Starwood to manage Four Points Hotel in Kuching

Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd will manage the proposed RM100mil Four Points by Sheraton Hotel to be developed by Global Upline Sdn Bhd at Jalan Airport here.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had performed the earth-breaking ceremony for the hotel project yesterday.

The proposed 12-storey 300-room hotel, which is expected to be operational by Aug 31, is one of the three international standard hotels planned in Sarawak by construction company Global Upline.

The second 220-room hotel will be built at Jalan Tabuan here while the third hotel has been earmarked for Miri.

PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeane Abdullah looking at the model of the Four Points Hotel Sheraton in Kuching on Tuesday while Global Upline Chairman Tan Sri Ting Phek Khiing ( 3rd left) and Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (centre) looks on

The proposed Four Points by Sheraton will form part of a complex which will also house an office tower.

The hotel and office tower blocks will share a common three-storey podium, which will provide shopping and dinning facilities.

Global Upline managing director Datuk Mohamad Daniel Abong and Starwood Asia director Thomas J. Monahan signed the hotel management agreement.

Daniel said the investments in the hotel industry marked Global Upline’s diversification into the hospitality service sector to cater for the expanding tourism industry.

“Our company has grown tremendously in the past eight years and has completed some RM1bil worth of infrastructure projects,” he said at the ceremony.

According to him. the airports and flyover projects that the company have undertaken are all delivered ahead of time, within budget and with high quality.

Asia Pacific Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide Inc president Miguel Ko said the proposed Four Points by Sheraton Hotel would cater for both mid-scale business and leisure travellers.

He said Starwood’s portfolio of hotel company brands also included Sheraton, Westin, St Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Element and Aloft.

“The Four Point by Sheraton brand, with 136 properties in 16 countries, is consistently rated as a top performer in the mid-priced category by business travellers,” Ko said in his message in the souvenir magazine published to mark the proposed hotel ground breaking yesterday.

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

Make Penang a Top Destination for Tourism

MANAGEMENT of tourism products must be improved to strengthen Penang's position om tje Asean tourism ranking, state Tourism Development and Environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said.

He said the challenge was now to make Penang a premier destination in the region and as such measures should be taken to ‘polish’ existing products to woo more tourists.

“We have to look into many aspects to remain competitive in the field. Top Asean de-stinations such as Bali and Phuket depend solely on tourism.

“But for Penang, tourism is the second highest revenue earner after the electronics industry,” he said after opening the International Meatless Day Charity Carnival 2007 at Esplanade in Penang yesterday.

Extra pair of hands: Teng (centre) preparing meatless burgers with the help of stall operator Khoo Boo Yeang. Looking on is carnival organising chairman Pishu Hassaram.

Teng admitted that this year had been a challenging year for Penang.

“We have yet to check if we have achieved the target set for the year. But we do observe a positive growth despite stiffer competition,” he said, adding that the hotels had been recording an average of 20% increase in room bookings.

During the Meatless Day Charity Carnival, a variety of food and drinks that are free from animal products and by-products were sold.

More than 100 stalls were put up.

Proceeds from the sales will be channelled to Penang Seri Cahaya Welfare Home Organisations, Sadhu Vaswani Welfare Fund and Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion.

Teng said the directory of vegetarian and halal food outlets would be re-designed to make it easier for travellers to carry around.

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

Pesta Sungai Melaka attracts more than 70,000 visitors

River city: A river cruise boat ferrying tourists in a 30-minute journey on the river.

THE tourism industry here has a bright future with the Malacca River rehabilitated and the introduction of more exciting activities.

This was evident at the recent Pesta Sungai Melaka 2007, an eight-day festival along the banks of the river, which attracted more than 70,000 visitors.

In launching the festival, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state was not banking on its past glory to sell Malacca River as the RM91.2mil beautification project launched last year would bring the river on par with the rivers in Venice, Italy, and San Antonio, Texas.

Fun rides: A decorated boat waiting for people to board.

Over 30 activities were held during the festival including fun-filled activities like wall-climbing, flying fox and archery for the more adventurous at the river mouth along Jalan Quayside in Bandar Hilir.

For others, there were aqua bikes, kayaking and island-hopping on boats.

There were also fireworks displays, a decorated boat parade, motorbike and trishaw parades, traditional games and river cruise trips.

