KK promises an eco-friendly waterfront project

OVER the last few decades the narrow shoreline of the once serene coastal town of Kota Kinabalu (KK) has changed.

What KK was, in the 1950s or 1960s, is now almost unrecognisable to those who grew up close to it.

It has rapidly changed its face over the last three decades with most of the city centre built on reclaimed land.

Today, Kota Kinabalu City Hall is striving to strike a balance in preserving its old environment, while pushing for development to make the city a world-class leisure and tourism spot, in line with the objectives of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

Impressive real estate: An artist’s impression of the Kota Kinabalu waterfront.

This rainforest city of over 300,000 people will play the leading role as the gateway to Sabah, which aims to be one of the most liveable places in Asia.

For city planners it is also crucial that the city is ready to impress and help the state woo some RM105bil in development projects for investments under the SDC’s 18-year overall economic development plan.

Environmentalist, however, are worried about pushing Kota Kinabalu's shoreline further into the sea as they believe further changes would bring irreparable consequences to city’s very own treasure.

Their concern is on the proposed Kota Kinabalu waterfront project that offers to transform Kota Kinabalu into an integrated mixed development along a section of the Kota Kinabalu town’s coastline.

The Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront, expected to be completed by 2010, will feature the key attraction of a 2km long boardwalk, built using eco-friendly materials rising above the sea on stilts.

Waterfront Urban Development Sdn Bhd (WUD) is carrying out the entire project in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City (DBKK).

The project is among those identified under the SDC that aims to make Sabah a major destination for both leisure and business tourism and has also caught the attention of Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd (KFHMB) and a consortium of Middle Eastern and Malaysian investors.

At the launch of the SDC, a tripartite agreement was signed between WUD, KFH and Intonasi Intan Sdn Bhd witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

WUD managing director Reymee Mohamed Hussein said the development would incorporate environmentally friendly features like hi-tech LED lighting, energy conserving air conditioning systems and solar powered pedestrian lighting along the boardwalk.

Reymee, together with Geoffrey P.J. Lee, conceptualised the Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront development masterplan with DBKK.

He gave the assurance that there would be no reclamation work.

“It is primarily to increase the role of a coastal city like Kota Kinabalu to become a catalystfor the modernisation and development in Sabah,” said Reymee, adding that the RM500mil project was conceptualised after studying several thriving world class international waterfront attractions like Darling Harbour (Australia), Cape Town Waterfront (South Africa), Victoria Harbour (Hong Kong), Canary Wharf (London) and Clark Quay Riverside (Singapore).

The development will also spur economic growth for Kota Kinabalu and provide employment and new business opportunities to local residents and businesses.

“Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront will feature one of the longest city waterfront boardwalks in Asia and is poised to become the city’s prime tourist attraction. It will be an integral part of Sabah’s hospitality industry,” Reymee said.

Sabah Environment Protection Association president Datuk Sue Jayasuriya said there was a need to ensure that any development did not turn the rainforest city into a concrete jungle.

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

May date for Malaysia’s First Tourism Trade Show - Asia International Tourism Expo (AITE)

Malaysia will hold its first international tourism trade show in May.

Themed Asia International Tourism Expo (Aite) 2008, the expo will serve as platform for local and foreign industry players to network and showcase their tourism products.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said an exposition on such a scale was important in promoting a more efficient market in the travel trade.

“It acts as a catalyst of physical contact and exchange between buyers and sellers,” he said at a news conference here yesterday.

The exposition will showcase not only local but also international tourism products, with buyers and sellers from the Asian and European regions.

“It is the perfect place to explore new marketing trends and learn about foreign tourism products,” he said, adding that there were plans to make the exposition an annual affair.

Malaysian Association of Tour And Travel Agents (Matta) president Ngiam Foon, who was present, said, “Those who attend the expo will definitely have the chance to learn and experience more international tourism products.”

Aite 2008 is expected to be on par with the London World Travel Market, International Tourism Berlin and Arabian Travel Market expositions.

Some 200 buyers and sellers were expected to participated at Aite 2008, including car rental companies, hoteliers, health resorts and spas, ground transportation providers, and cruise lines.

Aite 2008, to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre here, is jointly organised by Matta, the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, Malaysian Indian Tourism Association and Bumiputra Travel and Tours Association Malaysia.

