More foreigners visiting Langkawi

This resort island is seeing more foreign toursits than local ones this year, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) tourism manager Megat Shahrul Azman Abas said.

He said the latest figures obtained from hotels showed that 55% of tourists here were foreigners. In previous years, local tourists accounted for 70% of arrivals, he said.

“Although domestic arrivals are on the rise, they are not as high as foreign arrivals, especially from India, Middle East and Europe. In the case of India, the growth can be attributed to the promotional campaign carried out in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai in the past two years.

“We also carried out numerous sales missions to the Middle East.”

Judging from the number of arrivals at 1.2 million during the first half of this year, he said Langkawi was on track to achieve 2.4 million tourist arrivals this year.

Some 2.36 million tourists visited the island last year.

Source : Bernama

[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Langkawi Register Three-fold Increase In Tourists From Singapore

Tourist arrivals from Singapore has registered a three-fold increase in the first six months says the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada).

Lada's Tourism manager Megat Shahrul Azman Abas said more than 100,000 tourists comprising Singaporeans and foreigners from the Island republic had visited Langkawi in the first six months.

He said the increase in tourist arrivals was due to a number of initiatives and promotions undertaken by Lada, including the Langkawi Travel Mart in Singapore last Thursday.

The programme was organised by Lada with cooperation from the Kedah branch of the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), Langkawi Tourists Association, Langkawi Hotels Association, Homestay Association, Tourism Malaysia in Singapore and the Malaysian Embassy.

Megat Shahrul said through the Travel mart, travel agents from Malaysia were able to strike a working relationship with travel agents from Singapore, to boost the tourism and travel industry.

"An increase in tourists will also boost the travel industry since most of the tourists used Silk Air Singapore, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia and Tiger Always to travel between Singapore and Langkawi while some used the ferry services," he told Bernama here Tuesday.

Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

12 Travel Sites Temporarily Closed To Tourists

Nine marine park islands and three islands off Langkawi, Terengganu and Pahang are closed to tourists from July 2 to Oct 31 due to coral bleaching.

Marine Parks Department director-general Abdul Jamal Mydin said the coral degradation, which was caused by global warming, was worse than in 1998.

He said in Langkawi, the authorities decided to close Teluk Wangi, Pantai Damai, and Coral Garden in Pulau Payar while in Terengganu - Pulau Redang, Teluk Bakau, Pulau Tenggol, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Perhentian Besar and Teluk Dalam.

There other islands are in Pahang, namely Pulau Rengis, Pulau Tumok and Pulau Soyak, he told a news conference after attending a meeting on the quagmire on Wednesday.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab was present.

He said the department had set up a committee comprising the Tourism Malaysia, the Public Works Department, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to look into the problem.

Abdul Jamal said more than 500,000 local and foreign tourists visited the marine parks every year.

On Pulau Payar, he said visitors to island would be reduced by 50 per cent to 200 as a controlled measure and to reduce stress on the coral reef.

Only three locations on Pulau Payar are closed to visitors, he said, adding that restriction on other islands had yet to be decided.



Source : bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

300 hotel rooms boost for Langkawi

The Baron Group, with five budget hotels in this tourist haven, is to invest RM20 million to build 300 rooms to meet growing demand for hotel rooms.

Managing Director Zailina Mohd Zain said 200 rooms will be built in Kuah and 100 in Pantai Cenang.

The group has a chain of three-star hotels and chalets in Kuah and Pantai Cenang, with a combined room capacity of 400.

The group's latest resort, de Baron Resort, near Pekan Rabu Complex in Kuah, which commenced operations in December last year, has 137 rooms.

Zailina told BERNAMA Langkawi often faced room shortage during festive seasons, school holidays and when international events are staged, hence the decision to build more rooms.

Currently, Langkawi has a cumulative 8,000 rooms from hotels, resorts, chalets and lodging houses, an additional 800 rooms from last year.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Kedah Chapter chairman Pishol Ishak said some 2.4 million local and foreign tourists are expected to visit Langkawi this year.

