Floral parade in Putrajaya

A floral parade in Putrajaya will be the highlight of the four-month long Flora Fest 2008 themed Colours of Harmony.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said at least 15 floats would be participating in the parade on July 26. The floats, which must use at least 70% of fresh flowers, would then be displayed in Putrajaya until July 28.

Flora Fest 2008, which started on March 1, is divided into seven segments including photography competition and exhibition, flora workshop, Florathon, design arrangement and decoration competitions, floral parade and float showcase and bazaar.

“Malaysia has almost 8,000 species of flowers and its flora and fauna should be given as much publicity as possible.

Flower power: Azalina Othman checking out the floral display at her meeting room. Looking on is the Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee.

“Many of our indigenous flowers have yet to gain international recognition because they have not been given enough publicity and not because they are inferior in terms of beauty and colour,” she said at a press conference on Flora Fest here yesterday.

Bigger plans are also in store for next year, said Azalina who intends to make it a Flora and Forest Fest in 2009 to get locals and tourists to further appreciate nature.

“The Fest goes beyond parades. We are looking at incorporating nature walks and other eco-tourism activities for next year.

We also want it to be promoted in more destinations in the country,” she added.

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

Big names for Miri jazz fest

EIGHT international jazz artistes and bands will appear along with a local group at the third Miri International Jazz Festival next month.

The line-up includes Habana Sax from Cuba, Charmaine Clamor (the Philippines), Rumba Calzada (Canada), Mood Indigo (Britain), Diamond Dave and the Doodaddies (Australia), Oma Sound (Japan), T’Inventielke (Holland), Amar Sundy (Algeria) and Sarawak’s own Borneo Jazz Quartet.

Self-taught guitarist: Amar Sundy from Algeria.

Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the 2008 edition of the festival will take place at ParkCity Everly Hotel, Miri, on May 9 and 10.

“This year we hope to attract at least 6,000 people to the festival,” STB said in a statement recently, adding that last year more than 4,000 attended the festival held over two days.

It said festival-goers could expect a broader spectrum of jazz this year, ranging from laidback blues to jazz fusion with Latin, Caribbean and Oriental influences.

Habana Sax will make its second appearance at the festival after performing last year. Their Latino jazz styling and Cuban rhythms made them a crowd favourite and jazz lovers can expect more of the same this year.

The Latino beat doesn’t end with Habana Sax, as catchy salsa rhythms with Afro-Cuban flavours will come from the Vancouver-based Rumba Calzada.

The feet-tapping continues with Mood Indigo who play a wide repertoire of jazz beats.

Another swinging band is the four-piece Diamond Dave and the Doodaddies from Perth, who play Chicago-style blues with a soulful groove.

T’Inventielke, a 16-piece street band, will perform around the festival grounds.

The sound of Japanese jazz will come from Oma Sound, a six-piece band led by 75-year-old Isao Suzuki, a jazz bassist.

Another big name is Amar Sundy from Algeria, a self-taught guitarist who will perform a Chicago blues repertoire tinged with the exotic rhythms of his Tuareg ancestry.

Representing Sarawak will be the Borneo Jazz Quartet which will showcase original compositions and smooth jazz numbers.

Festival tickets are priced at RM60 for adults and RM30 for children aged between three and 12.

Tickets are available online at www.ticketcharge.com.my and at the Visitors’ Information Centre in Miri.

For more information, call 085-434181 or send e-mail to info@mirijazzfestival.com

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

Secretaries Week 2008 at Palace of the Golden Horses

FOR this year's Secretaries Week 2008, Palace of The Golden Horses hotel will be collaborating for the second time with Maestro Talent Management to bring good entertainment for the much-deserving secretaries.

Called 'Go Green with Mawi', the show features artiste Mawi backed by Akademi Fantasia 5 winner, Norsyarmilla Jirin or better known as Mila. The event will be hosted by popular comedian Dee with bhangra group Balle Balle scheduled for the opening act.

One of the highlights: Mawi is set to charm the secretaries.

The hotel's public relations manager Farah Halim said the event’s environmental friendly theme is in line with the hotel's mission to go green and protect the environment.

They've also formed an association called Green@Palace.

