Singapore, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) emerged as the top tourism source market for affluent travellers considering visiting Malaysia in the next two years.
This was revealed by the Visa-Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Asia Pacific Travel Intentions Survey 2010 conducted online in May which asked 6,714 respondents from 13 key Asia-Pacific travel source markets including Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea about past and future travel plans.
Visa Malaysia Country Manager Stuart Tomlinson said among affluent travelers looking to head to Malaysia, 22 pe rcent were from Singapore, 17 per cent from the US and 16 per cent from the UK.
"This fact marks a bright spot for the (tourism) industry. Malaysia is blessed with a unique blend of culture and heritage, great food and dining, important historical sites and some of the best natural sceneries in the world," he said in a statement distributed during the one-day National Tourism Seminar 2010 "Tourism Futures:Evolving Towards High Income Tourism" organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) here Thursday.
The seminar was opened by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Tomlinson said the survey's findings highlight the ministry's fine work in promoting Malaysia as a unique travel destination. "Visa is committed to supporting Malaysia's ambitions to draw more affluent travellers to the country and we will work with the Tourism Ministry to help attract this segment," he said.
He said the survey also revealed the profile of this affluent traveller groups with most of them in it being professionals, managers, executive or businessmen, aged 40 years old and married. They are most attracted to destinations with natural sceneries (88 percent), new places (82 percent), good food (81 percent), sunshine and beaches and good weather (80 percent), he said.
Tomlinson said 34 per cent of the affluent respondents also said they were attracted to destinations with outdoor sports and activities with golf (33 per cent) positioned at the top of the list. "For those who have previously visited Malaysia, 69 per cent of respondents said they would be drawn to visit again due to the good food and dining," he added.
Source : Bernama
Friday, October 01, 2010
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."
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.
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
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
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Royal Jordanian and MH sign free sale code-share agreement
Royal Jordanian and Malaysia Airline (MH), the national carrier of Malaysia, signed a unilateral free sale code-share agreement, whereby MH is the marketing carrier, placing its code on RJ flights operated on Amman-Kuala Lumpur-Amman sector.
The agreement has been effective since September 1, 2010.
RJ President/CEO Hussein Dabbas, who signed the agreement with MH Managing Director Tengku Dato' Azmil Zaharuddin, said: "The code-share agreement between RJ and MH is a free flow agreement whereby MH may sell unlimited seats on each Amman-Kuala Lumpur-Amman flight.”
Dabbas added: “After resuming its regular flights to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on June 2, after a 7-year suspension in operations between the two countries due to the weak economic feasibility of the route over the past years, this move comes as a result of the economic revival and the growth of commercial activity and tourism between the two countries.
“This will offer new opportunities for passengers and will boost the tourism sector as Malaysia is considered a gateway to Southeast Asia, particularly in the economic field where it will serve the traffic of businessmen and students.”
Royal Jordanian operates three flights a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using its recently introduced Airbus A330s.
Dabbas added that RJ is also preparing to transform a code-share agreement from bilateral to unilateral with British Airways; it comes after having implemented the Amadeus system in October 2010. Next year, RJ is planning to increase the number of code-share agreements with its oneworld partners.
Currently, Royal Jordanian has marketing alliances, through code sharing, with several international airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, US Airways, Iberia, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Siberia airlines (S7), Tarom, Gulf Air, Syrian Airlines and Yemen Airways.
Zaharuddin expressed satisfaction with the agreement with Royal Jordanian:
“RJ is a highly appreciated airline, and thus clients will enjoy the high-class services RJ offers them on board its aircraft.
“MH guests will enjoy the same services as those provided to the RJ passengers. Crown Class passengers will have the opportunity to benefit from the extended services provided by the operating carrier.”
New Visit Packages At Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Twin Towers will be offering new visit packages from Oct 1 to give the public an enhanced and more exciting experience when they tour Malaysia's popular tourist spot.
In a statement Monday, Petronas said the packages to be introduced, in addition to the existing Skybridge tour on Level 41, will include a visit to an observation deck on a top floor of Tower 2 and a meal at the Malaysian Petroleum Club (MPC) within Tower 2.