A total of 2.37 million tourists came to Langkawi last year.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Langkawi Facing Shortage Of Rooms

Langkawi is facing shortage of rooms to meet rising number of local and foreign tourists, particularly during school holidays and international events like Langkawi International Maritime Exhibition (Lima).

Kedah Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) chairman Pishol Ishak said the room increase from 7,200 last year to 8,000 currently was inadequate to meet demand from tourists.

He said inadequate rooms at hotels, resorts and chalets prompted many tourists to stay at homestay projects in kampungs while some had to sleep in cars and at bus stations.

Langkawi's latest hotel is the 154-room My Hotel in Kuah which opened only last week.

Spokesman Ku Azhar Ku Abdul Razak said My Hotel was set up by My Ferry, the Langkawi ferry operator.

"We offer "My Pakej" which comes complete with lodging and ferry service to visitors," he said.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Tadmansori Eyes RM2 Million In Hotel Revenue This Year

Tadmansori Hotel Resort Sdn Bhd, which operates the Nadias Inn Comfort Langkawi Hotel, expects its revenue to breach RM2 million this year.

Group Financial Controller of the parent company, Tadmansori Holding Sdn Bhd, Mohammad Hasbi Jaafar said the company had been experiencing steady revenue growth over the past three years.

"We recorded RM1.9 million in revenue last year and RM1.8 million in 2008," he said.

Hasbi said the target is achievable as Langkawi is a favorite tourism spot in Malaysia and Asia.

"Malaysians are still the major contributor in terms of tourists.However, there are several emerging segments like Singapore, China and Thailand.

"The most interesting segment for Langkawi is the Chinese market as the number of tourists from that country to Malaysia in general, is increasing yearly," he told Bernama in an interview, in conjunction with the MATTA Travel Fair 2010 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) from today till Sunday.

Langkawi registered a whooping 32,000 tourist arivals from China in 2009 and this figure is expected to increase this year.

"With the expected increase in tourist arrivals from China, we are eyeing to capture at least 20 per cent of the total," Hasbi added.

On the hotel's occupancy rate, he said the management expects to register an average of 60 per cent this year, compared to the 54 per cent in 2009.

"In order to boost growth, we will be joining hands with the Ministry of Tourism for a presence at the Beijing International Travel Expo, next month.

"We hope to get positive and concrete feedback from the Expo and Chinese tourists, this year," he added.

Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

MATTA Fair 2010 To Enhance Langkawi's Tourism Sector This Year

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Travel Fair 2010, or popularly known as the MATTA Travel Fair, is expected to boost Langkawi's tourism sector, this year.

The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Tourism Manager, Megat Shahrul Azman Abas said three million tourists are expected to visit the historical island, this year.

"This is an increase of approximately half a million from the 2.5 million tourist arrivals recorded last year.

"Malaysians are still the major contributor to this figure and Thailand, Singapore and China, follow suit.

The MATTA Fair 2010 is being held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) from Friday till Sunday.

In order to further boost Langkawi's tourism, LADA has come up with the "1Passport Langkawi". This is a document similar to a passport, which offers six major attractions in Langkawi at a single price.

The passport is being sold at LADA's booth at the MATTA Fair's Domestic Hall at RM40 for adults and RM25 for children.

The 1Passport Langkawi will cover the Langkawi Cable Car, Langkawi Wildlife Park, Langkawi Mahsuri Town, the Langkawi Craft Complex, the Underwater World Langkawi and "Galeria Perdana", a historical museum on Langkawi.

"It was launched at the MATTA Fair in September last year and we managed to sell about 1000 of it.

"As this is the second attempt, we are expecting to sell more than 2000 passports," Underwater World Langkawi Sdn Bhd's Assistant Manager for Marketing and Communications, Haizolsam Mustaffa said.

He added the passport has seen an increasing demand compared to the last fair and both the company and LADA are very confident of the sales target.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Ratings for island’s Tour Guides

The Tourism Ministry will introduce a rating system for tour guides in Langkawi, ranging from “A” to “AAA”.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the rating was to create value to the services provided by tour guides.
“For example, when a tourist comes here for four days and wishes to see all the products in the island, he will not hesitate to pay extra money if the tour guide can show him everything he wants to see within the period.
“This is an ‘AAA’ service because the guide is able to entertain the tourist despite the time constraints,” Dr Ng told newsmen after chairing a dialogue with tourism players and government departments here yesterday.