“The association runs campaigns focusing on nature and saving energy for the hotel. The Green@Palace club will be launched during the Secretaries Week dinner,” said Farah.

Guests will be served a 4-course western set dinner prepared by the hotel's culinary team.

Apart from the performances, there are magic shows and comedy skits slated for the night. There would also be a lucky draw offering three grand prizes. Audiences would stand the chance to win RM10, 000 worth of jewellery from Habib Jewels, and also vouchers and hampers from Jojobali Spa, Nestle and Palace Beach and Spa.

The show to be held at the Royal Ballroom on April 4 will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM500++, RM400++ and RM250++ per person. Early birds will enjoy a 10% discount for reservation made before March 20. For more information, call 03-8943 2333.

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

Malaysia to host AITE 2008 in May

The Asia International Tourism Expo 2008 (AITE 2008) will be held for the first time in Malaysia from May 22-25, 2008 at Hall 4, Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Jointly organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, Bumitra Malaysia and Malaysian Indian Tourism Association, the expo will comprise two days of business-to-business sessions and will be open to the public on the last day.

Some 200 buyers and sellers are taking part in the expo. These include airlines, cruise lines, health resorts and spas, hotels, MICE organizers and venues, travel agents, tourism boards and NTOs.


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

Hotmail Founder Sabeer To Marry In Exotic Langkawi

Hotmail founder, Indian-born Sabeer Bhatia, who became an overnight millionaire after selling his web-based e-mail service to Microsoft, plans to get hitched in Langkawi Island next month.

Sabeer, 40, chose Langkawi as his preferred venue to wed Tania Sharma, on March 9, and dignitaries from far and wide are expected to bless the marriage at the Taj Rebak Marina Resort located on the world famous island.

"We wanted an exclusive island for the wedding. Sabeer wanted to have it in Hawaii but it would be too far for our guests. We were thinking of Phuket, Bangkok or Koh Samui (Thailand) but decided on Langkawi," R.K. Sharma, the father of the bride-to-be, told Bernama.

About 270 dignitaries including bigwigs like Indian steel king Lakshmi Mittal's brother Pramod Mittal and India's Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel are on the guest list.

"Langkawi is an exclusive island and we have booked the entire hotel for our guests. The event is for two days, the first day is for the sangeet ceremony (pre-wedding ceremony of dance and music) and the wedding is on March 9th," added Sharma.

The Langkawi cable car is also said to have been booked for two hours on March 9 for the wedding party, where the guests will be entertained by musicians, deejays, and singers specially flown in from India.

The computer wizard, who sold Hotmail for a whopping US$400 million in 1997, just before his 30th birthday, was once engaged to a US-based Indian corporate lawyer in 2004 but the three-month engagement fell apart.

Sabeer, the son of a military officer, was born in Chandigarh, Punjab and graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India and later completed his Masters programme in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University.

Sabeer got engaged to Tania, a Mumbai-based businesswoman and the heiress of the Baidyanath Group, one of the largest manufacturers of ayurvedic medicine in India, last December.

Taj Rebak Marina Resort - http://www.tajhotels.com/

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

More Music Events & Festivals in Penang

THREE major music events will be held in Penang this year as part of the state government's efforts to woo tourists with music tourism.

Among them is the Penang World Music Festival which will be held from May 2 to 4.

Hot on the heels of the success of the inaugural Penang World Music Festival last year, the state government is in the midst of planning a bigger and better show this year, said Penang Tourism Action Council general manager Chin Yin Fat.

“The three-day festival last year sold 7,000 tickets despite heavy rain and it led to the state’s exposure as a music destination,” he said after greeting motorists at the Penang Bridge toll plaza on Thursday.

Also present to distribute goodie bags, bunga telur and Penang’s Calendar of Events 2008 to motorists were Penang Tourism Hospitality Committee chairman Cheang Chee Gooi and Tourism Malaysia Penang director Sani Sham Ahmad.

Hospitality gesture: Cheang, with an entourage clad in cultural costumes, distributing goodie bags to motorists at the Penang Bridge toll plaza in Prai.

Chin said the Penang Island Jazz Festival, which featured over 50 local and international performers and attracted 6,000 fans last year, would be held in December.

