Malaysia in top 5 for medical tourism

Malaysia is one of the world's top five medical tourism destinations for tourists and foreign investors.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said patients chose to come to Malaysia because they could get the best medical treatment at a lower cost.

She said Malaysia was also known for having internationally-recognised quality standards, extensive diagnostic and therapeutic resources, modern healthcare facilities and trained medical staff.


"The government now wants to spur the growth of the healthcare industry and for healthcare transformation under the 10th Malaysia Plan, we are considering key points where healthcare access, coverage and quality can continue to be improved," she said when launching the Asia Healthcare Operations Summit 2011 yesterday.


She said the government would focus on four areas, including transforming healthcare delivery, increasing the capacity, coverage and quality of healthcare structure, and shifting towards disease prevention.


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

New tourism slogan for Negri Sembilan

Return to Nature will be the tourism slogan for Negri Sembilan this year in line with other tourism packages of the state which are mostly nature-related.
State executive councillor for Tourism Datuk Mohamad Razi Kail said the slogan was aimed at enhancing the tourism sector in the state.

"The new slogan will be used to promote Negri Sembilan as an eco-tourism destination. This is because about 90 per cent of the state's tourism products is nature-related.
"We have beautiful beaches, mountains and forests hundreds of years old to explore. "It would be a shame if these bounties of nature were not promoted as an increasing number of tourists love eco-tourism packages," he said at a recent briefing session at the Tourism Malaysia office here.
Among the popular nature-related tourism products in the state are the Edu Eco-tourism Centre at the Sungai Menyala Forest Reserve in Port Dickson, Sungai Linggi in Rembau, Taman Alam Liar and Gunung Besar Hantu in Jelebu, and Gunung Angsi and Bukit Putus in Kuala Pilah.

There is also the popular Raptor Watch in Port Dickson, Scientific Expedition and Kenaboi International River Challenge at the Kenaboi Forest Reserve in Jelebu, and the Port Dickson International Triathlon.

Razi said it was time for the state to upgrade its tourism sector based on the numerous tourist spots in the state. He said tourists who selected tourism packages will also be introduced to the state's culture through the penginapan desa programme, which allows them to appreciate nature while getting a feel of kampung life.

To further enhance the eco-tourism sector products, he said the Tourism Ministry had allocated RM16.2 million under the Tenth Malaysia Plan for various projects.

These are to extend the Teluk Kemang beach front in Port Dickson, as well as upgrade the Ulu Bendol Recreational Park in Kuala Pilah and the Seremban Orchid Park.

He said RM12.6 million has been spent on past eco-tourism products in the state.

A total of 2.2 million tourists visited the state last year. The tourism target for this year is 2.4 million visitors.

He said the old slogan, Unique Culture, Popular Destination, will continue to be used for all state tourism products as it reflected the uniqueness of the state's adat perpatih practises



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

It's duty-free at Tasik Kenyir

Tasik Kenyir has been accorded duty-free status, joining the ranks of the islands of Labuan, Langkawi and Tioman.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the state government's application for duty-free status had been approved by the Finance Ministry, which had informed them of the decision last week. He said with this, the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia would now be developed as a premier eco-tourism destination.

Ahmad, since taking over as menteri besar two years ago, has been aggressively promoting Tasik Kenyir as an alternative to Terengganu's famed Perhentian, Redang and Kapas islands.
Ahmad thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for approving the state's request. "We reapplied for the duty-free status some four months ago and I've been trying to convince the prime minister since then that Kenyir has the potential to be a top tourist destination."

Kenyir was created in 1985 by the damming of Sungai Kenyir to create the Sultan Mahmud Power Station. The lake covers 260 sq km and contains 340 small islands, once the tops of hills and highlands, more than 14 waterfalls, numerous rapids and rivers.

However, other than fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers, the area had not been aggressively promoted until the past few years.

