Abdul Rahman said in the 2006 annual report that the streamlining exercise would result in the E&O brand being leveraged and the group emerging as “a complete and competitive real estate in the marketplace.”
Goldman Sachs is a big investor in Asian stocks.
In Malaysia, it also held a substantial stake in DiGi.com Bhd.
E&O’s share price rose 2 sen to RM1.20 yesterday while units E&O Property eased 1 sen to RM1.31 and Putrajaya Perdana rose 3 sen to RM1.67.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By YEOW POOI LING
PETALING JAYA: Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) found a powerful investor in US-based investment bank Goldman Sachs which disclosed to Bursa Malaysia it bought a 5.5% interest in the company on the open market.
Analysts who cover the stock said the American bank's interest was likely to be due to E&O's attractive exposure to property development as well as its construction and hospitality business.
E&O's two listed subsidiaries are its property arm E&O Property Bhd and construction arm Putrajaya Perdana Bhd.
The jewel in the group is its residential development with sea frontage on 980 acres of reclaimed land on Penang island. This is its Seri Tanjung Pinang project.
A head of research at a local brokerage said the hospitality business could also potentially be a strong contributor given E&O’s ownership of the renowned Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang.
E&O also aims to “build more of its own hotels and provide hotel management services.”
The group's construction business operates quite independently.
“Putrajaya Perdana does not build any of E&O’s projects,” the head of research said.
“Goldman Sach’s shareholding in E&O gives a higher profile to the company,” he added.
An analyst at another brokerage said E&O provided a fair exposure to the sector.
He estimated the shares to be trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of nine times on fiscal year ending March 31, 2007’s earnings and eight times of 2008.
E&O undertook a streamlining exercise at the end of last year. After expanding its interest in E&O Property into a subsidiary from associate-status previously, it moved on to list Putrajaya Perdana on Oct 18.
E&O chairman Datuk Azizan Abdul Rahman said in the 2006 annual report that the streamlining exercise would result in the E&O brand being leveraged and the group emerging as “a complete and competitive real estate in the marketplace.”
Goldman Sachs is a big investor in Asian stocks.
In Malaysia, it also held a substantial stake in DiGi.com Bhd.
E&O’s share price rose 2 sen to RM1.20 yesterday while units E&O Property eased 1 sen to RM1.31 and Putrajaya Perdana rose 3 sen to RM1.67.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Swiss-Garden's 5-star rating
Swiss-Garden aims for 5-star rating
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD
KUANTAN: Swiss-Garden Resort and Spa Kuantan, located in Sungai Karang here, is investing RM8mil to upgrade its sea-facing rooms and several facilities.
The project will be carried out in two phases for completion in February.
According to its financial controller Quek Kooi Heng, construction would begin in two weeks and phase one would include work to upgrade the 124 sea-facing guest rooms at Zones A and C.
“Renovations are carried out in these units because they generate higher yields.
“Guests will always prefer rooms with sea view,” he said after a press preview on the new-look rooms and other facilities recently.
Other areas to get a new look were the lobby, entrance and coffee house, and would include a unique water feature with cascading water from the lobby to the coffee house, he said.
Quek said the resort would add a fine-dining restaurant offering western food and guests would have the choice of dining in an enclosed, air-conditioned area or al fresco.
On the second phase, Quek said it would involve the Beach Bar, to be relaunched as “Chill”.
The resort had also taken measures to limit disturbances to guests such as noise, dust and use of heavy machinery, he said.
“Disruption is limited to the relocation of the coffee house to the Hisbiscus Room on the ground floor.
“All services will operate as usual with no change to the opening hours and menu selection,” Quek said.
Once all upgrading work was completed, the resort would work towards raising its current four-star rating to five-star, with the target set at mid-2007, he said.
Quek said the renovated rooms would be priced 30% higher than current rates while the 176 non-sea view rooms would also see rates rising by 10% to 20% as the guests would also be able to enjoy better services and facilities after the upgrading exercise.
Swiss-Garden Resort and Spa Kuantan is part of the hotel division under developer PJ Development Holdings Bhd.
PJ Development owns two resorts in Kuantan and Damai Laut in Perak; two inns in Sungai Petani, Kedah and Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur; and a city hotel in Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.
News Source : STAR
Millions of tourists are expected to visit Malaysia in 2007
Tourism boom seen in 2007
By GOH EE KOON
PETALING JAYA: Millions of tourists are expected to visit Malaysia next year and tourism revenue, estimated to total RM35bil this year, is expected to increase at an even faster pace.
There would be a “grand launch” of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) on Jan 1, which would be followed by a host of events in every month next year.
Tourist arrivals had steadily risen from 3 million back in 1983 to about 16 million last year. Tourist spending has also risen, from just RM5bil back in 1990.
In VMY, tourist arrivals and spending are expected to rise to reach targets of 20 million and RM45bil respectively. This could produce significantly higher revenue for a wide range of companies from hotels and airlines to consumer goods.
Next year also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence and to ensure that this landmark VMY is a success, there would be 50 major activities spread out throughout the year. The events, varied in scope, have been lined up from February's Malaysia Open Golf Championship to the KL International Buskers Festival held in November.
The Government is expected to expend RM600mil in promotional activities, which are expected to peak in August (coinciding with the National Day), according to a note by a local bank-backed research house.
There are added incentives for tourists from overseas. A recent survey by Swiss banking group UBS AG ranked Kuala Lumpur as the top budget-friendly city in the world.
A UBS economist credited Malaysia's well-controlled inflation as a factor for its success in offering tourists looking for most bang for their buck.
VMY received added publicity in a centrespread in the weekend Wall Street Journal that had sent a journalist to find out how affordable Malaysia is. He found he had to pay just US$107 for a room in Shangri-La Hotel, for which price he would have gotten no more than the Salisbury YMCA in Hong Kong.
The bulk of the tourism dollars last year was spent on accommodation (33%), shopping (21%), and food and beverage, or F&B, (20%). The remaining 26% was taken up by organised tours, local ground transportation, entertainment, domestic airfares and miscellaneous spending.
Hence, the stocks targeted by analysts for growth in VMY are spread across a few sectors.
The tourism and hotel sectors stand to win big. Hotels can expect higher occupancy rates and F&B turnover, and there would be room to raise rates. Hotel workers would also benefit from their share of service taxes.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By GOH EE KOON
PETALING JAYA: Millions of tourists are expected to visit Malaysia next year and tourism revenue, estimated to total RM35bil this year, is expected to increase at an even faster pace.
There would be a “grand launch” of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) on Jan 1, which would be followed by a host of events in every month next year.