He said a new music event lined up this year as part of the expansion of music tourism in the state was the Penang Shanghai World Star Quest 2008 which would be held on March 29 at Auto City in Juru.

“It is a ‘star quest’ stage show from Shanghai, China,” he explained.

Chin said the state would focus on music tourism along with its existing core tourism products because Penang had the potential to be a world class music destination.

He said Taman Kuari at the Penang Botanic Gardens was a new venue that could be used to hold open-air music events.

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

MAS-Matta VMY And Independence Golf Challenge

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) are jointly organising a 14-circuit amateur golf tournament in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 and the country's 50th independence anniversary beginning Aug 23.

The tournament, which will be teed off at the Staffield Golf and Country Club in Negeri Sembilan, is open to all amateur golfers in Malaysia and abroad with a valid handicap of USGA 24 and below for men and handicap 36 for women.

The grand final of the tournament will be held at the IOI Palm Garden Golf Club course in Putrajaya on Dec 6.

"As the national flag carrier, MAS has always collaborated with related agencies to promote inbound tourism to Malaysia. This joint initiative is in line with Tourism Malaysia's efforts in promoting golf in the sports tourism agenda," MAS' commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan told a press conference at the MAS Academy in Kelana Jaya here today.

Also present was Matta's deputy president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun.

Rashid said the golf tournament was expected to foster and enhance networking, goodwill and fellowship among all in the travel trade and tourism industry.

"MAS is offering a number of Golden Holiday packages to encourage greater participation from local and foreign golfers," he added.

The tournament is expected to attract about 1,500 participants, with about 100 to 120 participants in each circuit.

In order to attract participation, MAS is working on a special website for the tournament, www.masmattagolf.com.my which will be launched this Saturday.

The MAS golf package offered for the tournament consists of a minimum three-day/two-night hotel accommodation and daily breakfast at selected four or five-star hotels in 13 local destinations with an option to extend the stay. It is valid from Aug 20 to Dec 31.

The package includes a return economy class flight from Kuala Lumpur to the respective states except Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.

Bookings for the package have to be made at MAS offices worldwide, its appointed agents or by calling the MAS Call Centre at 1-300-88-3000, at least 20 days before departure.

Source : Bernama
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Historical Sales for 10th Rainforest World Music Festival

History was made at the 10th Rainforest World Music Festival when ticket sales crossed the million-ringgit mark for the first time.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said this was the first time that ticket collections had crossed the magical mark.

Great response: Part of the crowd at the festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong on Saturday night.

Ticket sales this year was greatly boosted by on-line purchases. . Last year, ticket sales was about RM700,000.

Tickets were priced at RM80 this year, up from RM60 last year. Three-night tickets were sold at RM200.

A record 17 musical groups from several countries performed at the festival in the Sarawak Cultural Village on the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong.

Six of the groups, including those from Sarawak, will also perform at the inaugural World Music Festival at the Botanical Gardens in Penang on Friday.

More than 6,000 fans attended the opening show on Friday, compared to 3,500 last year. The crowd swelled to nearly 9,000 on Saturday and an estimated 7,000 fans watched the show last night.

Russian Malerija band Huun Huur Tu combining traditional music with throaty singing in one of the performances.

“About 45% of the fans were foreigners,” said Geikie, who added that the number was less than last year due to the shortage of hotel rooms.

The Holiday Inn Damai Resort, one of the three resorts in Santubong, is closed fora proposed RM30mil redevelopment project.

Geikie said the board plans to make the festival more interesting next year by including fringe events.

“We also want to create a global heritage village by bringing in indigenous tribes from various countries.

“These tribes will demonstrate how to make and use their musical instruments,” she added.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

World Lion Dance Championship at Genting

WHAT better way to celebrate the country's 50 years of nationhood than with a whole lot of fanfare?

Genting – City of Entertainment, the Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon & Lion Dance Association and the Tourism Ministry are jointly organising a special 50 Years of Nationhood – World Lion Dance Invitation Championship in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th year of independence at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands Resort come August.

It is also held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

“The event this year will be more exciting and interesting,” Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon & Lion Dance Association chairman Leong Lik Thong told a press conference last Thursday.

During the press conference, lots were drawn to determine when the teams would be competing during the preliminary rounds, which will be held on Aug 3 and 4.