Ahmad said plans for a duty-free complex, to be situated in Pulau Bayas, would begin soon and was expected to be completed next year. The state government has already set aside an initial budget of RM100 million for basic infrastructure and amenities such as electricity supply, communications and jetties.

The integrated development plan include the development of five-star, four-star and three-star resorts on some of the 340 islands in Kenyir. Others include a cable car ride from Pengkalan Gawi, houseboat cruises, water theme parks and golf courses. All these were expected to be operational by April 2012, said Ahmad.

"Kenyir has been neglected for almost 30 years. It is time the people got to know of its natural wonder. Making Kenyir duty-free will help boost tourist arrivals and receipts,"

Terengganu recorded almost 3.5 million tourist arrivals for the past two years, although many head to the islands, which the state government fear would end up damaging their precious coral reefs. This has forced the state government to only allow luxury resorts on the islands in the future, and to promote other nature-based destinations such as Kenyir.




Source : NST

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

35pc of Malaysia tourism income from shopping by 2020

The Tourism Ministry is targeting to achieve35 per cent of income generated by the tourism industry from shopping activities by the year 2020, said its deputy minister, Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit, here.

He said more aggressive efforts were needed from entrepreneurs in thetourism industry, including owners of shopping outlets, by intensifying promotion outside the country to turn Malaysia into a leading shopping destination regionally and internationally.

"Currently, Singapore and Hong Kong are still among the favourite shopping destinations for tourists recording 35 per cent of their tourism income, withHong Kong recording almost 55 per cent, and we want to achieve the 35 per centmark by 2020," he said at the launching the Sarawak level of the Malaysian Mega Cheap Sale Carnival 2020, at the Sarawak Plaza shopping centre, here today.

He said that in terms of income generated by the tourism industry last year,28.3 per cent or RM15.11 billion of the RM53.4 billion overall income came from shopping while 31.1 per cent came from accommodation and 17.4 per cent from food and beverage.

The Mega Sale attracted 6.3 million tourists which was an increase of 12.4per cent compared to the figure recorded in 2008, where Malaysia only received5.37 million tourists, he added.


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

Eye on Malaysia to spin again in Malacca

The Eye on Malaysia, which came to a stop early this year due to a legal wrangle, is likely to start spinning again soon.

Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam said this followed successful negotiations with the owners of the 62m-tall observation wheel, Fitraco NV of Belgium.

The Ferris wheel will be managed by the operators of the Malacca Wonderland Theme Park.

The new deal will see the Belgian company being paid RM100,000 for the lease of the wheel.

"We would like to see it spinning as soon as possible," said Ali after opening the new Malacca Football Association building here yesterday.

He added that Fitraco, however, wanted the paperwork involving the new deal to be completed before it allowed the wheel to start spinning.

Earlier, negotiations between the state and Fitraco for the purchase of the wheel hit a snag when both parties couldn't agree on the price for the wheel.

MST Ad Suria was the company responsible for bringing the Eye on Malaysia to the country as part of Visit Malaysia Year 2007, while Eye On Malaysia Sdn Bhd (EOM) was the operator of the attraction.

Fitraco had said it had not received any settlement of RM18 million owed by MST Ad Suria and EOM.

The Belgian company gained legal possession over the wheel on Jan 7, following a successful suit brought against Ad Suria at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to recover a lease loan of RM18 million last year.

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

Malaysia Domestic Tourism Fair (MDTF) a HIT!

Event producer, Siti Nurezlea Amzah, 35, wanted somewhere different to spend her holidays this year. Normally, she would opt for a Southeast Asian country as her destination, but this year, like the over 20,000 visitors who thronged the Malaysia Domestic Tourism Fair (MDTF), a local site was her choice.

"I wanted to travel locally because I always had the mindset that visiting foreign countries was great for travelling, while local sites were reserved for the weekend. That was until I visited Langkawi and Pangkor last year. I realised how nice these places were. I found a great bargain here. I will definitely come here again next year and I hope they have more to offer," she said, adding she was planning a trip to Sipadan, Sabah.