Great service: Dr Ng and Langkawi MP Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib (in pink shirt) posing for a photograph with tourism operators at the Lada Langkawi Complex in Langkawi Saturday. — Bernama

She said the ministry also planned to conduct Niche Tour Guide Apprenticeship Programme in Langkawi to train students who wished to become tour guides.
The programme was aimed at producing a group of tour guides focused on tourism products in Langkawi.
“At the moment, we have two types of tour guides – operating in and outside the city.
“Now we will have a third category, which is Langkawi tour guides specially dedicated to promote tourist products in Langkawi,” she added.
In a related matter, Dr Ng said that the ministry had asked the Langkawi Spa Association to train single mothers to work as therapists at spas on the island.
Dr Ng added that besides providing job opportunities for single mothers, this would also reduce the dependency of spa outlets on foreign masseurs.
“The association will work with the Langkawi Single Mothers Association to identify women who can be trained as therapist.”
Later, in Sepang, Dr Ng welcomed a proposal to reduce the duration of stay for Visa on Arrival holders from one month to just a few days.
“The security of the country is important,” she told reporters after introducing her new deputy Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit.
She was asked to comment on a report that the Government could resort to this to prevent the abuse of the facility introduced in 2006.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Sheraton Langkawi Recognised As Malaysia's Leading Resort

The Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort won the award in "Malaysia's Leading Resort" category at the World Travel Awards event in London last Saturday.

The hotel's sales and marketing director Stephanie Choi said the achievement was a proud one and raised the image of Langkawi as a world class tourist holiday destination.

"The hotel had previously won the Langkawi 2008 award for Outstanding Resort from the Langkawi Development Authority and the Langkawi Tourism body," she added, in a statement here, Friday.

The World Travel Awards is organised to give recognition as well as honour excellence in the global travel and tourism industry.

Stephanie also said that to ensure maximum satisfaction for its clients, the 238-room hotel will continue to enhance its services in line with the recognition just received.

This years voting was the highest in the history of the World Travel Awards, with 183,000 professionals voting to pick the best promoters of the travel, tourism, hospitality and services industry in Asia.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Villagers rewarded for success of tourism projects

The villagers of Sungai Kilim in Langkawi struck gold several years ago when foreigners were willing to pay up to RM200 for a boat ride to enjoy the natural view of their village.

Since then, they decided to work with the Government to develop agro-tourism products in their kampungs, which managed to lure over 10,000 tourists each month.

Their success story received government recognition when their village was picked as the winner for the Anugerah Ilham Desa 2009 last week.

Ilham Desa is a programme where villages are recognised for coming up with income generating products.

The prize presentation ceremony is held in a different state every year. This time around, it was held in Johor.

Kampung Sungai Kilim representative Ahmad Nizar Hanapiah said his team was happy to have been given the top honour and thanked all those involved.

“The idea for the project was initiated a few years ago when a tourist willingly paid one of the villagers RM200 for taking him around in a boat,” he said.

Nizar explained that the villagers expanded on the idea and started to come up with different tour packages that included trips to the nearby bat caves, eagle-watching, fish feeding and a sea tour.

“We now have a steady flow of tourists from Europe, the Middle East and Asia such as India, Pakistan, Japan and Taiwan,” he said.

He explained that some of the villagers were even attending English classes to be able to converse with the foreign visitors.

“We have already set up English tuition classes for primary and secondary students so that they have a better comprehension of the language,” he said, adding that many adults were also attending the lessons.

“Last year alone, our village welcomed more than 108,000 nature lovers and many in the cottage industry have benefitted from this tourism business,” he said.

He added that each package costs between RM200 and RM450.

Nizar is part of a team of 128 people handling the Kilim Geoforest Park project in Langkawi.

For their effort, the village received RM30,000 cash and RM20,000 for study tours overseas from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Second prize was presented to Kampung Gong Guchil in Terengganu business idea centred on traditional musical instruments, while the third place went to Kampung Mawai Baru, Johor who decided to develop the reserve land for mosques in the village.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin presented the awards.