Drawing lots: Leong (second from left) and Resorts World Bhd promotions and entertainment assistant manager Steve Wong (third from left) drawing lots to determine when the teams would compete during the preliminary rounds on Aug 3 and 4. Also present is competition chief judge H.P. Siow (right).

Leong said the expenditure for the event this year exceeded RM800,000 and that much care had been put into planning the event.

“There are more teams this time. While we used to allow only two teams per country, we are now allowing three teams. We have 27 teams participating, from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singa-pore, Indonesia, Australia, the United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines.”

The first championship took place in 1994. The international competition is held on a biennial basis, and is interspersed with a national championship.

“This event has become established over the years, and I am told that the teams have been working very hard on their repertoire,” Leong said, adding that they were expecting a full house attendance this year.

The champions will be awarded a cash prize of US$10,000 together with a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will receive trophies and US$5,000 and US$3,000 respectively.

The remaining seven teams that qualify for the finals will receive US$1,000 each.

The 50 Years of Nationhood – World Lion Dance Invitation Championship will take place from Aug 3 to 5 at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands. Preliminary rounds will take place on the Aug 3 and 4, while the finals will be held on Aug 5.

Tickets are by way of redemption at Genting WorldCard Centres. For more details, call 03-6105 2028.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Penang Music fest to draw 15,000

At least 15,000 people will gather at the World Musical Festival in Taman Kuari from July 20 to 22.

Steps would be taken to ensure smooth traffic flow on the road leading to the venue, state tourism chief Teng Chang Yeow said after inspecting the site yesterday.

“The road to Taman Kuari will be fully decorated by the end of next week. This festival is one of the main events held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2007,” he said.

The festival will feature 13 international bands from the Solomon Islands, the United States, Afghanistan, Italy, South Africa, Russia, Peru, Britain, Burkina Faso and other countries.

Scenic venue: A photo showing Taman Kuari in Penang, the venue for the World Musical Festival to be held from July 20 to 22. The road to the venue will be fully decorated by the end of next week.

Teng said a series of promotional activities had been held in Koh Samui and Phuket to draw foreign tourists.

Jointly organised by the Tourism Ministry, Tourism Malaysia and the Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC), it will showcase cultural, community and folk-inspired music with strong ethnic edge and identity.

Tickets are priced at RM40 for adults and RM10 for children. For details, contact the Penang Tourism Action Council at 04-262 0202 or visit www.tourismpenang.gov.my.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Malacca Street Tourism Carnival attracts thousands over two nights

For two nights in a row, the public were treated to two concerts with performances by many local artistes and musicians.

In conjunction with the Malacca Street Tourism Carnival recently, one of the concerts featured four groups, which entertained the crowd at Stadium Hang Tuah.

Kicking off the performance was a gig by Abstract Group, and as the band members played on, the stadium steadily became jammed by the audience flooding in for the fun and celebration.

The next performance was a very energetic one by 6th Sense. Their lead singer was huffing and puffing after each song, but later he admitted that he had a fever.

As the night wore on, the crowd basked in the cooling breeze and cloudy skies to enjoy performances by the third group Sofaz.

However, the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for the popular local band OAG.

The crowd had to wait 15 minutes for their gig because they were stuck in a traffic jam after performing at another venue earlier.

Nevertheless, the crowd did not mind as they cheered and sang along with an alternative band.

Many fans were also seen snapping pictures using their camera phones as the night wore on.

Ikah Kassim, 19, a college student from Bukit Beruang Community College who came with her friends, said she enjoyed the concert.

“Although there were not many people, the crowd made itself heard and the groups performed brilliantly,” she said.

The very next night, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd organised a free concert called GeGe Riuh at Dataran Pahlawan.

More than 3,000 people thronged the venue to watch famous local artistes perform. Among them were Ella, Dayang Nurfaizah, Saiful Apek and Ruffedge.

The sensational trio, Ahli Fiqir, started the concert, wowing the crowd with a powerful performance that set the mood for the rest of the night.

Queen of Malaysian rock music, Ella, thrilled the fans with her strong vocals in a combination of slow and fast-paced rock songs.

Popular comedian and actor Saiful Apek amused the crowd with his antics and thrilled them when he rendered hilarious versions of several famous local songs.