The three-day fair at the Putra World Trade Centre, which ended yesterday, saw the number of visitors doubled compared to its inaugural edition last year.

MDTF organising chairman Datuk Shamsul Falak Kadir said the increased number of visitors was due to the improving economy, more publicity for the event and creative marketing. Shamsul said the global economic downturn and the influenza A (H1N1) epidemic last year saw the industry take a bit of a fall.

"But people are travelling domestically again. A verbal survey on sales I conducted also showed it has been good. There is a lot of response to the packages offered. It can be better though. I feel a lot of people don't realise the new products the country has," he told the New Straits Times.

Seri Pacific Hotels and Resorts sales and marketing general manager Ammelia Mohd Ali shared similar sentiments. The high-end boutique resort made more than RM60,000 worth of sales in the last three days which was encouraging as she considers it to be a "new kid on the block". This was also the first time the group had participated in such a fair. "I hope there will be more promotion of the fair next year though because I feel a lot more visitors will come," she said.

Ping Anchorage managing director Alex Lee, a tour operator, said the MDTF gave newcomers a platform to be noticed. MDTF, he said, would boost the local tourism industry. "This is their second year and the results have been encouraging. If this is maintained, it will soon become a much-eagerly awaited event."

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

Hotels see more locals than foreign guests

More Malaysians stayed in local hotels compared with foreign tourists last year. The ratio, according to data collected by hoteliers, was four locals to every three foreigners.

Although the difference is is not much, Ministry of Tourism domestic marketing division director Abdul Rahman Shaari hoped there would be another 10 per cent increase in the domestic tourism sector this year.

"It's necessary to focus on domestic tourism as it is a market that can be relied on, especially when an international crisis takes place," he said adding that the ministry fully supported the Malaysian Domestic Tourism Fair (MDTF), scheduled to be held next weekend at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, as it highlights domestic tourism.

The ministry is by far the largest participant of the annual affair with 48 booths redesigned to fit 60 exhibitors from all over Malaysia. Visitors to the ministry's booths can expect to find bargains from hoteliers, travel agents and other tourism service providers.

Shaari said that there were many interesting places for locals to visit within the country, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We hope to increase traffic between the two states and West Malaysia as some people from the peninsular have yet to step foot into that side of the country."

The ministry has also lined 45 lucky draw prizes for those who buy travel packages from their exhibitors during the fair. The lucky draw is divided into three categories which will see 15 winners per draw daily in each of the categories. Prizes include hotel stays at resorts nationwide and spa packages.

For more information on MDTF, call 03-22871830 or visit www.ntcm.com.my

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

Naza plans 5 new hotels in KL

The Naza group plans to invest some RM780 million to open five new hotels in Kuala Lumpur over the next two to six years.

It is looking at opening three three-star category hotels under the Naza Talyya name in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.

The remaining two will be five-star properties; one scheduled for opening at its Platinum Park development next to the Petronas Twin Towers and another near the proposed Matrade Centre on Jalan Kuching.

Naza Hotel Management Sdn Bhd director Nur Nadia SM Nasimuddin said that investment in each of the three-star properties could be between RM50 million and RM60 million.

She was speaking to reporters after the launch of Naza Talyya's newly-refurbished hotels in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd group managing director SM Faliq SM Nasimuddin said the hotel to support the proposed exhibition centre could cost some RM300million.

"It will be ready at the same time as the Matrade Centre in 2014," he told Business Times.

As for the hotel building at Platinum Park, he estimates that it too could cost RM300 million for a 350-room hotel.

It is looking for a foreign operator to manage this hotel, which is slated for completion in 2014/2015.

It is open to foreign investors pumping money into the project.

The Naza group now operates three hotels in Penang, Johor and Malacca under its Naza Talyya brand name.

The name "Talyya" means bloom or blooming in Arabic.

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

MAS bags best maintenance award

Malaysia Airlines Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) Division has been awarded the 2009 Best Asia-Pacific Airline MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) Operation Award by Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance, two of the industry's leading magazines.