Tourist arrivals had steadily risen from 3 million back in 1983 to about 16 million last year. Tourist spending has also risen, from just RM5bil back in 1990.
In VMY, tourist arrivals and spending are expected to rise to reach targets of 20 million and RM45bil respectively. This could produce significantly higher revenue for a wide range of companies from hotels and airlines to consumer goods.
Next year also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence and to ensure that this landmark VMY is a success, there would be 50 major activities spread out throughout the year. The events, varied in scope, have been lined up from February's Malaysia Open Golf Championship to the KL International Buskers Festival held in November.
The Government is expected to expend RM600mil in promotional activities, which are expected to peak in August (coinciding with the National Day), according to a note by a local bank-backed research house.
There are added incentives for tourists from overseas. A recent survey by Swiss banking group UBS AG ranked Kuala Lumpur as the top budget-friendly city in the world.
A UBS economist credited Malaysia's well-controlled inflation as a factor for its success in offering tourists looking for most bang for their buck.
VMY received added publicity in a centrespread in the weekend Wall Street Journal that had sent a journalist to find out how affordable Malaysia is. He found he had to pay just US$107 for a room in Shangri-La Hotel, for which price he would have gotten no more than the Salisbury YMCA in Hong Kong.
The bulk of the tourism dollars last year was spent on accommodation (33%), shopping (21%), and food and beverage, or F&B, (20%). The remaining 26% was taken up by organised tours, local ground transportation, entertainment, domestic airfares and miscellaneous spending.
Hence, the stocks targeted by analysts for growth in VMY are spread across a few sectors.
The tourism and hotel sectors stand to win big. Hotels can expect higher occupancy rates and F&B turnover, and there would be room to raise rates. Hotel workers would also benefit from their share of service taxes.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Passport-free zones in Johor
Passport-free zones to boost tourist arrival in Johor
05 Nov 2006
Lau Meisan
JOHOR BARU, SUN:
Johor is expecting an influx of foreign tourists with the opening of two free access zones (FAZ) here. State Executive Councillor Freddie Long said the designated passport-free areas, will provide world-class entertainment and lifestyle facilities. "Currently Johor attracts 24,000 Singapore visitors a day.
With two FAZ next to the major entry points, Johor can expect an increase in tourist arrivals," he said. "It is an innovative idea. Foreign visitors could come, shop and dine, and even stay in a resort or hotel in the zone without having to go through the hassle of immigration clearance," he said.
News Source : New Strait Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
05 Nov 2006
Lau Meisan
JOHOR BARU, SUN:
Johor is expecting an influx of foreign tourists with the opening of two free access zones (FAZ) here. State Executive Councillor Freddie Long said the designated passport-free areas, will provide world-class entertainment and lifestyle facilities. "Currently Johor attracts 24,000 Singapore visitors a day.
With two FAZ next to the major entry points, Johor can expect an increase in tourist arrivals," he said. "It is an innovative idea. Foreign visitors could come, shop and dine, and even stay in a resort or hotel in the zone without having to go through the hassle of immigration clearance," he said.
News Source : New Strait Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The Accidental Chef
The accidental chef
Cheong Liew has fond memories of growing up here but he doesn’t miss the life he has left behind, as many in his family are also in Australia. But he certainly misses Malaysian food.
Cheong with his daughter Eugenia.His book My Food, co-authored with Elizabeth Ho, is filled with his groundbreaking recipes and anecdotes. It gives a romantic account of his growing-up years, learning the ropes in “Grandma’s kitchen”, his journey to Adelaide and how he made a name for himself as a self-taught chef.
Cheong with his daughter Eugenia.His book My Food, co-authored with Elizabeth Ho, is filled with his groundbreaking recipes and anecdotes. It gives a romantic account of his growing-up years, learning the ropes in “Grandma’s kitchen”, his journey to Adelaide and how he made a name for himself as a self-taught chef.
In 1969, Liew ventured to Melbourne to study electrical engineering. After a while, feeling lonely and homesick, he visited his brother who was studying in Adelaide and found the laid-back city and the people there “incredibly friendly”. Like many Malaysians who dream of Utopia, he eventually settled there.
“Adelaide is still nice and peaceful and is about same size as KL back in the 1970s. But now KL is six to seven times bigger but Adelaide hasn’t increased in size,” says Liew.
As a student trying to earn extra money, Liew worked in various pubs, railway cafés and restaurants in Melbourne and Adelaide that served everything from Greek, Italian and French, to Indian, Chinese and South-East Asian food. Besides learning from the various cooks, Liew also pored over cookbooks.
Australia in the mid-1970s was the right place and the right time for the budding chef and his ideas of combining Asian spices with Australian produce.
In 1975, he took over a restaurant called Neddy’s – dubbed a “natural Australian restaurant” – which, under his stewardship, promoted a multicultural attitude towards food. The restaurant that “Adelaide had been waiting for” dished up “Greek, Indian, Chinese, Malay and other dishes” to great successs.
But after 10 years, Liew gave up the restaurant business to teach at the Regency Hotel School in order to work regular hours and have a regular family life. He has four grown children now.
The shoplot in Unley — Pictures by JOHNNI WONGAfter seven years of teaching and learning about organisation and communication, Liew returned to the kitchen but this time as executive chef of The Grange restaurant at Hilton Adelaide. Currently, two of his daughters work with him at The Grange.
The shoplot in Unley — Pictures by JOHNNI WONGAfter seven years of teaching and learning about organisation and communication, Liew returned to the kitchen but this time as executive chef of The Grange restaurant at Hilton Adelaide. Currently, two of his daughters work with him at The Grange.
These days, when he is not overseeing the chefs at The Grange, Liew spends his time contributing ideas to the Australian media or sampling the culinary gems of other chefs who have also made Adelaide their home.
And why is Liew considered such an influential chef in Australia?
His current RM445 (A$159) Migration of Ideas: Sensory experience eight-course degustation menu at Hilton Adelaide includes his famous The Four Dances of the Sea starter comprising soused snook, raw calamari with squid ink noodles, octopus aioli and spiced prawn sushi.
His current RM445 (A$159) Migration of Ideas: Sensory experience eight-course degustation menu at Hilton Adelaide includes his famous The Four Dances of the Sea starter comprising soused snook, raw calamari with squid ink noodles, octopus aioli and spiced prawn sushi.
