More choices for travellers

TRAVELLING trends are changing and our local aviation industry has picked up on the changes.

Yesterday, KL International Airport (KLIA) and Malaysia Airports Bhd (MAB) launched the first phase of the Next Generation Hub, a web portal called www.flyklia.com, which provides an itinerary builder that integrates all airlines' schedules and fare, including full service carriers and low-cost carriers.

Through this web portal, travellers are able to choose the lowest fare and the quickest route to a destination.

A STEP FORWARD: (From left) Datuk Azmi Murad MAB senior general manager of operations, Yusof Javidi chairman of KLIA airline operators communication, Bashir, Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman chairman of MAB, Mohamed Sallaudin Mat Sah general manager of marketing, Umar Bustamam CEO of Evaman and Faizal Mansur MAB CFO

“We may not be the first to offer such services to travellers but we are the most updated,” said MAB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad.

He added that this portal also serves to facilitate people to use Kuala Lumpur as a transit point. In the past, such information was possible but required much more work and hassle. With one website to find the connections, travellers can save time.

The flight planner on the portal, which is free, searches more than 660 airlines worldwide for the best flights and connections available. The search results include links to airlines and other travel portals where travellers can book flights directly.

“The portal empowers the traveller with tools to build unique itineraries. At a touch of a button, travellers may choose to arrive at their destination on full-service carriers and depart on a low-cost carrier. Such combinations would not show up on a regular booking engine.”

Moreover, the website is easy to navigate, said Bashir.

With the launch of the website, Malaysia Airports is also excited to introduce the new “KLIA Next Generation Hub — The new way to the world” branding to convey a new way of doing things for both passengers and airlines.

As for what phase two of the plan will be, Bashir said it will be announced when the time comes.

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

Plans For More Cititel Express Hotels In Sabah

Malaysia's home-grown hotel management company Cititel Hotel Management (CHM) plans to open up more hotels under its Cititel Express brand in Sabah and Sarawak soon.

CHM Managing Director Datuk Eric Lim said the company was in the process of seeking prospective sites for the purpose.

"We will focus on state capital first before moving to secondary locations in Sabah and Sarawak," he told reporters after the launch of its first Cititel Express hotel here by Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, on Tuesday.

The new 275-room Cititel Express, located in the heart of the city, is within the Asia City complex, and 10-minute drive from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. It is also just a stone's throw from the famous Filipino Market and KK Esplanade.

"Our direction is clear for east Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). We are confident of the various economic activities taking place here including the Sabah Corridor Development (SDC)," he said.

However, Lim said CHM was not setting any time line to open up more Cititel Express here but would go for it "when the opportunity arises."

CHM is a subsidiary of IGB Corporation Bhd, a property and investment holding company listed on the Malaysian Stock EXchange, renowned for its numerous high-end commercial, residential and retail development inclusive of Malaysia's popular shopping destination Mid Valley City.

On Cititel Express, he said in May 2007, IGB corporation Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) to reactivate the hotel.

"When we mobilised on site work in June 2008, only three floors of this building were completed then, and after 14 months, the Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu became a reality, our group's second hotel under the Cititel Express brand in the country," he said.

Lim said CHM had invested some RM30 million to compete the project, and SEDCO leased out the property to CHM for 30 years under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) agreement.

He said CHM would reopen its five-star MiCasa All Suite Hotel in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this year and open up its first hotel in Makati, Philippines under the name of ST. Giles next year.


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

KLIA Enters First Phase As Next Generation Hub

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), in keeping with current travel trends and technology savvy travellers, today launched the first phase of its Next Generation Hub programme.

As part of the programme, the KL International Airport (KLIA) is being positioned as a next generation hub, a premier airport that will enable passengers to connect seamlessly amongst all types of carriers including full service airlines and low-cost carriers to all destinations served from KLIA.

For a start, MAHB and KLIA launched the web portal www.flyklia.com, which provides an itinerary builder that integrates all airlines schedules and fares, including full service carriers and low-cost carriers.

"We want to come out with facilities that help the passengers to travel in our airport in a more comfortable manner," MAHB's managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad told reporters after the web portal launch here Tuesday.

"We hope people will make use of it. The aviation industry is changing. Ten years ago it was different. Today, passengers can actually choose their own itinerary, their own fares.

"Ten years from now, I'm sure the industry will change from what it is now and we are going to be ready for it,"

Currently, there are 54 airlines in KLIA featured in the website.

Asked whether the airport operator will add more airlines in the website, Bashir said they will be added as they come on board.

The itinerary builder was developed in partnership with an Iceland-based technology company which provides innovative technology solutions for the travel industry.