The MRO Asia Awards programme is intended to honour companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region for excellence in aviation and aerospace aftermarket operations.

This is the second award won this year, attesting to MAS E&M's creditable reputation in the marketplace. Earlier this year, MAS E&M was selected as the 2009 Asia-Pacific Airframe MRO of The Year by Frost & Sullivan, Singapore.

Malaysia Airlines senior general manager (E&M) Mohd Roslan Ismail said: “We are delighted to receive this award which is testament to the team's focus on quality, safety and timely deliverables."
"Our customers are important to us and we are turning ourselves into a one-stop shop MRO that will meet their needs. With six Hangars offering 24 maintenance bays that can accommodate even A380 aircraft, we are able to offer maintenance service support for all aircraft type and size," he said in a statement today.

MAS E&M is transforming into a subsidiary, Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd, in 2010.

Mohd Roslan said the company's vision is to be the preferred global MRO.

"To achieve this, we are developing new capabilities and diversifying our portfolio. We are also exploring strategic partnerships," he added.

To be at the forefront of new technologies, MAS E&M sealed two memoranda of understanding, one with Pratt & Whitney, USA, and the other, with KRAUSS GmbH Aviation Technologies, Germany, at the recent LIMA 2009.

It has also set up a JV MRO company with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd in Hyderabad, India. Other partnerships include a JV company for the provision of MRO services for turboprop commercial aircraft with Alenia Aeronautica of Italy.


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

Malaysia Legoland to open in April 2012

A LEGOLAND theme park will open in Malaysia's south in 2012 at a cost of RM700 million (S$286 million), one year earlier than scheduled, developers said on Thursday.

Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) president and chief executive officer Arlida Ariff said the theme park covering 26 hectares in Johor state is now slated to open in April 2012.

'The selection of Legoland is very deliberate. The (planned) theme park in Singapore by Universal Studios is for young adults. Our is for families. It will be complementary rather than competition,' she told AFP.

The Malaysian attraction will be the first Legoland in Asia.

IIB is an investment holding company linked to the 17.7 billion ringgit Iskandar Development Region (IDR), a major infrastructure project in Johor. 


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

Malaysia Airlines posts Q3 loss

MALAYSIA Airlines said on Wednesday it sunk back into the red in the third quarter, blaming losses on its fuel-hedging positions.

In the three months to September, the airline posted a net loss of RM299.6 million (S$122.7 million) compared with a net profit of RM38.1 million a year earlier.

That included fuel hedging losses of RM202 million for the quarter.

'The outlook for the fourth quarter 2009 continues to be challenging,' the national carrier said.

'There is an early sign of improvement in passenger and cargo traffic, partly stimulated by intensive marketing campaigns but yields remain under pressure.' Malaysia Airlines has had a turbulent year, with a second-quarter profit of RM876 million due to fuel price hedging gains, but losses of RM695 million in the first quarter due to weaker demand and overcapacity.

It said its operating loss for the third quarter narrowed to RM73 million from a loss of RM421 million in the second quarter, helped by an improved load factor.


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

Batu Caves 1Malaysia Carnival

Batu Caves has all the potential to be developed into a national tourist attraction, a view not lost on the government which will set aside an allocation to do just that.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would do what it can to make the holy site a major tourist attraction.

"I hope this will be a new beginning for Batu Caves as an important area for tourism as well as the development of the 1Malaysia concept as a whole," he said, though he did not disclose how much would be set aside for the plan.

Najib, speaking at the Batu Caves 1Malaysia Carnival yesterday evening, stressed that unity would only boost the country's potential as a "gateway to the world".

He said Malaysia held the distinction of having ties with all the major Asian cultures.

"No other country can claim this. We are a gateway to the Chinese, Indians, Malay world and the Middle East. We must convert this to our strategic advantage."

Najib said that the 1Malaysia concept was not a zero-sum game, saying all Malaysians would reap the benefits of being citizens if they are willing to change their mindsets "from mere tolerance to total acceptance of a plural society".