Apparently, Liew’s starter has been declared by The Sydney Morning Herald as an Australian “natural treasure”. The Japanese-style snook, Aussie/Asian-style raw squid, Greek-style octopus and Malay spiced prawn offer multiculturalism on a plate. – By Johnni Wong
News Source : STAR
Malaysia: The Truly Asian Kitchen
Getting into tourists’ hearts via the stomach
04 Nov 2006
PUTRAJAYA: The spicy aroma of Malaysian cooking will be spread around the world to attract tourists, increase agriculture exports and put the country on the gourmet map The government’s target is to have 8,000 Malaysian eateries worldwide by 2015 under the "Malaysia: The Truly Asian Kitchen" or "MalaysiaKitchen" programme, an initiative under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said MalaysiaKitchen would help the agriculture and tourism sectors by increasing exports of local food products and raw ingredients and increase tourist arrivals.
The restaurants will be used as centres to disseminate information on tourism and as bases to promote Malaysian cuisine, brands, products and handicrafts.The concept will also help Malaysia achieve its goal of being a net food exporter by 2010.
"This concept integrates our agriculture and tourism goals. The benefits to Malaysia may not be immediately tangible but will be in the way of improving Malaysia’s image and spreading our name. "
We hope it will attract tourists while increasing exports of our agriculture and agro-based products," Najib said after chairing the first meeting of the MalaysiaKitchen committee.
Ministries involved in the programme are Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development, International Trade and Industry and Finance.Najib said the government was only a facilitator in this programme and it was up to the private sector and entrepreneurs to make it succeed.Existing restaurateurs can get tax incentives and grants to open outlets abroad.
Najib said details on the full package of incentives were being finalised.New entrepreneurs can get up to 90 per cent financing at three per cent interest from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank Malaysia to open restaurants abroad as long as 70 per cent of the company’s shares are Malaysian-owned.
A seed fund of RM130 million has been given to Exim Bank for this purpose.Alternatively, entrepre- neurs who want to open restaurants overseas under the MalaysiaKitchen brand, can take part in a franchise by the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry. Najib said the ministry was ready to accept applications.Malaysian embassies and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) offices abroad will help restaurants in sourcing raw materials directly from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, with special air freight rates from Malaysia Airlines.
However, independent restaurants will not be forced to use the MalaysiaKitchen brand name, nor are they obliged to source raw ingredients and other materials from Malaysian suppliers.
"We want them to be creative. "They have to make business decisions and source their materials from wherever is cheapest. "We also will not be rigid about the menu as long as it is Malaysian cuisine and the restaurant has a Malaysian ambience," Najib said.
He urged established restaurants and eateries here to take up the offer.The governnment wants the bulk of Malaysian restaurants to be opened in North America and Europe.
The first MalaysiaKitchen franchise will open in Tokyo next month.
News Source : New Strait Times
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Hotel & Restaurant Supplies Sale
Hotel Restaurant Supplies for less!
Five-star hotel (currently undergoing extenstive refurbishment and renovation) offers commercial quality items at low cost. Ideal for restaurants, cares and pubs.
Available for bulk sale:
High Quality Crockery
China & Glassware
Restaurant Flatware
Silverware
Branded Pianos & Grand Pianos
To View & Purchase Items
3 & 4 November 2006
10am to 8pm
Baiduri & Berlian Courtrooms
Hotel Istana, BR Level
73 Jalan Raja Chulan
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 2141 9988 ext 3620 (Ms Pamela)
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Berjaya Hotels and Resorts Select Pelican System
Berjaya Hotels and Resorts Select Pelican System for its Central Reservation System
Oct 31, 06 1:57 am
Pelican System announces that it has entered CRS (Central Reservation System) agreement with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts – a division of Berjaya Land Berhad and a member of the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies, head quartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates 19 premier hotels and resorts worldwide, not inclusive of premier country clubs located in Malaysia.
Pelican Central Reservation system allows Berjaya Hotels & Resorts to manage rate, allotment and reservation efficiently. Rate and management distribution is uniquely designed so that hotels can provide an additional booking channel to its massive database of travel agent and corporate clients. This channel will be the choice of the future because of its flexibility, availability and efficiency.
Apart from providing booking engine capability to Berjaya Hotels & Resort‘s own website www.berjayahotels-resorts.com , Pelican also provide a user-friendly system to enhance “room search” experience, thus stimulating more online bookings. “Optimizing systems for online travel growth as the number of internet users steadily escalates, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts is confident that selecting Pelican System as its Central Reservation System provider will enhance our reservation and distribution channels capability” add Ms. Lynn Oh, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Berjaya Hotels Resorts.
“We are pleased to provide system to Berjaya Group, fast-growing hotel groups with specific strategy to attract its market business. As Berjaya Hotels & Resorts expand its properties rapidly, our proposed “online contracting” as part of the CRS shall enhance time and cost efficiency in dealing worldwide travel agent and corporate clients”, affirmed Mr. Hartono Liman – Director of Pelican System.
Ms. Lynn Oh, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts adds, “Providing convenience and meeting the needs of our travel agents and corporate clients is an ongoing process and Pelican System enhances this by allowing these clients instant confirmation of rates, allotments and reservations”. Berjaya Hotels & Resorts welcome all travel agent and corporate client to sign in via this link: http://www.reservation-system.net/MP/M347/M347-signup.aspx?HtlCCCode=HCC0600039
About Berjaya Hotel and ResortsBerjaya Hotels & Resorts is the leisure arm of Berjaya Land Berhad (201765-A), which is a subsidiary of Berjaya Group of Companies, a public listed Malaysian conglomerate. At present, the group operates 19 local and international hotels and resorts under its growing wing. Berjaya Group also owns and manages premier country clubs and several upmarket condominiums and service suites in Malaysia.
Berjaya Hotels & Resorts manages 12 premier hotels and resorts in the beautiful country of Malaysia, offering a myriad of exciting family getaways, attractive solutions for business conferences as well as ultimate seclusion for intimate escapes. The island and beach attractions are idyllically located on the magical Redang Island in Terengganu, the legendary Tioman Island in Pahang and the mythical Langkawi Island in state of Kedah. The breathtaking sunsets, powder-white beaches, crystal-clear waters, colourful underwater kingdom, unique architectural designs and friendly welcoming people are just a glimpse of our priceless Malaysia heritage.
About Pelican System Pelican System is an internet-based central hotel reservation system with software designed for hotels to manage online reservations (whether made directly by guests or through travel agents and corporate clients).
Pelican System - Hotel reservation System - offers a wide range of generic products, such as a booking engine/reservation system for your website, a central reservation system, GDS/IDS Connectivity and call center reservation system, all featuring customized upgrading and optional features to specially meet each hotel’s needs and requirements.