In his speech, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that since the awards started nine years ago, a total of 171 villages nationwide had taken part.

The award was created as part of the Government’s aim to help village folk develop and increase their income through niche projects within their kampung, he said.





Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Berjaya hotels to get RM130m facelift

BERJAYA Hotels & Resorts, the leisure arm of Berjaya Land Bhd, will spend close to RM130 million to refurbish its six hotels in the country, says its chief.

The company operates the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, the Berjaya Tioman Resort, the Berjaya Redang Resort, the Berjaya Georgetown Hotel in Penang, Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang and the Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Chief executive officer Joseph Won said despite the current economic downturn, the properties have generally maintained its revenue per available room.

The four-star properties recorded an average occupancy rate of 66 per cent for the financial year ended April 30 2009.

Won said he is expecting more visitors to Langkawi, Redang and Tioman next year, as the economy improves and the company embarks on promoting its properties aggressively.

"Malaysia is a beautiful country and it has a lot to offer but it needs to be more focused in promoting local tourism in a more controlled and organised fashion.

"Malaysia needs a roadmap so that all players, including the government, will have something more firm to look at and follow," Won said.

Won said Berjaya Hotels is spending RM30 million to refurbish the 502 rooms at Berjaya Langkawi.

It will spend another RM25 million in the second or third quarter of 2010 to improve the public areas at the resort.

"We have been refurbishing the rooms since August. We want to improve the appeal of our resort so it could compete more effectively," Won told Business Times in an interview.

Berjaya Hotels will also spend RM70 million to upgrade its 670-room Berjaya Times Square Hotel, the company's best-performing city hotel, beginning first quarter of 2011.

At the same time, the company will conduct minor renovation at the Berjaya Redang Resort.

It will spend some RM7 million to refurbish the two food outlets, after spending RM35 million to upgrade its 220 rooms last year.

"We are proud of Berjaya Redang. The average room rate during the peak period is RM550 and due to high level of demand for rooms during this season, we are looking to raise the rates next year," Won said.





Source : Hotels
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Australia Langkawi's New Tourism Target

Australia is the Langkawi Development Authority's (Lada) next target to attract foreign tourists, after its success in Singapore, India and Germany.

Pishol Ishak, Kedah branch chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour and travel Agents (Matta), said that towards this end, the branch and Lada, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), would hold a roadshow in Australia in October to promote the resort island.
He said 43,000 Australians visited Langkawi last year and the number for the first six months this year was 15,000.

On the three-day mission to Singapore last month, he said it had been successful with many queries received from tour agencies there.
Lada statistics showed that 37,988 tourists from Singapore visited Langkawi last year compared with 34,643 in 2007, the fourth highest number, after tourists from the United Kingdom, Thailand and Australia, he said.

Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Langkawi To Attract More Singaporean Tourists

More than 60 hoteliers and travel agents will join a three-day mission to promote Langkawi in Singapore beginning Monday.

The chairman of Kedah's Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Pishol Ishak said he was confident the mission could attract more tourists from Singapore as many airlines fly directly to Langkawi from Singapore, such as AirAsia, Singapore' Silk Air and Malaysian Airlines.

"We chose Singapore with the hope that more than 100,000 tourists from that country as well as international travellers visiting Singapore would visit Kedah including Langkawi," he told reporters here Sunday.

Statistics from the Tourism Unit of the Langkawi Development Authority showed that almost 38,000 tourists from Singapore visited Langkawi last year compared to 34,000 tourists in 2007.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

LIMA 2009: This year's edition to double up as military & tourism event

The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima’09) this year will double up as both a military and a tourism event.

Defence minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid said a fly-past by the eight-engined B-52 Startorfortress, one of the best-known strategic bombers in the United States, will be one of the highlights at Lima’09.

“The air show will be carried out by Surya Kiran and the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team from the Indian Air Force while the backbone of the show will be aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

“We are proud to showcase our latest acquisition, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (submarine), and the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 CM jet trainer. A total of 94 aircraft and 80 ships are expected at Lima’09.’