He assured the Indian community that no community would be left behind in the government's plans to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.

"Malaysia is blessed with bountiful resources. If we ensure our economy remains strong, we can help every community in Malaysia."

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

Security at major hotels in Kuala Lumpur

Security at major hotels, nightspots and tourist haunts in the city has been tightened following the terrorist attack on two hotels in Jakarta.

City deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat, however, said that Kuala Lumpur was safe. He said uniformed policemen as well as undercover personnel were monitoring the situation.

“Several district police chiefs where prestigious hotels are located have met the hotel representatives to advise on additional security measures. We have also increased our patrols at clubbing areas in the city, such as Jalan P. Ramlee, as well as other tourist haunts."

Meanwhile, the New Sunday Times learnt that several major hotels in the Golden Triangle area of the city have taken additional security measures.

“Since the Jakarta bombing incident on July 17, we have taken extra steps to ensure security,” said an industry source. Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur general manager Stephen Cokkinias said there was no cause for concern as Malaysia was a safe country to visit. “The hotel has always taken measures to ensure the safety of their guests and staff .”

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd security and safety adviser Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Ismail said there were now more visible security measures at key airports.

“In recent meetings, the police’s General Operations Force informed us that they had increased their uniformed personnel too,” said Kamaruddin, when contacted.

He said the GOF now guarded the departure and arrival halls, as well as the areas outside the terminal buildings of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“We have also increased the number of security officers and are monitoring at the airside areas, which are the restricted areas of the airport,” said Kamaruddin.

Meanwhile, in Johor Baru, state police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said their officers stationed at all entry points, and marine police personnel patrolling the coastline, have been told to be extra careful.

“We will cooperate with both the Customs and Immigration departments to ensure the nation’s security.”

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

Firefly makes maiden Ipoh-S'pore flight

Sultan Azlan Shah airport was a hive of activity when Firefly's ATR 72-500 flew in from Singapore yesterday. The flight marked the airline's first flight between Ipoh and the island republic.

The flight from the republic, with 57 passengers on board, landed at the airport at 4.45pm to a welcoming ceremony which included traditional dances and a band from Sekolah Menengah Anderson Ipoh.

They were also screened for influenza A H1N1 by a medical team before they were allowed into the arrival hall.

They were received by state Industry, Investment, Entreprenuer Development, ICT, Tourism and Women Affairs committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman who represented Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

They were garlanded and given state tourism goodie bags.

Hamidah later launched the flight from Ipoh to Singapore with 71 passengers, including 21 Perak media representatives, which took off at 5.20pm. The delegation was led by state Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transport and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Mah Hang Soon.

In her speech, Hamidah said the air link was expected to "open up opportunities in the tourism and industrial sectors which would eventually contribute to the growth of the economy of the state".

Firefly operates four flights a week to Singapore.

The airport was previously used by Riau Airlines for its Medan-Ipoh service, with the last flight in March.

It is currently used by a flying academy for training purposes.

AirAsia operated the Ipoh-Senai route for nine months before it suspended the service in September 2006.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong, who was present at the event, said the airline might increase the frequencies if there were demand for it.

The airline was also talking to travel agents to reopen the Ipoh-Medan routes.

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

Kuching prepared to handle influx of visitors

The state Health Department has taken steps to prevent the spread of influenza A (H1N1) at the three-day Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong. About 30,000 concert-goers are expected to gather at the festival beginning tomorrow.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said yesterday the department had prepared for the possible spread of the virus.

He said the department had set up a clinic at the Sarawak Cultural Village and set aside an isolation ward at the top floor of a new block at Sarawak General Hospital to treat patients. The ward has 100 rooms.

He said the department had prepared 50,000 tamiflu doses, 200,000 face masks, 20,000 medical gowns, 2,000 medical suits and plenty of surgical gloves.
Sarawak recorded two new confirmed cases of H1N1 yesterday, bringing the total in the state to 18.