The show, which will run from May 22 to 25 and includes two days of business-to-business sessions, will be open to public on the last day.

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

Thrill of Le Tour de Langkawi curtain raiser

CYCLING enthusiasts felt the pulse and shared excitement of the 13th edition of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) at the Kayuhan LTdL08 held in front of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Sunday.

Those who showed up at the Tour's curtain raiser sponsored by the Amanah Raya Berhad savoured the rare privilege to rub shoulders with Meitan Hompo – GDR team trio of Koji Fukushima and his brother Shinichi Fukushima along with Malaysia's Ng Yong Li.

Ng is the sole non-Japanese in the line-up of the six riders team.

Switching gear: Koji checking out Omar's (in blue) solar cycle while his brother Shinichi looks on

Another three riders for the side are Yukiya Arashiro, Takashi Miya-zawa and Miyataka Shimizu.

The 34-year-old Koji said he is pleased to be back here to compete in the Tour.

He wooed his fans with his friendly gestures as well as his attempt to converse in Malay with the locals.

Besides giving away postcards with his image on it, Koji also obliged in signing autograph and posing for photos.

This season, the Tour drew a record turnout of 25 teams comprising professional tour, professional continental, continental and Asian sides.

They will vie for honours in the nine-stage Tour travelling a total distance of 1377.4km from Feb 9 to 17.

“I am really happy to be here. For the up coming Tour, teamwork is crucial to ensure that our team win at least a stage victory. We will keep on attacking to get on the podium,” added Koji, who is renowned for his harmonica blowing antics on the saddle.

Going around the circuit: Azalina (centre) joining the participants in the fun ride.

About 2,000 participants took part in the fun ride.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Putrajaya Corporation president Tan Sri Samsudin Osman also graced the event.

Prior to the ride, the organisers also gave away bicycles to the less privileged.

In addition, sponsors for the Tour also stepped forward to reinforce their commitments and presented their contributions to Azalina.

At the starting line, the solar bicycle from Universiti Tenaga National pedalled by Omar Sirat drew huge attention.

Omar said he covered a total distance of 2,500km over five days at the World Solar Cycle Challenge held in Australia in 2006.

The dignitaries also joined representative from corporate companies, NGOs, tourists and students in the brief 1km ride while the avid cyclists went on the 40km route.

Off they go: The cyclists pedalling around the 1km fun ride route

Zulhasnan's wife Datin Seri Siti Nooriah Ana Abdul Razak flagged off the participants.

Former cycling icon Shaharudin Jaffar, two-time Olympian (1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico) Ng Joo Pong and former national women’s cyclist Diljan Mushalkhan were also part of the Pedal Power Cycling Group from Shah Alam.

“For the young cyclists, the event was a refreshing change from their weekly training routine. It was an opportunity for them to feel the different environment cycling here in Putrajaya. Usually, we train at the Taman Tasik Shah Alam,” said Shaharudin.

In addition, the Kolej Sultan Alaed-din Sulaiman Shah residents from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) also featured in the ride.

UPM corporate communications officer Kamarol Abu Bakar said they encourage their students to cycle as part of their environment friendly initiative.

“A total of 19 of them signed up for the ride. They usually commute around the campus on their bicycles,” he added.

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

MAS aims for up to RM1bil cost savings

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) hopes to realise cost savings of up to RM1bil over the next 12 to 18 months with several initiatives and cost reduction programmes in place.

With a lower cost base, MAS – which is transforming itself into a five-star value carrier (FSVC) – hopes to “offer more competitive fares” that would hopefully allow it to carry 25 million passengers by 2012.

The bulk of the cost savings would be factored into this year, as the various initiatives are at different stages of implementation.

Cost saving is one of the five steps outlined in MAS' five-year business transformation plan (BTP) launched yesterday to turn the national carrier into a FSVC.

Managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala said although the plan might be ambitious and there were challenges in its implementation, he admitted that MAS “needs a business transformation or it will fail.”

Datuk Seri Idris Jala (left) and Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz at the briefing on MAS business transformation plan

There are 493 initiatives that look at, among other things, revamp in procurement, introduction of meal boxes, reduction in meal wastages, renegotiation of hotel rates for crew members, measures to save on jet fuel, introduction of alternative airports and revision in taxi fuel policy to minimise fuel burn off.