He said the organisers had targetted 500 exhibitors with 270 companies from 22 countries with 45,000 trade visitors and 40,000 members of the public expected to attend Lima’09.

He earlier chaired the Lima’09 Cabinet Commiteee meeting and witnessed the official sponsors signing ceremony between HW LIMA Sdn Bhd and Malaysian Airlines which is the official airline and ground-handler.

MIMOS Smart Computing is the official IT provider.

MAS was represented by its senior general manager external relations, Capt Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang, Mimos by its chairman Datuk Abdul Latif Mirasa and HW LIMA Sdn Bhd by its managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is confident that this year’s Lima will be a lively despite worldwide economic gloom.

She said Lima’09 will be a platform to showcase the best of what “Malaysia Truly Asia” had to offer with Langkawi blessed with a wide choice of attractions in its beaches, islands, scenery, food and duty-free shopping.

She said the ministry was encouraging locals to open their homes to visitors in the wake of the shortage of rooms on the island.

“Daily pasar malam will be held at several locations in Langkawi to sell all kinds of things. There will be shuttle buses charging a minimum of RM1 to solve the transportation problem.

“We like to remind hoteliers to think of long-term benefits from repeat visitors instead of making a one-time ‘killing’.’

She recounted numerous reports of hotelliers charging exorbitant rates and imposing compulsory stays of up to seven nights in order to confirm bookings.

Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

An Iranian twin for Langkawi

THE Kedah Government will be working with the Iranian Government to conduct a twinning island promotion between Langkawi and Kish Island in Iran.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said the idea was discussed with Iranian ambassador to Malaysia Mahdi Khandaghabadi during a luncheon at Wisma Darulaman here yesterday.

He said it would involve promoting both islands in tou-rism packages and also direct flights between Langkawi and Kish.

“Our tourism officers will discuss the idea with their Iranian counterparts.

“I was told by the ambassador that tourism players in Iran are interested in promoting Langkawi and Kish as twinning island,” he told newsmen when met after the luncheon here.

Kish Island is a free trade island located in the Persian Gulf. The island has an estimated population of 20,000 residents and about 5.5mil people visited the island annually.

Azizan said Langkawi had huge potential to be promoted to tourists from Iran because both places have similarity in religion and culture.

He said Iran was also inte-rested to send its students to study in Kedah and to share its expertise in agriculture with the state government.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

More air links will boost tourism in Langkawi

More air links between Malaysia’s secondary cities and Asian countries will help boost the country’s tourism industry, said Transport Mi­­nister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

He said the move by AirAsia to provide daily direct flights between Singa­pore and Langkawi would help to pro­mote tourism on the duty-free island.

“Such air links also bring economic and social benefits to the people,” he said when announcing the Air­­Asia Langkawi-Singapore route yesterday.

Among those present were AirAsia Bhd chairman Datuk Abdul Aziz Bakar and the airline’s group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

The Singapore-Langkawi route will start on June 1, together with Penang-Singapore and the eighth frequency of Kuala Lumpur-Singapore.

Ong said the ministry welcomes any airline wanting to start air links be­­tween Langkawi and Asian countries.

However, he said the company must make sure that it was able to sustain the services.

He said AirAsia started the air link between Singapore and Kuala Lum­­­pur in November last year, followed by air links between Singapore and secondary cities in the countries.

Ong said the ministry was also prepared to explore possibilities of air routes between Langkawi and other international countries to stimulate the island’s economic growth.

Meanwhile, Fernandes hoped that hotels in Langkawi would work with the airline in promoting the island.

He said that so far seven hotels had joined forces with AirAsia to provide spe­­cial packages for Singapore-Lang­kawi passengers.

“Since the announcement of the new route, we received 50% booking for seats in June, especially during the school holidays,” he said.

Fernandes said AirAsia was offering free rooms in addition to its current promotion of one Singapore dollar for flights from Singapore to Langkawi and RM1 for flights between Langkawi and Singapore through its GoHoliday website

Source :
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

5 - 17 May : AirAsia The Great Singapore Sale

5 to 17 May 2009

AirAsia The Great Singapore Sale

From RM1

Fly to Singapore for the Great Singapore Sale and hunt for great bargains on Orchard Road, Marina Bay or even Bugis Street - Singapore’s main shopping hubs. Don’t miss out on this annual occasion, where the island is transformed into a shopping paradise.