One was a 12-year-old girl who contracted the disease while visiting Brunei last week.

She is being treated at Miri General Hospital while family members are quarantined at home.

The other is a 32-year-old woman who returned from London on July 3 and became sick two days later. She is being treated at Sarawak General Hospital.

Dr Chan said the Health Department was taking extra care of the woman's 1-year-old son so he would not get the disease, while her husband and Indonesian maid were home quarantined.

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

AirAsia eyes more destinations in Asia Pacific, Middle East

AirAsia Bhd, the low cost carrier which services an extensive network with 122 routes covering more than 65 destinations, is seeking to serve more major and small cities in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Through its corporate philosophy of ''Now Everyone Can Fly'', the leading low cost airline in Asia says it is committed to serve three billion people who are "currently underserved with poor connectivity and high fares".

"We will go anywhere over four-hour destinations for our AirAsia X and below four-hour destinations for AirAsia," said AirAsia chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar in an interview with Bernama.

AirAsia X is the low cost long-haul affiliate carrier of AirAsia that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia and the UK.

The carrier is planning to add two to three new routes before end of this year in China such as Xi'an and Chongqing, and four new routes in India comprising Bangalore, Trivandram, Chennai and Cochin, Aziz said.

He said the airline has applied to fly into South Korea, and is also eyeing other destinations in the Middle East and Australia like Sydney.

"The time is right for us to fully take advantage of the current economic downturn and be prepared when the economy turns around.

"I think many full service airline passengers are turning to non-frill service because they tend to spend less and save more," he said.

Aziz said AirAsia was also promoting its services aggressively to stimulate demand.

"The demand is there and people will fly if they get cheap fares. Passengers only pay the ticket but when they pay for food, we have to make sure it is value for money," he said.

Aziz said AirAsia''s average load factor was about 73 to 75 percent in the last three months, while AirAsia X had been getting very strong load factor.

The London flight's average load factor was between 80 and 83 percent.

Asked on the impact of influenza A (H1N1) virus, he said the airline''s forward booking was not affected very much in the last two months but it was continuing with its aggressive marketing.

"There is H1N1, but if we are to offer 5,000 free tickets to fly to any destinations within Asia, I'm sure it would be fully taken up within three to four hours," he said.

Commenting on the new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), Aziz said AirAsia hoped the airport would be completed on time to accommodate its expansion plan.

"We can't just take the delivery of the new aircrafts with no place to park," he said.

AirAsia also hopes the commercial terms are agreed and accepted as soon as possible, he said.

It is understood that the new LCCT will be built by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and work is expected to start this month, and scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2011.

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

Boost for medical tourism

Things will look up for health tourism in the historical city soon with the opening of the refurbished Malacca International Airport in Batu Berendam. Mahkota Medical Centre's chief executive officer Francis Lim commended the state government for turning the new airport into a hub for medical tourists, the first of its kind in the region.

"At the moment, many medical tourists come to the state via the Low Cost Carrier (LCCT) terminal or the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang. The usual complaint we receive from them is on the two-hour trip from the airport to Malacca. The long journey is a major deterrent to health tourists, especially to those who are ill. This is why the new Malacca airport will play a pivotal role in promoting the state as a major hub for medical tourism," he told the New Sunday Times.

Of the 70,000 medical tourists who visit Malacca for healthcare, Mahkota Medical Centre or MMC receives about 50,000 while the remaining patients are treated by the two other private hospitals in the state. "MMC has 235 beds at the hospital and if the need arises we could increase the number to 356."

MMC, a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary tertiary care facility, was recently awarded the Asean Healthcare Excellence Award (Health Tourism) 2008 and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) accreditation.

Lim said that to attract more medical tourists from Indonesia, routes from Jambi, Palembang, Padang, Batam and Medan should be considered. He said that the Indonesian medical tourists who come to the state always have accompanying family members and this creates an economic spin-off in terms of hotel accommodation and shopping.