He also invited more than a dozen enthusiastic children on stage to join him in his act.

A DiGi spokesman said the response was fantastic and more than 10,000 people visited the carnival

Mohd Zainal Fairuz, 29, from Singapore, was visiting the state with his wife when he heard of the concert and took the opportunity to meet his favourite artiste Saiful Apek in person.

“In Singapore, we have Phua Chu Kang. In Malaysia, there’s Saiful Apek. I am a big fan of his comedy and I thank God we came to Malacca this weekend for a holiday,” said Zainal.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Limited-edition Music Without Borders book celebrates Rainforest music fest

The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has published a book titled Music Without Borders to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival.

The 206-page coffee table book provides a chronology of the festival’s development and contains more than 500 photographs taken during past concerts.

STB chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said the book featured the various musical instruments used in Borneo.

“A limited edition of 5,000 copies of the book are being printed.

“It is a collector’s item and there will not be a reprint,” she told reporters when unveiling the book at the board’s office here yesterday.

The book, priced at RM125 (soft copy), is authored by Heidi Munan and published by Marshall Cavendish (M) Sdn Bhd. Pre-orders for the book can be made at www. Rainforestmusic-borneo.com. Five hundred copies are available for sale on Amazon.com.

On the 10th anniversary festival beginning July 13 at the Sarawak Cultural Village near here, Geikie said it would receive the biggest ever media coverage by some 220 foreign journalists.

She said that more than 10,000 tickets to the three-night open air concerts on the foothill of Mount Santubong had been sold.

The festival, which won the 2006 Pata Gold Award, attracted some 17,000 music lovers, 60% of them non-Sarawakians, last year.

Geikie said the festival, which would feature 20 international and local musical groups, was expected to generate a revenue of RM15mil for the tourism industry, up from RM13mil last year.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Exciting Super GT for Malaysians

TWO 30-footer lorries adorned with Super GT colours with specially brought in GT Queens Aki Oguchi and Momoyo Aihara grabbed the attention of onlookers at Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The Super GT babes in sexy red tops with white hot pants are in town to promote the 2007 Super GT International Series Malaysia.

GT Queens: The Super GT babes at the launch of the 2007 Super GT International Series Malaysia with Hannah Tan.

“The Super GT On The Move'' mobile road show will be traversing Malaysian roads, from Penang to Johor Baru, to meet fans and promote the oncoming motor sports event until June 24.

While the GT babes use one lorry as a stage for performances, the other vehicle has a racing simulator machine and a sales and ticketing kiosk.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said who launched the Super GT International Series Malaysia said the branding of the Super GT International Series, which had created a relatively large following, was an important calendar event for the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

“We are proud that the Japan GT Association has chosen Sepang as its first venue outside of Japan and I am told that there are plans to bring it to Australia and China also.

“This year being Visit Malaysia Year, the Government and SIC will step up efforts to ensure the event is exciting,'' she said.

It has been held in Malaysia since 2000.

Azalina said the Motorsports Commission of Malaysia (MCM) had been established to take the Malaysian motor sports industry to a higher plane and ensure Malaysia became a hub for motor sports in the region.

“I believe this is the first time such a commission has been set up anywhere in the world and together with the newly formed Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), I believe we will have many more events and programmes to boost the motor sports industry further,” she said.

Also present at the event was SIC chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, Japan GT Association (GTA) chairman Maasaki Bando and MCM chief operating officer Nordin Yasin.

Tickets for the Super GT are priced at RM30 and can be purchased via the Internet at www.malaysiangp.com.my or by calling the ticket hotline at 03-8778 2222.

Fans can also purchase pit-walkabout passes as well as Circuit Safari passes.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Jazzy vibes resound in Miri

A melting pot of global jazz - that was how a tourist from England described the Miri International Jazz Festival 2007 that was held in the Sarawak city recently.

Indeed, that was the most appropriate description. Other superlatives from among the 4,000 visitors who attended the two-day event included “fantastic”, “wonderful” and “awesome”.

Ecstatic: No question about it; the crowd love the festival.

The Sarawak Tourism Board and the management of the Miri Parkcity Hotel should be given a standing ovation for the way they had managed to turn this festival into a remarkable musical showpiece.