Contact Person:
Linda Husin
Marketing and Promotion Manager
www.pelicansystem.com
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Oct 31, 06 1:57 am
Pelican System announces that it has entered CRS (Central Reservation System) agreement with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts – a division of Berjaya Land Berhad and a member of the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies, head quartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates 19 premier hotels and resorts worldwide, not inclusive of premier country clubs located in Malaysia.
Pelican Central Reservation system allows Berjaya Hotels & Resorts to manage rate, allotment and reservation efficiently. Rate and management distribution is uniquely designed so that hotels can provide an additional booking channel to its massive database of travel agent and corporate clients. This channel will be the choice of the future because of its flexibility, availability and efficiency.
Apart from providing booking engine capability to Berjaya Hotels & Resort‘s own website www.berjayahotels-resorts.com , Pelican also provide a user-friendly system to enhance “room search” experience, thus stimulating more online bookings. “Optimizing systems for online travel growth as the number of internet users steadily escalates, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts is confident that selecting Pelican System as its Central Reservation System provider will enhance our reservation and distribution channels capability” add Ms. Lynn Oh, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Berjaya Hotels Resorts.
“We are pleased to provide system to Berjaya Group, fast-growing hotel groups with specific strategy to attract its market business. As Berjaya Hotels & Resorts expand its properties rapidly, our proposed “online contracting” as part of the CRS shall enhance time and cost efficiency in dealing worldwide travel agent and corporate clients”, affirmed Mr. Hartono Liman – Director of Pelican System.
Ms. Lynn Oh, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts adds, “Providing convenience and meeting the needs of our travel agents and corporate clients is an ongoing process and Pelican System enhances this by allowing these clients instant confirmation of rates, allotments and reservations”. Berjaya Hotels & Resorts welcome all travel agent and corporate client to sign in via this link: http://www.reservation-system.net/MP/M347/M347-signup.aspx?HtlCCCode=HCC0600039
About Berjaya Hotel and ResortsBerjaya Hotels & Resorts is the leisure arm of Berjaya Land Berhad (201765-A), which is a subsidiary of Berjaya Group of Companies, a public listed Malaysian conglomerate. At present, the group operates 19 local and international hotels and resorts under its growing wing. Berjaya Group also owns and manages premier country clubs and several upmarket condominiums and service suites in Malaysia.
Berjaya Hotels & Resorts manages 12 premier hotels and resorts in the beautiful country of Malaysia, offering a myriad of exciting family getaways, attractive solutions for business conferences as well as ultimate seclusion for intimate escapes. The island and beach attractions are idyllically located on the magical Redang Island in Terengganu, the legendary Tioman Island in Pahang and the mythical Langkawi Island in state of Kedah. The breathtaking sunsets, powder-white beaches, crystal-clear waters, colourful underwater kingdom, unique architectural designs and friendly welcoming people are just a glimpse of our priceless Malaysia heritage.
About Pelican System Pelican System is an internet-based central hotel reservation system with software designed for hotels to manage online reservations (whether made directly by guests or through travel agents and corporate clients).
Pelican System - Hotel reservation System - offers a wide range of generic products, such as a booking engine/reservation system for your website, a central reservation system, GDS/IDS Connectivity and call center reservation system, all featuring customized upgrading and optional features to specially meet each hotel’s needs and requirements.
Contact Person:
Linda Husin
Marketing and Promotion Manager
www.pelicansystem.com
News Source : Ehotelier
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Sheraton's Pure Rooms
Getting rid of pesky bugs in hotel rooms
By RASHVINJEET S. BEDI
Andersson: ‘Our process can maintain the hygienic conditions for extended periods of time’THE Subang Sheraton Hotel calls them the Pure rooms. These are allergy-friendly rooms that have been treated to minimise irritants such as mould spores, yeast, bacteria, pollen, dust mites and odours.
The hotel charges a premium of RM50 for each of its 10 “Pure” rooms.
“The response has been good, with many people wanting to stay in the rooms,” said Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng, the hotel's general manager.
Sheraton plans to convert another 17 rooms by December. And if the concept shows further response, two floors of “Pure” rooms could be a reality.
“Anyone can make a room totally sterile. The problem is the recontamination process when you close the door and walk away. For example, mould spores can reappear in 24 hours,” said Goran Andersson, CEO of the American-based Pure Solutions.
Following requests from the hotel industry for a system to wipe out contamination, Pure Solutions spent more than US$1mil on research, working with American universities and laboratories.
“Our process can maintain the hygienic conditions for extended periods of time by using certain tools, equipment and chemicals. We did some tests with universities back home and 180 days after conversion, the room got much cleaner,” claimed Andersson.
There are more than 2,000 pure rooms worldwide including in China, Thailand and Singapore. The demand in Asia for the rooms is growing especially with the problems of SARS, bird-flu and haze.
In Malaysia, Enviroverks (M) Sdn Bhd has a joint venture with Pure Solutions to distribute the system.
A room takes one day to be converted with no change to the day-to-day operations for housekeeping and maintenance. The system itself has to undergo maintenance every three months.
Enviroverks CEO Nitesh Malani said the company hopes to tap into the government’s enthusiasm of developing the biotechnology sector.
“Under biotech, the microbiology technology is one of the focus areas. We plan to collaborate with local universities and hotel schools for research and development. We hope to develop the existing system further,” he said.
1. The air-handling unit is cleaned and sanitised. Anti microbial treated filters and tea tree oil (TTO) deodoriser is installed. TTO gives the room a mild scent.
2. Dirt, bacteria and mould are cleaned off surfaces of upholstery and carpet.
3. A bacteria static barrier is applied to all room surfaces to repel micro-organisms.
4. High-shock ozone treatment kills mould, yeast and bacteria. It also removes odours caused by cigarettes, cigars and animals.
5. The 24-hour system air purifier (Class 2 medical device) recycles air and kills microorganisms.
6. Allergy-friendly bed casings are fitted to mattresses and pillows.
Maintenance is conducted every three months. This includes inspection of general room conditions, changing filter in the air handling unit and air purifier, upholstery cleaning and replacement of TTO canister.
News Source : STAR New Strait Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
By RASHVINJEET S. BEDI
Andersson: ‘Our process can maintain the hygienic conditions for extended periods of time’THE Subang Sheraton Hotel calls them the Pure rooms. These are allergy-friendly rooms that have been treated to minimise irritants such as mould spores, yeast, bacteria, pollen, dust mites and odours.The hotel charges a premium of RM50 for each of its 10 “Pure” rooms.
“The response has been good, with many people wanting to stay in the rooms,” said Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng, the hotel's general manager.
Sheraton plans to convert another 17 rooms by December. And if the concept shows further response, two floors of “Pure” rooms could be a reality.