As for the Singapore market, Lim said the availability of flights from the republic cuts down the current travelling time. "This would attract patients from Singapore who are unable to travel by car due to health reasons."

Lim urged the state government to provide better facilities at the airport to cater to the sick such as ambulances and also wheelchairs to move them from the aircraft to the terminal building.

"The airport management and the state government should look into the needs of patients who are not mobile. The state government could help make it comfortable for tourists by planting more trees to provide shade along the roads, introducing a metered taxi service to prevent tourists from being short-changed by unscrupulous taxi drivers. The number of public toilets needs to be increased and measures should be taken to ensure that the public toilets are clean at all times."

Lim also commented on the route from the Simpang Ampat interchange to Malacca town which has about 20 traffic lights. "It takes about 45 minutes to reach town from Simpang Ampat which is the same time needed to travel from the LCCT or KLIA to Malacca. Maybe the traffic lights could be reduced by building flyovers and creating U-turns along the route."


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

Not the time for higher rates, Ng tells hoteliers

This is not the right time to raise the rates for services in the hotel and tourism industry.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said yesterday all parties in the industry must cooperate with the government in maintaining prices, especially in the present economic downturn.

She said she was told by a major Singapore tour agency during her trip to the republic recently that Malaysian tour guides had asked for an increase in rates and this has made them worried.

"With the number of visitors dropping, even hotel rates have gone down. I certainly don't agree with the tour guides' request for a raise as it will become an additional challenge to us. We have discussed this with all tourism players."

"They must cooperate with us during this difficult period. Raising prices during this time is not right," she said after giving away prizes to the winners of the state-level Homestay operators at Kampung Seterpa here yesterday.

On the homestay programme, Dr Ng said the government had decided to put a stop to the opening of new ones in the country as the present occupancy rate was low.

"We now have 4,000 homestays in the country but the occupancy rate is only about 10 per cent or 30 days a year. We want to raise it to 50 per cent," she said.

Dr Ng said the focus this year was to upgrade the homestays to the international level and the government would give them support and assistance wherever possible.

"The homestays must identify their niche and we will help them in their promotions. It will first be promoted in Singapore as it is our nearest neighbour," she said.

In the competition, Homestay Batu Papan from Gua Musang emerged champion, Kampung Seterpa runner-up and Kampung Renok Baru, Tanah Merah, third.

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

Big bucks in medical tourism

Malaysia was ranked one of the world's top five medical tourism destinations last year by online publication Nuwire Investors. The Deloitte Medical Tour-ism report 2008 and Research and Consultancy Solution, a research institute in India, said Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand were among the most preferred destinations in East Asia for medical treatment.

Cashing in on these findings, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday launched a logo featuring the brand name "Malaysia Healthcare" with the tagline "Quality care for peace of mind" to further boost the health tourism industry.

He said the website would serve as a gateway for potential foreign patients and visitors to explore what the Malaysian healthcare sector had to offer in terms of medical treatment options, health and medical facilities, and other information.

In 1998, 39,114 foreign patients sought treatment in Malaysia. Last year, the figure rose to 374,063. The revenue from foreign patients' hospital bills also grew from RM14.1 million in 1998 to RM299.1 million last year.
"These statistics illustrate that the industry has the potential to become a new source of income."

He said the Deloitte report revealed that 39 per cent of respondents surveyed would go abroad for an operation if it meant they could save half the cost and be assured that the quality and standard of service provided was comparable.

In 2007, 750,000 Americans travelled abroad to get treatment and the figure is estimated to reach six million by next year, with the amount spent estimated to be in the range of US$7.9 billion (RM27.9 billion) to US$10.1 billion.

Liow said the global health tourism market was experiencing a growth rate of 20 to 30 per cent per annum.

Liow will submit a proposal to the cabinet on the establishment of a Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council to oversee the industry and promote it overseas.

Thirty-five private hospitals received the Health Industry Recognition Award from the minister for their contributions to health tourism.


Source : NST
[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]