Shanta Devi, 43, from Seremban, said the timing of the river festival close to the Deepavali holidays proved right to attract people.

“I came here with my family after we had done all our Deepavali shopping. There are so many activities and my three children kept pestering me to allow them to get on the ferris wheel and do the bungee jump,” she said.

Celebrative: Various traditional dance performances were held during the pesta in Padang Rempah.

The popular ferris wheel dubbed the Eye on Malacca, bungee jump and the pirate ship are the latest attractions launched during the festival.

Newlywed couple, Isaac Fernandez, 26, and Lucia Hernandez, 25, from Spain, said they were impressed by the beautiful and colourful surroundings at the riverbank.

“It was quite romantic taking the 20-minute river cruise with the colourful lights along the banks and we hope to come again for next year’s festival,” said Isaac.

Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said the festival would help the state's tourism industry soar to greater heights.

He said the festival would be an annual event, adding that next year’s event would be bigger and better.

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

MAS named Asia’s best business class airline

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was recently named Asia’s Leading Business Class Airline by the London-based World Travel Awards.

For business class, MAS beat a field of strong Asian contenders such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.

MAS was chosen by travel professionals from some 170,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies, and tourism organisations in more than 160 countries.

“Our employees have worked very hard to improve service delivery as part of our Malaysian hospitality and we believe this award will motivate them to provide even higher standards of customer service,” said MAS managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

This recognition follows the recent announcement where MAS cabin crew was voted World’s Best Cabin Staff in the World Airline Survey conducted by airline auditor Skytrax.

The World Airline Awards are recognised across the globe as the leading independent monitor of passenger opinions.

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

Hard Rock to excite Penang

The resort is situated on nearly five acres of land with approximately two miles of magnificent beachfront on one of Asia’s most popular island destinations. The property, which aims to infuse new excitement and energy into the market, underscores resurgence in tourism and reflects Hard Rock’s strategy to accelerate expansion of the brand worldwide.

Hard Rock International and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) announced today their plans to develop a Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, Malaysia. Hard Rock Hotel Penang will be a luxury resort situated along the famous beaches of Batu Ferringhi, hailed as the Pearl of the Orient.

Coupled with Hard Rock’s tradition of providing luxury, quality service and amenities with a unique rock ‘n’ roll edge, this destination resort will bring a unique entertainment element the island has yet to offer.

“We plan to continue our Asian expansion of the Hard Rock brand with unique, new properties – including urban hotel and destination resorts and cafes,” commented Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International. “We have a long standing and successful partnership with HPL Hotels & Resorts through the Hard Rock Hotel properties in Bali and Pattaya.”

Through a major renovation of the existing property, HPL Hotels & Resorts will completely revamp the existing five-story main building, add additional rooms and maintain one of the two current beachfront bungalows, converting it into a full service luxury spa.

The renovation and expansion will increase guestroom keys from 180 to 255, configured as mostly deluxe rooms with hill, sea, garden or lagoon views. There will also be nine studio suites and one Kings’ suite. Four food and beverage outlets are planned for the resort, which will include a Hard Rock Cafe, an all-day dining restaurant and a bar/lounge.

The resort’s main ballroom and three function rooms offer a total of 5,700 square feet for private events and the meetings, incentives, corporate and exhibitions clientele. Additionally, there will be a fully equipped gym and a specialized kids' club.

A main trademark of the Hard Rock Hotel experience, Hard Rock Hotel Penang will feature an incredible oversized free-form pool, totaling 25,833 square feet, replete with sand islands and luxurious poolside cabanas.

“Penang has eagerly anticipated the entry of an energetic and adventurous hotel brand such as Hard Rock,” says Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts.

“Our company’s projected growth strategy is to continue to open more resorts and hotels in key Asia-Pacific cities that, in partnership with like-minded associates, will assure our guests a satisfying level of comfort backed by personalized service. Hard Rock Hotel Penang could not be more perfect.”

“The Seminole Tribe of Florida is thrilled about further Hard Rock development in Southeast Asia,” notes Max Osceola Jr., Member of the Seminole Tribal Council, “It’s a testament to the brand that we have such incredible strategic partners and ample opportunity for global growth in such interesting locations. We are looking forward to this groundbreaking new property.”

Declared as “Visit Malaysia Year” by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Malaysia is expecting an increase in the number of tourist arrivals to reach approximately 20 million in 2007; up from 17.5 million in 2006.