The Flight Planner, which is free to use, searches more than 660 airlines worldwide for the best flights and connections available.

The search results include links to airlines and other travel portals where travellers can book flights directly.

Besides flight booking options, the website also features information such as the operating airlines at KLIA, facilities available and environmental efforts at KLIA.

The portal would be continually enhanced and for the next phase of development, MAHB is already looking at including hotel booking engine which will compare prices for properties in and outside Malaysia.

MAHB also plans to add an Airport Frequent Connector Loyalty programme, which is aimed at rewarding the frequent travellers.

On news report regarding MAHB to announce a new set of financial incentives for airlines that fly out of the 39 airports it operates in the country, Bashir said discussions will be held with the airlines the next one or two weeks before an announcement is made.

"The incentives are actually to reward the airlines that bring business to the airport (KLIA)," Bashir said.



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

Malaysia enjoys bumper July in Tourist Arrivals

MALAYSIA recorded a total of two million tourist arrivals for the month of July 2009 – an increase of 3.9 per cent – up from 1.9 million visitors for the same month in 2008, according to data released by Tourism Malaysia.

Cumulatively, tourist arrivals recorded from January to July this year reached 13.35 million, representing an increase of 3.6 per cent compared to 12.89 million for the same period in 2008.

The top 10 tourist-generating markets for July were Singapore (1,029,421), Indonesia (214,073), Thailand (120,940), China (including Hong Kong & Macau) (89,782), Brunei (51,055), Australia (50,132), India (44,797), the UK (42,821), the Philippines (33,717), and Japan (33,458).


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

Google Maps making its mark among Malaysians

THE online map, which is becoming popular globally, is a new business opportunity for the Malaysian market. It is also an alternative tool in promoting tourism, instead of the conventional advertising platform like the print and electronic media.

“Many people are realising the benefits of online mapping as there is so much more information you can obtain from it,” says South-East Asia marketing head of Google Inc, Derek Callow.

People can look out for places they would travel to or seek information, such as hotel or restaurant listings, and places of interest to visit and events though the online map, he says.

“It would be a great tool to showcase beautiful and diverse Malaysia to the rest of the world.

Callow

“Malaysians, for instance, are becoming avid users of Google Maps Malaysia to search for geographic information online,” he says, adding that many people are already creating their own customised maps for personal use or to be shared publicly.

For instance, many food bloggers have listed their favourite eateries and included them on their websites or blogs.

Google Inc operates Google Maps, the number one online map in the world, and launched its Google Maps Malaysia in May this year.

It is more than just addresses and directions. It is a virtual guidebook filled with detailed, up-close information on local places and businesses with local insights, photos and videos created by people who live or have been there, and more.

On the profit that can be generated from the online map service, Callow says the company is not focusing on monetising Google Maps. “Our goal is to provide a free online map platform to connect users and businesses with geographic information.

“Businesses are encouraged to add their company listings and details for free on Google Maps, for example.”

What are the business opportunities that the market can explore on the online map service?

As Google is providing a free marketing channel for Malaysian businesses and small and medium enterprises to be listed on Google Maps, it is thus directing potential customers to their sites.

“Businesses can increase their visibility online by registering their details for free under the service,” he says, adding that business owners can also view detailed information about how users would interact with their listings, and attract more online traffic and potential customers to their businesses.

Vincent Kok, the chief operating officer of Creative Advances Technology Sdn Bhd, the operator of Virtual Malaysia Google Mapplets, says online maps have become more accessible nowadays, especially free maps with street information.

Kok

Virtual Malaysia is chosen by Google Maps to be the only travel content partner in Malaysia.

“Our own traffic statistics have shown that since we launched our new geocoded map, such usage has grown by 140%,” Kok says, adding that its maps are also linked to travel packages, and driving directions with estimates of travelling time to the desired destinations.

“We think that maps are more popular in Western countries as street information has been available in those countries for a long time. As for Malaysia, we see the potential usage of online maps growing,” he says.

Other sites that provide street-mapping information for Malaysia include maps.yahoo.com, streetdirectory.com/malaysia and maps.mapking.com, malaysia-maps.com, and map.com.my.

“Maps are an integral part of the travel-planning experience and not being listed could limit the opportunity for them (destinations) to be discovered by travellers,” he says.

From a user’s point of view, Ang Yong Shing says the online map is very useful, especially for someone who is new to a place.

“It helps us to know more about the location and its landmarks,” he says, adding that it is efficient in promoting the tourism industry as this is a free advertising channel.

He urges travel agencies to upload their listings on the online map.

Unfortunately, he says, some of the small places or roads are not visible as the online map is only popular in cities but not really rural areas due to the lower usage of the Internet service.