“Anyone can make a room totally sterile. The problem is the recontamination process when you close the door and walk away. For example, mould spores can reappear in 24 hours,” said Goran Andersson, CEO of the American-based Pure Solutions.
Following requests from the hotel industry for a system to wipe out contamination, Pure Solutions spent more than US$1mil on research, working with American universities and laboratories.
“Our process can maintain the hygienic conditions for extended periods of time by using certain tools, equipment and chemicals. We did some tests with universities back home and 180 days after conversion, the room got much cleaner,” claimed Andersson.
There are more than 2,000 pure rooms worldwide including in China, Thailand and Singapore. The demand in Asia for the rooms is growing especially with the problems of SARS, bird-flu and haze.
In Malaysia, Enviroverks (M) Sdn Bhd has a joint venture with Pure Solutions to distribute the system.
A room takes one day to be converted with no change to the day-to-day operations for housekeeping and maintenance. The system itself has to undergo maintenance every three months.
Enviroverks CEO Nitesh Malani said the company hopes to tap into the government’s enthusiasm of developing the biotechnology sector.
“Under biotech, the microbiology technology is one of the focus areas. We plan to collaborate with local universities and hotel schools for research and development. We hope to develop the existing system further,” he said.
Pictures:
a. An air purifier placed in the Pure Room ensures good air quality.
b. Anildeep points to the chlorine filter attached to the bathroom’s shower head.
c. Sheraton Subang’s special touch to rooms: an aromatherapy oil burner.
d. Anildeep and Jasmine show the special covers made for the bed’s mattress.
1. The air-handling unit is cleaned and sanitised. Anti microbial treated filters and tea tree oil (TTO) deodoriser is installed. TTO gives the room a mild scent.
2. Dirt, bacteria and mould are cleaned off surfaces of upholstery and carpet.
3. A bacteria static barrier is applied to all room surfaces to repel micro-organisms.
4. High-shock ozone treatment kills mould, yeast and bacteria. It also removes odours caused by cigarettes, cigars and animals.
5. The 24-hour system air purifier (Class 2 medical device) recycles air and kills microorganisms.
6. Allergy-friendly bed casings are fitted to mattresses and pillows.
Maintenance is conducted every three months. This includes inspection of general room conditions, changing filter in the air handling unit and air purifier, upholstery cleaning and replacement of TTO canister.
News Source : STAR New Strait Times
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Saturday, October 28, 2006
La Classic Culinary Grand Prix 2006's Champion
Lecturer retains culinary titleTAYLOR’S School of Hospitality & Tourism chef lecturer Patrick Siau defended his championship title. He outshone five other finalists at the La Classic Culinary Grand Prix 2006 (2nd Edition) held recently at the French Culinary School in Asia.
Siau took home a trophy, RM5,000 and an additional RM1,000 for best main course. His fellow competitors included colleague chef lecturer Chong Wei Tzeh, Michael Elfwing of Senses Restaurant at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Fadill Mohamed Hanif of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kamarudin Norhilme of Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur and Eric Siew from Hilton Kuala Lumpur.
First held in 2004, the La Classic Culinary Grand Prix is a top-class culinary competition for professional chefs.
It is organised by the French Culinary School in Asia and Classic Fine Foods Sdn Bhd to create a benchmark for Malaysian culinary excellence.
“This year’s competition was even tougher than last year’s, so winning it again is definitely a great honour,” said Siau.
During the grand finale, all six contestants were required to prepare a starter, main course and a compulsory dessert dish for six persons within four hours.
And in the quintessential Iron-Chef style challenge, they were given a mystery market basket from which they had to create a freestyle contemporary starter and main course.
Each dish was judged on originality, creativity, innovation, presentation and taste.
Judges also graded the contestants on their cooking and organisational skills, product optimisation, hygiene, leadership and professionalism.
Among the technical judges were President of the Jury Chef Ronald Peitruszka from Ritz Carlton Bali, Chef Philippe Daue from Shangri-La Bangkok and Chef Stefan Mueller from Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, while the tasting panel of judges comprised gourmets and patrons of the KL fine dining restaurant scene Datuk Kok Wei Kiat, Flavours magazine editor Julie Wong, chef consultant Sita Jayadeva and F&B Facilities general manager Rick Chee.
Siau’s winning creations – Goat cheese tart with baby beetroot, Lamb roulade with glaze vegetables, puy lentils and lamb sauce and Frozen chocolate parfait with can-died tomato, caramelised apple and white chocolate sauce – earned him the title of champion, a trophy and RM5,000.
He also won an additional RM1,000 for best main course.
News Source : STAR
RM30m facelift for PJ Hilton rooms
RM30m facelift for PJ Hilton rooms
BY NICK LEONG
PETALING JAYA: Hilton Petaling Jaya, which has just spent RM7mil to renovate its ground floor, plans to pump in at least RM30mil more to refurbish its rooms.
Business development director Markus Kaliss said the hotel had proposed to pay between RM60,000 and RM65,000 per room pending approval.
“We have various scenarios for refurbishment because we can only do it in phases and don't forget, next year is Visit Malaysia Year 2007,” he told StarBiz recently.
He said PJ Hilton last refurbished its rooms two to three years ago at about RM50,000 per room.
PJ Hilton consists of a 10-storey West Wing and a 21-storey East Wing and has a total of 553 rooms. The first international hotel in Petaling Jaya also operates four restaurants and one lobby lounge cafe – the Paya Serai Restaurant, Toh Yuen Restaurant, Genji Japanese Restaurant, Uncle Chilli's Restaurant and Caffe Cino.
Kaliss said the ground-floor renovation would be completed by year-end.
“The reception area is completed and it is more spacious and luxurious,” he said.
He said the completely rebuilt Uncle Chilli's was expected to start operations early next month.
Kaliss said PJ Hilton looked forward to Visit Malaysia Year 2007, and commended the Government for its initiative to boost the tourism industry.
However, he was concerned about the emphasis on cheap products and discounts.
“When the activities are price-driven, we will never get good quality. In the long run, hotels will not be able to continue giving the best service,” he added.
Kaliss said PJ Hilton expected revenue to grow about 10% next year.
“We expect room rates this year to finish at about RM200 (a night) and increase to RM215 to RM220 next year, which is good compared with international standards,” he added.
He said the hotel had an average occupancy rate of about 76%, with most guests being business travellers.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
BY NICK LEONG
PETALING JAYA: Hilton Petaling Jaya, which has just spent RM7mil to renovate its ground floor, plans to pump in at least RM30mil more to refurbish its rooms.