The BTP also involves measures by MAS to offer five-star quality products and services, competitive fares, get more customers and revenue, as well as grow its network and capacity.

The airline aims to record an annual net profit of more than RM1bil up to 2012.

“We believe that if we aim for the best and stretch our limits, we will achieve an annual profit of RM1.5bil by 2012, even after factoring in the industry’s challenges,” Jala said. The projections were based on crude oil prices at US$100 per barrel.

Jala is confident that MAS could achieve RM2bil to RM3bil in profit per annum if all went as planned but “without the plan, MAS could potentially lose RM1bil in a worst-case scenario by 2012”, given the intense competition and demand outstripping supply with overcapacity.

This is the second plan the airline has unveiled since Jala was appointed MD in 2005. In February 2006, the business turnaround plan was launched to steer the airline back into the black.

For the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2007, MAS reported a net profit of RM610mil. Analysts expect MAS to net nearly RM1bil in net profit for the full year.

By reducing its overall costs, the airline believes it would be able to offer more competitive fares.

It would focus on the leisure market, which is essentially a price sensitive market. Given the competition from the low-cost carriers, MAS has to be in a position to offer fares that are competitive enough to attract the leisure travellers.

Jala added that MAS would add more seats to its economy class by removing some of its business class seats.

He said the airline's core network would be in Asean, China and India. It would restructure its North American and Middle East routes, monitor its South American and South African routes, and operate its Australian and European markets via a hub and spoke strategy.

MAS also intend to expand its fleet, going forward, and take ownership of new planes serving its core network.

It has yet to order more aircraft and executive director/CFO Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin said a decision would be made this quarter on new orders.

On the status of the six A380s, Azmil said the airline was not happy with the continued delay in delivery of the first A380 and was still looking at getting compensation from Airbus.

Jala said the focus now was to “make use of existing assets” but that did not mean the airline was not sourcing for new ventures.

It was in negotiations for a joint venture to set up maintenance, repair and overhaul operations with Qantas in Subang, he said.

Entering into an alliance is also conceivable by 2012 and to Jala “this is crucial as we need to belong to a tribe (alliance).

“MAS is looking slightly more beautiful as we are more confident now and we would be able to do a lot more things (in the future).”

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

AirAsia X flies to Hangzhou

AirAsia X began operating flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou in China, the low-cost carrier's second foreign destination.

The first flight left KL International Airport's low-cost carrier terminal yesterday morning.

Hangzhou is located about two hours from Shanghai by bus.

AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani joined the passengers on the first flight.

The company, in a press release, said that more than 10,000 seats valued at some RM5mil had been snapped up for between February and March.

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

Higher leasing cost delays AirAsia X’s flight to London

Higher leasing cost is holding up AirAsia X’s plan to launch its maiden flight to London, said its chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani.

“The delay in the delivery of the Boeing 787 has led to an increase in the cost of leasing the Airbus A340, which is the aircraft we wanted to use on the London route.

“Hence, demand has surpassed the supply,” he said on the sideline of AirAsia Bhd’s maiden flight to here yesterday.

In September last year, Azran said AirAsia X had already secured the landing rights for Standsted airport, its London destination. It plans to fly on a daily basis using the A340, which can fly the route non-stop.

AirAsia X’s sales and bookings for the route were supposed to begin in February.

Meanwhile, plans to fly to China, Amritsar in India and Melbourne in Australia using the Airbus A330 aircraft were going on smoothly, he said.

“Two of the three destinations will take off this year,” said Azran, adding that the slower global economic growth would not dampen AirAsia X’s growth.

On the positive side, it might actually help AirAsia X because lower demand due to slower economic growth would eventually bring down leasing costs, he said.

AirAsia Bhd’s group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes echoed Azran saying: “Travelling has become part of the social need now. History shows that low-cost carriers can actually benefit from recession as people will be willing to trade down extra facilities to travel.”

“I am predicting a very bad recession. It is here. There are too many bubbles in the US economy,” he added.

Fernandes also said that AirAsia X had new shareholders from the Middle East and North Asia. They will be announced in two weeks.

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

LCCT may become cargo hub when new terminal is up

Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd is considering turning the existing Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) into a cargo transportation hub when the new LCCT is ready in the next three to four years.

This was one option being considered, said managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad.

Stewardesses posing next to a Tiger Airways plane.