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

Tourism Malaysia On The Road Again

Tourism Malaysia is in the midst of its fourth annual roadshow to provincial and regional cities in the states of Victoria and Tasmania.

Led by Tourism Malaysia Melbourne business development manager Hasanti Perera, the touring team includes wholesalers and package promoters.

Among them are Creative Holidays, Viva/Qantas Holidays, Adventure World, Adventure Destinations, Peregrine Adventures, Club Med, Octopus Travel and Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

Cities in the itinerary include Traralgon, Frankston, Albury/Wodonga, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong, Launceston and Hobart.

"Some of these towns and cities are quiet far from Melbourne and when we have our travel seminars and programmes in Melbourne, travel agents in outlying areas find it difficult to leave their offices to attend. "So we go to them. We promote Malaysia as a tourist destination and the wholesalers promote their tour packages," said Tourism Malaysia Melbourne director Putra Hilmy Elias.

Putra said turnouts at these provincial roadshows have been fantastic.

"They pay rich dividends for us and they are cost-friendly.

"The global financial downturn will affect our business, but we are confident the Australians, who have weathered the economic storm better than most other wealthy countries, will continue to flock to Malaysia in increasing numbers," he said.

Putra said "Malaysia My Second Home" programme is also being promoted in regional cities.

"We distribute MY2H kits to all those who attend our roadshows," he added.

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

Firefly puts flights from 3 states to Singapore on hold

NATIONAL turboprop operator Firefly has put two more flights to Singapore on hold after postponing the Malacca-Singapore route due to technical issues, among others.

It is postponing Singapore flights from Kota Baru, Kelantan, and Alor Star, Kedah, due to the absence of refuelling activities at the airports.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddy Leong said the Malacca flights have been postponed as it needed to re-strategise to meet the request by the Malacca state authorities for Indonesian routes, rather than into Singapore.

"Malacca Airport also currently has no ground handler and refuelling facilities, which we would need to address in order to activate the airport in a significant manner," he told Business Times.

Last week, Bernama reported that Firefly had aborted plans to fly the Malacca-Singapore route.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the airline had withdrawn and put the blame on the state government for failure to promote the Malacca-Singapore sector.

"Firefly also expects a RM70 incentive from the state government on seats not sold," he had said, adding that the amount to be absorbed by the state authorities was unreasonable.

Leong, however, has clarified that Firefly does not operate on a subsidised basis and said the chief minister was misinformed.

"When we operate new secondary routes where traffic is thin and a lot of developmental efforts are involved, we request that stakeholders such as the state government, hoteliers and tourism operators contribute in marketing support to drive passenger traffic," he said.

In most cases, hotels and travel agents will offer lower rates and combined with Firefly's fares, they would create attractive packages.

"On our part, we will invest significantly in advertisement, promotion and marketing activities. Where the initial cost is significant, we seek the support of state governments to ease the burden."

Firefly plans to meet the chief minister to table a new proposal where it plans to fly to many points in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, from Malacca.

Leong said Firefly's collaboration with the Perak Government on the Ipoh-Singapore flights which began last month is progressing well.

"We are now planning to increase the frequency of our four times a week to daily flights from September 1 and this is now pending approval from the relevant authorities," he said.

Oops! Venice for a penny: Hotel offers 1-cent romantic weekend by mistake

A four-star hotel near Venice mistakenly offered the ultimate low-cost vacation _ a romantic weekend in the Italian lagoon city for 1 euro cent.

Not surprisingly, the Crowne Plaza in Quarto D'Altino, 15.5 miles (25 kilometres) from Venice, received bookings for the equivalent of 1,400 room nights on the night the rate was posted on its Web site, the hotel chain acknowledged. And it seems those bookings may be valid.

The hotel first thought the offer was posted by a hacker, sales manager Fulvio Danesin said Friday. But it turned out to be human error at the Atlanta, Georgia, offices of Intercontinental Hotels Group, the hotel's mother company, he said.

The offer was supposed to be for a two-night stay at half price. A night at the 151-room hotel normally costs between C90 ($128) and C150 ($214).

The 1-cent rate was up only Sunday night, but that was long enough for travellers to book dates running from October through 2010, Danesin said. The hotel stands to lose C90,000 ($129,000), he said.

Monica Smith, media relations manager for the hotel group in the U.S. , said Friday that some 228 guests made reservations for the equivalent of 1,400 room nights while the error was on the Web site and that the reservations would be honoured.

''Although a pricing error, IHG is committed to honouring the 1-cent rate for guests who have a valid confirmation,'' Smith said. She added that rooms booked at the low rate ''are nontransferable.'''

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