ATP set to boost Malaysia Truly Asia brand

The Malaysia Truly Asia brand is set to gain priceless global publicity at the Proton Malaysian Tennis Open, which is part of the ATP World Tour 250 series.

The famous catch phrase will be featured on the Hawk-Eye challenge system, which is the electronic line-calling system used when a player challenges a call on court.

Tournament director Nick Freyer said the system, to be used during the Malaysian Open from Saturday to Oct 4, would be officially known as the “Malaysia Truly Asia Review”.

“Every time a player challenges a call on the centre court, the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia Review’ will swing into action around the world, on televisions across the country and in faraway places, and the four giant screens at the stadium.

“We will be able to see what the correct line-call outcome is through the use of high-speed, high-definition video cameras and powerful computer technology.

Exciting event: Dr Ng and Freyer checking out some Malaysian Open posters Wednesday. — Bernama

“This is going to be a brilliant fan experience and is the first time this has been done in South-East Asia,” he said yesterday at a joint press conference with Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Winners of each match on the centre court will also hit signed tennis balls into the stands, giving fans a chance to get their hands on the autographed balls and claim prizes totalling more than RM100,000.

The nine-day tournament at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil has attracted top tennis stars, including world number eight Nikolay Davydenko and ninth-ranked Fernando Verdasco.

Other stars include former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, Robin Soderling (ranked 11th) Fernando Gonzalez (12) and Gael Monfils (13).

Freyer also said former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis and holder of four ATP Tour titles Taylor Dent would be wild card entries in the tournament, together with another “mystery entry”.

Dent, Freyer said, was an inspirational story for Malaysians as he recovered from two major back surgeries and a year in a body cast before recently playing again.

Meanwhile, Dr Ng said tennis fans were in for a treat at the event, given its diversity of players and attractive prizes for fans.

“Malaysia is privileged to be chosen as one of the five ATP World Tour events in Asia. The event, to be telecast globally, will help boost the economy and tourism industry,” she added.

For more information, visit www.malaysianopentennis.com. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium entrance or online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

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

KK to host sports tourism meet

Tourism ministers from nine countries have confirmed their participation in the inaugural Commonwealth Conference on Sports Tourism in Kota Kinabalu next month.

Commonwealth Tourism Centre’s director-general Abdul Rahman Shaari said some 100 participants from 18 nations had registered for the three-day event from May 13 at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was expected to open the event.

“We have secured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers and presenters whose information-packed presentations would be of a great interest and relevance to all sports tourism industry players,” he said during a mini-roadshow on the conference at Sarawak Tourism Complex here.

Abdul Rahman said the conference would examine three themes – sports tourism development, issues and case studies.

He said Commonwealth countries would host several international sports tourism events between 2010 and 2014.These include Singapore, which will host the Youth Olympic Games in two years’ time.

Abdul Rahman said Sabah and Sarawak had great potential as sports tourism destinations with national parks, diving, river regattas and rafting.

“What is needed is to enhance these tourism products,” he added.

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

Concerted efforts needed to use golf to woo foreign tourists

Concerted efforts are lacking in using golf to woo foreign tourists to Malaysia.

Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said he would get those involved; from the media to owners of golf courses and also those in the transportation sector, to make playing golf in Malaysia attractive.

He said there were over 200 golf courses in Malaysia which were of international standards and the weather also enabled the game to be played all year round.

Lim also agreed with the feedback from European tour operators that Malaysian golf courses were not well-known internationally due to lack of promotion and other problems, particularly transportation.

"Time is an essence for golfers, particularly businessmen, who don't want hassles when travelling," said Lim who is an avid golfer for the last 25 years.

He is leading a delegation from the ministry and private sector for a 12-day official visit to Europe to promote Malaysia to the world.

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