With the “Visit Malaysia Year” 2007 campaign and the State’s efforts to bring back the glory days of tourism to Penang, the island is expected to see a major resurgence in leisure, transient and business travel with robust gains in overall occupancy and average rates.


Source : 4Hoteliers


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

AirAsia wins Airlines of the Year Award

Low-cost airline AirAsia made Malaysia proud when it won the Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Airline of the year award at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence here last night.

The airline received the award before 300 members of the aviation community at a ceremony held in conjunction with the Aviation Outlook Summit yesterday.

The airline’s group CEO Datuk Tony Fernandes said winning the award was testament of the company’s resilience and cemented AirAsia as the leading and largest airline in Asia.

“This is our best year yet. It exemplifies our endeavour in rising up against the big incumbent players. We have come along way since starting up with only 200,000 passengers six years ago and now we have over 18 million passengers,” he said.

Fernandes said it was a wonder how such a small airline from Malaysia, which started out with RM40mil in debts, could have such an impact on the aviation landscape.

Malaysia also won another award – the Tourism Malaysia bagged the National Tourism Organisation of the Year.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said it was an acknowledgement of the campaign's success.

“We have finally received the attention of the relevant industry players. The Government has given us strong support,” he said, adding that some 20 million tourists were expected to visit Malaysia this year.

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

New Airline Routes for FireFly

Firefly will be flying to Kota Baru and Langkawi from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang from Nov 17.

The introduction of additional flights to and from Subang is the airline’s response to public demand.

With the convenient location of the airport at Subang, air travellers in the Klang Valley need not travel far for their short-haul destinations, said Firefly managing director Eddy Leong.

Firefly’s new routes will give additional travel options, what with the upcoming festive season and school holidays.

An introductory price of RM9.99 will be charged for the two new routes. Bookings are now open and travel period is from Nov 17 to March 29 next year.

The Kota Baru-Subang flight will depart at 8am, and return from Subang at 9.20am, reaching Kota Baru at 10.20am.

The Langkawi flight will depart at 3pm for Subang, and 4.35pm for Langkawi. Firefly will also be adding a third flight daily from Subang to Penang at 12.50pm, and leave Penang at 11.30am for Subang.

Bookings can be made via Firefly’s website at www.fireflyz.com.my, Firefly call centre at 03-7845 4543 (opens daily 8am–9pm) or at its sales office in Komtar, Penang.

For those in the Klang Valley, tickets can be purchased at Firefly’s sales counter at Terminal 3, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang.

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

MAS to buy 10 ATR aircraft

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ATR in Toulouse, France, for the purchase of 10 ATR 72 500s and an option for five more worth a total of US$285mil.

The purchase was in response to the Government’s request that MASWings, a subsidiary of MAS set up to service the air routes of Sabah and Sarawak, expand its services to the two states.

MAS executive director and chief financial officer Tengku Azmil Zahruddin and ATR chief executive officer Stephane Mayer signed the MoU.

MASWings is expected to take delivery of the first five aircraft in 2009 and the next batch in 2010. ATR is a joint venture between EADS and Alenia Aeronautica. The ATR 72 500 is a turboprop six-blade propeller aircraft.

“The new aircraft will enable MASWings to expand its capacity by 150%.

“This will allow MASWings to meet the future demand in air travel within Sabah and Sarawak and connect more customers worldwide to the two states, which are ideal destinations for business and vacation,” Tengku Azmil said in a joint media release with ATR.

He added that with the fleet expansion, MASWings would progressively add new frequencies in addition to expanding its services to more destinations in Sabah and Sarawak.

MASWings, which started operating in both states on Oct 1 this year, currently has four Fokker F50 and four Twin Otter aircraft.

Meanwhile, OSK Investment Bank senior analyst Chris Eng said the acquisition of the aircraft for MASWings would not impact the country’s flagship airline negatively, as the Government footed the bill.

“It just shows that it is keen on maintaining a good level of service,” he said.

Eng added that the MoU signed between MAS and ATR in July for the purchase of 10 ATR 72 500s with an option to purchase another 10 for MAS’ low-cost carrier, Firefly, was another step in showing that it was serious in expanding the Firefly fleet.

Firefly was launched in April this year in Penang and recently started operations in Subang. It currently has a fleet of two Fokker F50 aircraft.

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