Taking it easy: Tourists relaxing outside the Pavallion.

Though not yet as grand and famous as the Sarawak World Rainforest Music Festival in Kuching, the jazz festival in Miri has the potential to become a major tourism draw for the northern region.

Held on May 11-13 in this resort city, the Miri International Jazz Festival attracted 12 renowned jazz groups from the United States, Latin America, Europe, India, Africa, China and Australia to this northern tourism hub of Sarawak.

Made in India: The KCD4 group perfoming their version of jazz.

Each country seemed to have its own rhythm, dance style and musical instruments.

Frank Morris, a middle-aged tourist from Kent, England, who was on a holiday in Borneo, said he decided to fly to Miri from Kota Kinabalu where he was holidaying to find out if the jazz festival was any different from the ones in Europe.

“The festival here is indeed special. You can find so many different jazz groups from all over the world performing on the same stage, at the same venue and at such a cheap price (RM50 per ticket only for the two-day show).

Glorious colours: Public taking picture of the sunset at Miri beach before the International jazz festival begin.

“This is like a melting pot of jazz. What colours, what splendid music! It was fantastic to say the least,” he added.

The event’s chairman, Michael Lu, who is the Sarawak Tourism Board Miri branch manager, was ecstatic with the response.

“We did not anticipate such a good response. All tickets were sold out. It was a very successful event.”

Eclectic: One of the Son2nos musican playing the musical instrument.

The board’s chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said the organisers hoped the event would help to highlight Miri, Mulu and Sarawak to a greater global audience so that more tourists will visit.

Other sponsors that helped to make this event a success was Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Maxis, Astro, Malaysia Airlines and Heineken.

Participants and visitors to the festival took the opportunity to explore the Mulu, Niah and Lambir national parks as well as Miri City during their stay in the coastal city.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

70,000 tourists expected at Colours of Malaysia festival

Some 70,000 tourists are expected to descend on the federal administrative centre next week for the Citrawarna Malaysia celebrations, a major event in the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 calendar. The Citrawarna festival, or Colours of Malaysia, is themed Millions of Colours, Millions of Smiles, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Showcasing the cultures and traditions of Malaysia’s many ethnic groups, the launch on May 26 will feature traditional dances such as the Orang Asli masked dance and the Sarawak warrior dance.

After a slow start earlier this year, the VMY campaign received a boost when the latest figures showed tourist arrivals had exceeded expectations. As at May 10, arrivals touched 8.9 million, or an average of 68,461 tourists a day, excluding day-trippers or those who stay for just one night.

The new figures signal that the target of 20.1 million tourist arrivals this year may be surpassed. VMY 2007 is expected to earn RM44.5 billion in foreign receipts.
At a press conference yesterday, Tengku Adnan said Citrawarna would introduce tourists to Malaysia’s arts and culture.

The celebrations will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on May 26 at 8pm.

The festival will run until June 10.

Its gastronomic equivalent, Citrarasa, kicks off on the same day and continues until June 24.

To date, some 7,000 tourism packages for Citrawarna have been sold in various countries, including Singapore, China and India.

Tengku Adnan also said his ministry was discussing the possibility of increasing the number of flights to Sarawak with the Transport Ministry, to give the state more exposure in the foreign tourism market.

He said room occupancy rates in major Sarawak cities have been lower than expected, while in Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Penang and Kota Kinabalu there was a shortage of rooms. He said more hotels should be built in these four cities to meet the demand from local and foreign tourists.

On another matter, he said the Transport Ministry had been informed that travel agents were acting as taxi touts at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KLIA, and the licences of agents caught using illegal methods to attract customers would be revoked.

On the co-operation of government agencies like the Immigration Department, police and Rela in promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2007, Tengku Adnan said it was satisfactory, despite several unfortunate incidents.

The most recent was the detention of an Indian national, a crew member of a German production company filming a documentary here, on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant. The man was held at Rela headquarters for three hours until someone brought the passport he had left at his hotel.


Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Colours of Malaysia to start on May 26

The “Colours of Malaysia”, an annual extravaganza showcasing the country’s rich culture, arts and traditions, will kick off at the Dataran Putrajaya on May 26 here.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the event, themed “Million of Colours, Millions of Smiles”, will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The celebration, comprising various food promotions, craft exhibitions and cultural shows at hotels, shopping malls and prominent tourist spots nationwide, runs until June 10.