Business development director Markus Kaliss said the hotel had proposed to pay between RM60,000 and RM65,000 per room pending approval.
“We have various scenarios for refurbishment because we can only do it in phases and don't forget, next year is Visit Malaysia Year 2007,” he told StarBiz recently.
He said PJ Hilton last refurbished its rooms two to three years ago at about RM50,000 per room.
PJ Hilton consists of a 10-storey West Wing and a 21-storey East Wing and has a total of 553 rooms. The first international hotel in Petaling Jaya also operates four restaurants and one lobby lounge cafe – the Paya Serai Restaurant, Toh Yuen Restaurant, Genji Japanese Restaurant, Uncle Chilli's Restaurant and Caffe Cino.
Kaliss said the ground-floor renovation would be completed by year-end.
“The reception area is completed and it is more spacious and luxurious,” he said.
He said the completely rebuilt Uncle Chilli's was expected to start operations early next month.
Kaliss said PJ Hilton looked forward to Visit Malaysia Year 2007, and commended the Government for its initiative to boost the tourism industry.
However, he was concerned about the emphasis on cheap products and discounts.
“When the activities are price-driven, we will never get good quality. In the long run, hotels will not be able to continue giving the best service,” he added.
Kaliss said PJ Hilton expected revenue to grow about 10% next year.
“We expect room rates this year to finish at about RM200 (a night) and increase to RM215 to RM220 next year, which is good compared with international standards,” he added.
He said the hotel had an average occupancy rate of about 76%, with most guests being business travellers.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Friday, October 27, 2006
Persada Johor convention hub to help raise city hotel rates
Persada Johor convention hub to help raise city hotel rates
S Puvaneswary
Kuala Lumpur (2006-10-26)
THE Persada Johor International Convention Centre, which officially opened in Johor Bahru on October 16, is expected to be a catalyst for the growth of the state's hotel industry. It is the first purpose-built International Convention Centre in Johor and south of Kuala Lumpur and given the advantage of its strategic location - a mere five-minute drive to the Causeway and 30 minutes from Senai Airport - gives it the advantage of tapping into both the Singapore and southern peninsular MICE markets.
"At present, there are insufficient rooms to support the potential MICE business," Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Johor Chapter chairman, Mr John Roozemond, who is also Persada Johor's managing director, said.
There are 206 hotels of all categories in Johor with 9,892 rooms. Of these, 28 are star-rated hotels. The average room occupancy rate is between 60 and 70 per cent.
The average rates stand at RM130 (US$35.35) for city hotels, and city hoteliers hope these rates will increase to RM170 (US$46.24) by end 2007.
Source : TTG Asia
PJICC : http://www.persadajohor.com/
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
S Puvaneswary
Kuala Lumpur (2006-10-26)
THE Persada Johor International Convention Centre, which officially opened in Johor Bahru on October 16, is expected to be a catalyst for the growth of the state's hotel industry. It is the first purpose-built International Convention Centre in Johor and south of Kuala Lumpur and given the advantage of its strategic location - a mere five-minute drive to the Causeway and 30 minutes from Senai Airport - gives it the advantage of tapping into both the Singapore and southern peninsular MICE markets.
"At present, there are insufficient rooms to support the potential MICE business," Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Johor Chapter chairman, Mr John Roozemond, who is also Persada Johor's managing director, said.
There are 206 hotels of all categories in Johor with 9,892 rooms. Of these, 28 are star-rated hotels. The average room occupancy rate is between 60 and 70 per cent.
The average rates stand at RM130 (US$35.35) for city hotels, and city hoteliers hope these rates will increase to RM170 (US$46.24) by end 2007.
Source : TTG Asia
PJICC : http://www.persadajohor.com/
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Kuala Lumpur is Cheapest City
KL the least expensive city
PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur is the least expensive city in the world for Western tourists.
A survey of 71 cities worldwide by Swiss banking giant UBS found that Malaysia's capital has the most competitive prices when it comes to food, electronic goods, clothes, public transport, hotel rates and entertainment.
A survey of 71 cities worldwide by Swiss banking giant UBS found that Malaysia's capital has the most competitive prices when it comes to food, electronic goods, clothes, public transport, hotel rates and entertainment.
A five-star hotel room in Kuala Lumpur costs an average US$150 (RM551) compared to with US$450 (RM1,647) for a similar room in New York. The most expensive is Tokyo, where the rate is US$510 (RM1,866).
For a room in a two- or three-star hotel, the rate in Kuala Lumpur is about US$50 (RM183), compared with US$250 (RM915) in New York.
Comparable hotel room prices are found in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Bogota (Colombia) or Nairobi (Kenya) but if a tourist wants to have a short stay including a city tour, Kuala Lumpur is still the cheapest.
The UBS survey put together a basket of goods consisting of an overnight stay for two in a first-class hotel, two dinners with a bottle of house red wine, one taxi ride, a 100km trip in a rented car, two outings to the theatre by public transport and miscellaneous expenses.
It found that one only has to pay US$260 (RM951) for the package in Kuala Lumpur compared with US$920 (RM3,367) in New York.
After Kuala Lumpur, the survey found the next cheapest city to be Manila, where a similar package costs US$330 (RM1,207).
The most expensive city in this category is London where the cost is US$1,180 (RM4,318).
Taxi fares in Kuala Lumpur are also one of the cheapest in the world at US$1.60 (RM5.88) for a 5km trip within the city. A similar trip in New York costs US$11.60 (RM42).
Food prices in Kuala Lumpur are considerably lower than in other cities, with a three-course meal in a good restaurant costing US$12 (RM44) for one person.
As for car prices, a Ford Focus in New York or a Peugeot 206 in Buenos Aires costs less than a Proton in KL. However, fuel prices in Kuala Lumpur are the cheapest among all the cities surveyed.
Apartment rent in Kuala Lumpur is also the cheapest. An unfurnished 3-room apartment in Kuala Lumpur goes for about US$480 (RM1,756) compared with US$5,870 (RM21,484) in New York.
As for wages, KL is still far behind, with an average hourly gross wage (calculated across 14 professions) of US$3.60 (RM13), lower than the Asian average of US$5 (RM18). The average hourly wage in Europe and the United States is US$16-US$17 (RM57-RM61).
Kuala Lumpur folks clock about 16 more days a year than their Western counterparts.
News Source : STAR NST
Thursday, October 26, 2006
FIGO : Largest Convention in Malaysia
A Malaysian record for number of event participants
KUALA LUMPUR -Malaysia’s biggest conference has achieved its target of 8,000 participants for the 18th triennial congress of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) that will be held in this city from November 5 to 10.
The gynaecologists and obstetricians are coming from 130 countries and territories.