Grab discounts up to 70% and satisfy your needs for items you’ve just been waiting to own.

Book From : 5 - 17 May 2009

Travel From : 29 May - 30 Sep 2009

FLY to Singapore from

Kuala Lumpur - Now 8 x Daily

Penang

Langkawi

Kuching

Kota Kinabalu

Visit AirAsia.com Now

Source : shoppingNsales
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Free Seats For Singapore-Langkawi & Penang-Singapore Routes

AirAsia is once more offering sweet deals to its guests, by offering free seats as introduction to its two new routes -- Singapore-Langkawi and Penang-Singapore.

These new routes will simultaneously commence on June 1, 2009 with daily services.

"By opening up these routes, we are looking forward to stimulating more travel and tourism activities which will definitely benefit the country's economy," said AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan, in a statement today.

"We always remain bullish that our low fares will help to stimulate and induce new travel demand, and will help boost tourism potential on both ends," she said.

The free seats deals are exclusively available online via AirAsia's website at www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia.com.

Booking period is from April 27 to May 3, 2009 for travel between June 1, 2009 and Jan 31, 2010.

Alongside the new routes, the airline is increasing its frequency from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, bringing the total frequency to eight direct daily flights from the current seven.

The added frequency will also commence operations on June 1, 2009, with free seats on offer to mark its initiation.

The free seats offer is also available online with similar booking and travel period as the new routes above.

"Our Kuala Lumpur - Singapore route on the other hand, received tremendous response ever since it was first introduced, with an average load factor of 80 percent," said Tan.

The free seats offer exclude airport tax, admin fees and are applicable for one-way only.


Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Jetstar Asia to fly to new destiniations in Malaysia

Jetstar Asia has been given flying rights approval (22-Apr-09) by the Air Traffic Rights Committee to commence services to Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia.

The new routes will represent Jetstar Asia’s 17th and 18th destinations.

Jetstar Asia will commence flights later this year, with schedule and fares to be announced in due course.

Jetstar Asia Chief Executive Officer Ms Chong Phit Lian said she was excited about the prospect of further expansion of Jetstar Asia into Malaysia.

“With flights already to Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, these new destinations will further expand the important role Malaysia plays in the Jetstar network.

“We are excited to be able to now pursue flying to two of Malaysia’s best holiday destinations.”

Source : Peanuts Online
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

AirAsia to fly Langkawi-Singapore route soon

Direct flights between Langkawi and Singapore by AirAsia will take off soon.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced yesterday that the Government had given approval to the low-cost carrier to operate the route.

He said the move would boost tourism and the economy in Langkawi.

“We will leave it to AirAsia to assess the situation and decide on the frequency of flights,” he told reporters after a dialogue with Chinese non-governmental organisations yesterday.

On March 7, 15 Chinese associations in Langkawi called on the Government to allow AirAsia to fly direct between the two destinations to help the resort island weather the current economic storm.

Langkawi MCA division chief Datuk Chen Liau Weng, who made the appeal to Ong, said direct flights were crucial as he claimed that the Kedah government had not been promoting tourism.

In Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes was elated that the airline had been voted the world’s best low-cost carrier by British-based consultancy group Skytrax.

He said the award was special as it had put a Malaysian brand on the world aviation map again.

“We have won numerous awards but this one is very special. Even though AirAsia is a low-cost carrier, it has high quality products.

“AirAsia can be an inspiration to other Malaysian companies that they, too, can excel in anything and be the best on the world,” Fernandes said yesterday.

Skytrax presented the award to AirAsia during the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2009 in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this month.

The award was conferred based on the results of the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax, conducted between August 2008 and March this year from respondents of diverse nationalities.

“We are very honoured to triumph over other low-cost carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet and Southwest Airlines,” he said.

AirAsia stood out based on the good performances of its cabin crew, pilots and ground staff.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]