A complementary programme, called the “Flavours of Malaysia” and highlighting the best of Malaysian cuisine, will also be organised from May 26 to June 26.

Tengku Adnan told reporters here that a five-part opening of the Colours of Malaysia was in the pipeline, including a pre-show featuring cultural dances, a fashion show and a specially-choreographed bicycle ballet at 6.30pm.

To be telecast live by RTM, the launch will also feature evocative music, hundreds of puppeteers and cultural dances.

To revv up the night further, the organisers are bringing in about 100 percussionists representing the major ethnic groups in the country.

The finale is the arrival of 14 Malaysian state flags accompanied by more dances and merry-making, culminating in a five-minute fireworks display.

A total of 1,800 participants will take part in the opening ceremony which is expected to attract 70,000 people, including foreign visitors.

The Tourism Ministry has invited 331 foreign media personnel and 314 tour agents from 36 countries. Ministry figures also indicated that about 7,000 tour packages had been sold for this event in countries like Singapore, China and India.

Meanwhile, the Flavours of Malaysia culinary event will be held at Dataran Shahbandar Kuala Terengganu on June 1-3, Malaysia Tourism Centre in Kuala Lumpur on June 8-10, Pesta Pulau Pinang site on June 15-17 and Miri on June 22-24.



Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Singapore to join F1 circuit from 2008, plans first ever night race

Singapore will join the Formula One circuit next year and may hold the first ever night grand prix under lights on the streets of this skyscraper-filled metropolis, officials said.

"We are pleased to announce that Singapore will be hosting the F1 Grand Prix from 2008,'' Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran told a news conference on Friday.

The first race would be in September or October 2008 on a street circuit, he said. "I am also pleased to announce that Singapore could potentially stage the first-ever F1 night race,'' Iswaran said. "A night race will be unique, different and allow the Singapore event to reach out to television audiences in Asia, Europe and the U.S.''

In a video conference from Spain, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of a night race in Singapore. "Singapore is going to be the leader with the street race at night. Everyone's excited about the idea,'' Ecclestone said.

But Iswaran said the government was still evaluating the safety considerations of holding the race under lights.

"Safety is of paramount concern to all of us. Therefore, we will proceed with a night race only if the safety and operational requirements of all parties ... are met,'' he said, referring to the teams, the Formula One Administration and the sport's world governing body, the FIA.

"If not, we will revert to a day race,'' he said.

The city-state secured the rights to hold the race for five years -- with the option for FOA to extend for a further five years -- and expects annual tourism receipts from the event of about 100 million Singapore dollars (US$65.9 million; euro48.72 million), Iswaran said.

He said the government would cover 60 percent of the estimated annual cost of up to S$150 million (US$98.8 million; euro73.04 million) and that an extra hotel tax would be charged during the race week to help meet the costs.

Mark Webber stands in front of part of a 5-kilometer layout proposed street circuit. - AP Photo.

Singapore has been pushing hard for the race. Last month Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber, driving a Porsche 911 GT3, tested the Singapore's 5.2-kilometer (3-mile) street circuit that winds along streets lined with high-rise buildings and newly restored, British colonial era mansions.

Singapore's announcement came a day after Ecclestone confirmed that Valencia, Spain, would also stage an F1 race in 2008 on a street circuit. The eastern Spanish city will hold F1 races for seven years beginning next year.

Ecclestone has previously been reported as saying he would like to include several night races on the F1 circuit -- especially in Asia -- in a bid to make their broadcast times more accessible to European and North American television viewers.

The proposal has so far met with mixed responses from teams and drivers, with safety concerns the main issue as F1 cars do not have headlights and reach speeds of more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) per hour.

The rights to the race will be held by a company controlled by Singapore GP Pte Ltd, a company owned by property and hotels tycoon Ong Beng Seng.

Singapore's plan to host the F1 has caused unease in neighboring Malaysia, which is part of the annual circuit. The Malaysians are privately worried that Singapore will draw away some of the many thousands of fans who descend every year to watch its race at Sepang.