During the visit, International delegates are expected to “inject some RM80 million into the Malaysian economy”, according to local organising committee chair Dr. Abdul Aziz Yahya.
The congress is being organised by the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM).
FIGO webpage : http://www.figo2006kl.com/
Source : TravelWeekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR -Malaysia’s biggest conference has achieved its target of 8,000 participants for the 18th triennial congress of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) that will be held in this city from November 5 to 10.
The gynaecologists and obstetricians are coming from 130 countries and territories.
During the visit, International delegates are expected to “inject some RM80 million into the Malaysian economy”, according to local organising committee chair Dr. Abdul Aziz Yahya.
The congress is being organised by the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM).
FIGO webpage : http://www.figo2006kl.com/
Source : TravelWeekly
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
2006's World's Sexiest Hotels
Sexy, Inc. Announces "2005-2006 World's 100 Sexiest Hotels List"
Oct 26, 06 2:04 am
Oct 26, 06 2:04 am
Sexy, Inc. Has Released Its Second Annual Listing of the World's 100 Sexiest Hotels
Marc Holland, founder of Sexy, Inc., said, "Over 500 properties were evaluated and winners were chosen according to style, architecture, ambiance, service, mood, and emotion."
Holland added, "Defining 'sexy' was the fun part of the job. Sexy has nothing to do with price, size, or reputation, but rather how all those elements come together to create a sensual experience that evokes a feeling of true transcendence for the guest."
"Sexy can't be faked," says Holland, "A hotel or resort is either sexy or it's not. There are no in-betweens. Sexy could be a desert mega-resort, a sleek New York City business hotel, a Malaysian seaside resort, or a safari camp."
Highlighted properties include Rattray's in South Africa, Bleibtreu in Berlin, The Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, California, Navutu Stars Resort in Fiji, Costa Rica Marriott in Costa Rica and many more.
Jeff Johnson, V.P. of Marketing for the Montage Resort & Spa, says, "We are very pleased to have been chosen as one of the World's Sexiest Hotels. We are a romantic and elegant getaway and want to evoke a relaxed experience for all the senses."
Julia Poppe, Director of Marketing, Bleibtreu Hotel, said, "We are very proud to again be affiliated with the exclusive worldwide circle of 'Sexiest Hotels.' The love for the smallest detail and our drive to constantly improve and tend our sincere service is part of our trait which is appreciated by our guests. Since the opening of the Bleibtreu, which literally translates 'Remain Faithful,' many of our guests have been loyal."
World's 100 Sexiest Hotels is a luxury travel-ranking co-venture between Sexy, Inc., Sky Radio & Video and SkyAuction.com, a leading online travel auction company.
1. Navutu Stars Resort, Fiji
2. Rattray's on Mala Mala, South Africa
3. The Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Amanpulo Resort, The Philippines
5. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California
6. Hotel de l'Europe, Amsterdam
7. Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California
8. Roger Williams, New York, New York
9. The Lalu, Taiwan
10. Costa Rica Marriott, San Jose, Costa Rica
2. Rattray's on Mala Mala, South Africa
3. The Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Amanpulo Resort, The Philippines
5. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California
6. Hotel de l'Europe, Amsterdam
7. Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California
8. Roger Williams, New York, New York
9. The Lalu, Taiwan
10. Costa Rica Marriott, San Jose, Costa Rica
Holland says, "The winners that we've spoken to are all thrilled with being selected for the list. They are used to winning awards, but the 'Sexiest' award is something they are unusually proud of."
Malaysia has one hotel listed too, its the Mandarin Oriental! Check it out in the SexiestHotels.com webpage.
Source: SexiestHotels.com
Shang - Best desserts and pastries in town
Pastry chef with an eye for trends
By VIVIENNE PAL
Schanzl taking great pains to craft his desserts according to current trends.
By VIVIENNE PAL
Schanzl taking great pains to craft his desserts according to current trends. FOOD is quite like fashion and like the consummate designer, Werner Schanzl takes note of culinary trends to come up with the latest pastries.“Pastry recipes are hundreds of years old; what keeps the pastries current are the trends because there is a good market for pastries even in Malaysia – the variety of Nyonya kuih you find here is indication enough,” said Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur's newest executive pastry chef who came on board the hotel a month ago.
The 32-year-old Austrian-born has had a deep love for the art of confectionery since his teenage years, and his flair for confectionery, sugar craft and wedding cakes has taken him to Germany, Austria, Monaco, Qatar and the Philippines, as well as on board the Celebrity Cruise Lines of Miami and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines of Miami.
“What makes a good pastry or dessert – besides it keeping with the current trend and preferences of the people – is presentation, taste and a good combination of flavours,” he explained, adding that he had also been getting used to the food culture in Malaysia.
Since coming on board, Schanzl has been busy introducing new food concepts, pastries, breads, cakes and desserts (his “playground” includes the Lemon Garden, Lemon Garden 2Go and Cinnamon outlets), making changes and learning how to make local kuih.
“It's been interesting but busy, busy, busy since I got here. I'm starting with a whole new set of pastries, breads in all the outlets beginning with Lemon Garden 2Go,” said the chef whose day is choc-a-bloc from 8am to 10pm.
Schanzl is in charge of making 10 to 12 different types of pastries daily, which include breads and cakes, as well as homemade compotes, jellies, chocolates, sherbets and ice creams.
Currently, he is working on cakes for the upcoming festive seasons, including a pumpkin cake for Halloween and traditional log cakes for Christmas.
Currently, he is working on cakes for the upcoming festive seasons, including a pumpkin cake for Halloween and traditional log cakes for Christmas.
While Schanzl is adamant on making huge ripples in the hotel where pastries are concerned, there are a few challenges in his path – all of which he plans to take in his stride.
“The chefs are mostly very young and eager to learn, but they come and go. It's this constant re-training of new staff that can be tedious, but that's something we have to face.”
Ultimately, Schanzl's mission in the next two years is to leave his mark at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“I don't want Shangri-La to be known only for its nice rooms. I
want it to be the benchmark for the best desserts and pastries in town.”
News Source : STAR
20% of Chefs are Women!
Girls want to dish it out, too
By BAVANI M
Photos by SAM THAM and T.K. LIM
By BAVANI M
Photos by SAM THAM and T.K. LIM
IT HAS never been easy for women to work or be accepted as leading chefs in leading hotels or restaurants. And, even if they did, it would have been twice as hard to get there compared with their male counterparts.
Nafisah ... ‘we have been short-changed’For Sabry Hassan, Novotel Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur's executive chef, the reason is quite plain.