He said the shift to the new location was imminent as the LCCT would not be able to accommodate the projected growth in passenger volume.

The LCCT has the capacity to handle 10 million passengers annually. This capacity would increase to about 15 million passengers upon completion of renovation work by year-end.

“Expansion work on the LCCT will commence by end of this month,” Bashir said after welcoming Tiger Airways, the second Singapore Airline-owned low-cost carrier to utilise the LCCT.

On the new LCCT next to the KL International Airport (KLIA) main terminal, he said it would handle 25 million to 30 million passengers annually.

He also said an announcement on a theme park in KLIA would be made in the next two to three months.

With its inaugural flight yesterday, Tiger Airways has become the 56th international airline to fly to KLIA.

“The arrival of Tiger Airways is a good indication particularly for LCCT-KLIA towards attracting more airlines.

“The service will further strengthen air connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore as it complements the current service by Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines,” he said.

AirAsia and Jetstar Asia also started flying the same route yesterday.

Tiger Airways took to the skies from Singapore in September 2004 with two aircraft in its fleet and three routes in its network. Within three years of operation, it now flies to more than 25 destinations across eight countries in Asia Pacific on a fleet of brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft.

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

New Meaning of MH to MAS

IT took Malaysia Airlines (MAS) a long time to realise that its MH code could be put to better use. Not only does the airline's top brass admit this but so do some of its employees.

Over the past months, MAS has given the airline's MH code a new identity – Malaysian Hospitality – and that could be its differentiating factor when pitted against other airlines.

To MAS managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Malaysians are hospitable people and once the new identity is embraced, MAS employees will not merely be employees but hosts.

To him, those who fly MAS are not passengers but guests and their journey should be a “delightful experience” from the first touch point to the end of the journey.

He is so excited with code MH that he calls himself the Chief MH Officer.

But the right attitude is needed if MAS wants to win big time with the identity. To an employee, the crew can make or break MAS with their attitude since any mistake made by an employee is akin to a mistake by MAS and that brings its glorious name down.

So, how the host engages with its guests is what Jala wants its employees to be aware of.

And it was no coincidence when Jala, at a media briefing yesterday, spoke of the need for “everyone in MAS to be always humble.” To him, being humble could win some hearts but that message has to be “driven all the way through the company.”

Jala spent more than two hours explaining in detail why MH was so crucial and how the new business transformation plan (BTP) launched yesterday would ensure the airline's profit sustainability up to 2012.

This is necessary since the whole aviation landscape is evolving with the impending liberalisation and the entry of low-cost carriers.

MAS cannot continue to operate with its present high cost structure, which it needs to bring down to be competitive and be in a position to price its fares competitively.

Jala is set to make the transformation work, even if it means changing the mindset of the 16,000-odd employees. To him, if the journey was not taken, MAS' books would be tainted with red ink in 2012.

Over the past two years, various labs had been set up and 493 initiatives launched. There has been progress in many areas and the RM60 plate of nasi lemak is certainly no longer on the menu as the procurement department has been overhauled.

Outsourcing is one way of reducing costs, so is code sharing and striking an alliance is inevitable in the future. Even a change of uniform for the crew is in the pipeline to give MH a fresher look.

But what could possibly go wrong in the implementation of the ambitious BTP plan?

To Jala, complacency has seen major companies fall from glory. But this man is not going to allow that, as he is going to do whatever it takes for MAS to go on the new journey and deliver the projections made in its 100-page document.

This is one man who also ensures that if he decides to call it a day, he has a succession plan in place for MAS. His choice candidate is Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin but this is for MAS shareholders to decide.

Jala’s three-year term comes to an end at the end of this year and it is still early days to speculate whether he would stay. But by the look of things and given the fact that he has come up with an ambitious five-year plan, he looks certain to continue driving MAS for a very long time.

Jala admits that the plan cannot reach fruition without the help of everyone at MAS. Two years after making the same plea, he is still asking employees to do their part to achieve greatness.

In a video shown to the media yesterday, a cross section of employees interviewed showed support for Jala. One employee expressed that “all of us want to see MAS grow and we are dying to contribute and we would do whatever it takes to get MAS on track.”

That may be a message from one person but it is essentially the voice of many. Jala may be able to deliver what he has promised but he must also reward all employees and not just a small section of the workforce when times change for the better at MAS.

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