But in public, Malaysian officials have put on a brave face, saying they are not concerned. The Malaysian race is held early in the year, and Singapore's schedule puts the two events several months apart, suggesting that fans could travel to both places in equal numbers.

Malaysia this year extended its contract to host F1 by another five years after 2010.

Related News

• Lights dim on Singapore F1 hopes
• Singapore or Malaysia to Gain with Formula One?
• Malaysia wary of Singapore's F1 plans

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Beauties descend on PD for Miss Tourism crown

A bevy of beauties will be competing in the Miss Malaysia Tourism Queen International 2007 at the Glory Beach Resort in Port Dickson tomorrow.

The winner will represent Malaysia in the Miss Tourism Queen International 2007 finals in Hangzhou, China, next month.

The beauties have been in Port Dickson since May 2 and had visited tourist spots such as Istana Sri Menanti, Seremban Museum, an orang asli village in Bukit Kepong, Replica Museum in Rembau, Army Museum in Lukut and a dragon fruit farm.

Among those competing for the title are students, a hair stylist, accounts executives and a fashion designer.

It will be the tiara, soon: The contestants in a traditional headgear after a visit to the Seremban Museum.

The youngest is Zara Ng and Veronica Ling, both 18 from Johor Baru, while the oldest is 24-year-old Janet Cheok from Kuala Lumpur.

The winner will receive RM5,000, complimentary one-night stay at Glory Beach Resort for six persons, haircare products. The runner-up will receive RM2,000, complimentary one-night stay for five people at Glory Beach Resort.

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai is the guest of honour at the finals.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Mama’s Not Cookin’ High Tea at Radius International

Treat your deserving mama to our Mama’s Not Cookin’ High Tea on May 13, 2007 (Sunday) at Café in the Park Restaurant, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur in Changkat Bukit Bintang.

From fresh salads to delicious hot dishes and ending with heavenly desserts; She’ll be tempted by dishes like Satay, Beriani Lamb, Curry Laksa, Indian Rojak, Beef Steak ‘Teriyaki’, Pasta, Dory Fish, Buttered Tiger Prawns, and expect a variety of irresistible desserts such as French Pastries, Pineapple Mousse, Assorted Pau, Ice Cream & many more.

To add the joy of the day, there will also be interesting games with attractive prizes to be won courtesy from our generous sponsors e.g. Antabax Anti-Bacterial soap, DermaGenesis Advanced Cosmetics Procedure Centre, Rustic Nirvana Spa, Bio Young, St. Ives, Tresemme, Nestle, BOH, Lam Soon and Long Nail Studio.

Not-to-be-missed, worth-the-grab is the discounted Botox vouchers and complimentary IPL treatment courtesy from DermaGenesis. Besides that, Mother’s could also benefit from the Bio-Young product booth and free Bio Young trial packs will be given to all Mothers.

Also, enjoy a special appearance by “Butter the Clown” from 1pm till 3pm to hand out balloons to the kids and share his magic tricks.

All mothers will be given a complimentary stalk of carnation, and a special goodie bag to make the day memorable forever! Certainly an enjoyable moment for her as she delights herself at our High Tea.

The Mother’s Day High Tea, from noon to 4.30pm, is priced at RM38.00 nett (adult) and RM19.00 nett (child).

So, wait no more…express your love, appreciation and make your mom’s day at Café in the Park, Radius International Hotel KL by calling us at 03-2715 3888 ext. 8027/8120 or visit our website at http://www.radius-international.com/.
Reservations recommended.

Source : www.radius-international.com
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Nikko's Mothers Day Invitation

HOTEL Nikko Kuala Lumpur is inviting mothers to indulge in a delicious set meal offering at Benkay Japanese Restaurant with Agedashi Tofu, as-sorted sushi and sashimi, Ebi Tempura or Vegetable Tempura.

Then move on to ‘All You Can Eat Shabu Shabu’ and rice or udon; and a refreshing platter of assorted fresh fruits at the end of the meal. Café Serena Bras-serie is featuring the lavish Mother’s Day Buffet dinner on May 12 with a Mother’s Day Hi-Tea on May 13

While Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant is featuring the Big Bowl Feast on May 12 and 13. There will also be a poolside BBQ brunch on May 13. For reservations, call 03-2782 6228.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]