Nafisah ... ‘we have been short-changed’For Sabry Hassan, Novotel Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur's executive chef, the reason is quite plain.“Being in charge of a kitchen with nearly a 100 staff under you is like being in charge of an army,” he said. “You must be in time, be quick with the work about you and must be meticulous.”
Sabri said should there be a banquet, then the top chef had to put in long hours.
“Woman cannot work under that kind of pressure as it takes a lot out of a person.”
Sabry may seem unkind to women’s capabilities, but he still has faith in their skills.
Sabry may seem unkind to women’s capabilities, but he still has faith in their skills.
“Women chefs are best suited for pastry work and the cold kitchen,” he said.
“These areas are where fine detailing and patience are important criteria as compared to the constantly busy hot kitchen.”
Sabry said women chefs were more sensitive and did not take criticisms as well as the men folk could.
“In my years of experience, a hard bang on the table to prove a point often results in bouts of tears from the fairer sex,” he said.
Michieletto ... ‘the scenario is like in a military’Concorde Hotel’s executive chef Arthur Heng agreed. He said it was especially hard in Asian culture.
Heng said male staff often found it uneasy in a department where a woman was the boss.
Michieletto ... ‘the scenario is like in a military’Concorde Hotel’s executive chef Arthur Heng agreed. He said it was especially hard in Asian culture.
Heng said male staff often found it uneasy in a department where a woman was the boss.
“Besides, one needs to possess a tough character and have confidence when dealing with their subordinates as the scene in a busy kitchen can sometimes get ugly with harsh words belted out often,” he said. “Feelings can easily be hurt.”
Senior chef de partie Azlina Othman, 38, of Concorde’s Melting Pot Cafe agreed that men did always hold senior positions in professional kitchens and that women had to work harder to make the mark.
“However, I do not agree that women can’t take pressure,” she said. “I have worked more than 16 hours at a stretch and I have given 100% to the task in hand.”
Azlina said she did feel sakit hati (hurt) when her male peers moved up in hierarchy instead of her.
“I did cry on the job, but that was when I was still new to the field,” said Azlina. “And, it only served to make me stronger and more resilient in my later years.”
Senior chef de partie-pastry Nafisah Mohd Ali, who heads a pastry team at Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur agrees.
“I feel that women have been short-changed in the culinary industry,” said the 34-year-old.
“It’s more challenging for us and we’re not treated any differently as we also have to carry heavy items and work long hours.”
Chefs Association of Malaysia vice-president Federico Michieletto said a chef’s job required commitment, and in some cases women chefs have to juggle with the commitment of taking care of their families.
“In a professional kitchen, the scenario can be rather like in a military where the head makes instant decisions and can take up operations in an instant. Usually men are able to do these better,” said Michieletto who is also TT Resources Bhd’s executive chef (Western Division).
While there are numerous women chefs in the industry, not many choose to work in a professional kitchen, preferring instead to teach or work in restaurants.
While there are numerous women chefs in the industry, not many choose to work in a professional kitchen, preferring instead to teach or work in restaurants.
“Of the 2,000 chefs registered with the association, 20% are women and
many are below the age of 25,” said Michieletto.
According to Sabry, there are more women then men enrolling in hospitality courses at colleges and universities.
“But, at the end of the day, not many of the women actually come out to work in the professional kitchen.''
Even if they did, they are most often than not single. Concorde Hotel’s Nafisah is a rare one. The mother of four said she had no problems juggling her job and her family, adding that her husband understood her work as he, too, worked long hours.
“We have a maid, and as such there really isn’t any problem,” said Nafisah.
Haslinda Nawi is the person in charge of Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur’s cold kitchen. The 33-year-old said work took up so much of her time that she hardly had a social life.
“There’s just no time for socialising or to go on dates.”
Sharifah Maria, who works as a demi chef for Prince Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur, is determined to make it as a professional chef.
Sharifah Maria, who works as a demi chef for Prince Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur, is determined to make it as a professional chef.
“We have to compete and work harder and I am willing to go the extra mile,” said the 31-year-old UiTM graduate.
“I’m take up cooking classes on my off days,” she said. “There’s just no time for anything else.”
Male chefs may dominate the kitchen in leading establishments. But, most of them look to women as their inspiration – their mothers.
“My mum has been a great influence,” said Michieletto. “In any case, I personally enjoy food cooked by women.”
News Source : Star
Hotel housekeeper bashed to death at home
Hotel housekeeper bashed to death at home
KUALA LUMPUR: A hotel housekeeper was killed in a brutal attack in her home in Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari here.
Asmira Samsuddin, 44, an Indonesian with permanent resident status, was attacked in her room on the second floor of a four-storey building at 5.40am on Tuesday.
According to the police, Asmira tried to flee but was chased by her attacker to the doorstep of one of her housemates. There, he bludgeoned her to death with a blunt object.
Her housemates, who were too afraid to come out at the time of the attack, later called the police.
Police are still investigating the cause of the murder.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
KUALA LUMPUR: A hotel housekeeper was killed in a brutal attack in her home in Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari here.
Asmira Samsuddin, 44, an Indonesian with permanent resident status, was attacked in her room on the second floor of a four-storey building at 5.40am on Tuesday.
According to the police, Asmira tried to flee but was chased by her attacker to the doorstep of one of her housemates. There, he bludgeoned her to death with a blunt object.
Her housemates, who were too afraid to come out at the time of the attack, later called the police.
Police are still investigating the cause of the murder.
News Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Reviews of Hotels in Malaysia
This is one very cool website that allows users to write up on their experience in any hotel in the world.I would also add that these views are all candid and directly from the hotel guests ~ and can be found on Trip Advisor which are totally unbiased as the website is not owned by a hotel or resort, however its owned by an online travel management company (expedia)
Check out the General Page on Reviews of some of the Top Hotels in Malaysia.
Trip Advisor's Reviews of Hotels in Malaysia - Click Here
And to make your task easier, if you are searching for a good hotel to stay in Kuala Lumpur, and you are not sure .. check out these reviews: (or actually even if you're not staying... I am sure u wanna check out these reviews!!) hehe
Reviews of TOP HOTELS in KL
- Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
- Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- Hilton Kuala Lumpur
- Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
- Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur
- Regent Kuala Lumpur
- Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel
- JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur
- Traders Hotel
Reviews of some TOP RESORTS in Malaysia
- Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
- The Andaman Langkawi
- The Datai Langkawi
- Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort
- Pangkor Laut Resort
- Club Med Cherating Beach
- Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort
- Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort
- Nexus Resort Karambunai
- Sutera Harbour Resort (The Pacific Sutera & The Magellan Sutera)
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]
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