Fees for the packages will start from as low as RM3 per person for the basic Skybridge tour to RM350 per person for the premium package, it said, adding that the premium package will also include a fine dining experience at the exclusive, members-only MPC, almost half-way up the world's tallest twin towers.
The packages were introduced in support of the government's aspiration to realise the tourism potential of the Petronas Twin Towers and the attractions within their vicinity, such as the Suria KLCC Shopping Complex, the KLCC Park, Petrosains, Gallery Petronas, Aquaria and the Malaysian Philharmonic Petronas, the statement said.
These attractions would help position the towers as a premier tourism attraction enjoyed by other iconic buildings around the world, it added.
Petronas has plans to enhance the tour experiences of the buildings in the near future, including extending the visit operation hours, providing a more spacious viewing deck, and enhancing the Visitors Centre, ticketing facilities and other related visitor amenities.
In a statement Monday, Petronas said the packages to be introduced, in addition to the existing Skybridge tour on Level 41, will include a visit to an observation deck on a top floor of Tower 2 and a meal at the Malaysian Petroleum Club (MPC) within Tower 2.
Fees for the packages will start from as low as RM3 per person for the basic Skybridge tour to RM350 per person for the premium package, it said, adding that the premium package will also include a fine dining experience at the exclusive, members-only MPC, almost half-way up the world's tallest twin towers.
The packages were introduced in support of the government's aspiration to realise the tourism potential of the Petronas Twin Towers and the attractions within their vicinity, such as the Suria KLCC Shopping Complex, the KLCC Park, Petrosains, Gallery Petronas, Aquaria and the Malaysian Philharmonic Petronas, the statement said.
These attractions would help position the towers as a premier tourism attraction enjoyed by other iconic buildings around the world, it added.
Petronas has plans to enhance the tour experiences of the buildings in the near future, including extending the visit operation hours, providing a more spacious viewing deck, and enhancing the Visitors Centre, ticketing facilities and other related visitor amenities.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tourism Malaysia targets MICE market
Tourism Malaysia is targeting the meeting, incentive, conference and events market after recording consistent growth in MICE visitor numbers in recent years. There were an estimated 1.18 million MICE arrivals in 2009, a 150% increase since the opening on the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in 2005.
For Australians, Malaysia’s state of the art facilities, value for money, close proximity and stability make it a popular choice. In the first six months of 2010, 2.7% of short term departures from Australia to Malaysia travelled for a conference or meeting, which was stable compared to the same period the previous year.
Kuala Lumpur has also recently leaped five spots to the 22nd position in the latest ICCA International Congress and Convention Association city rankings while Malaysia moved up one position to 32nd in the country rankings.
With a booming industry, product development in Malaysia has been significant. In 2010 no less than five new luxury resort developments will open with a total of 270 rooms. An additional 14 new resorts are planned before 2014.
Shahrin Mokhtar, director Tourism Malaysia Sydney says that Malaysia has maintained its position as a premier MICE destination in what was a challenging time for the overall industry. “Malaysia has been able to capitalise on conference organisers looking for destinations that offer value for money, are close to Australia and still offer attractions with a point of difference,” he said.
Malaysia is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best value for money destinations. This year Malaysia was listed as one of the best value destinations in the world by Lonely Planet and in 2009 Malaysia ranked as the 4th most price competitive country in the world according to the Travel and Tourism Competitive index by the World Economic Forum.
Malaysia has a growing number of venue options for small to large conventions including two well developed conference hubs in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre opened in 2005 and the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching opened in 2009.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tourism Malaysia Makes Strong Pitch In Frankfurt For MM2H Programme
Tourism Malaysia, which is making a big push for its Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme to Europeans, made a strong pitch at a seminar in Frankfurt Monday night for the MM2H programme before a large German audience that included not only retired pensioners but also business entrepreneurs, government officials, professionals and others under 50, some of whom had come from as far as Switzerland.
Tourism Malaysia's Frankfurt-based director Syed Yahya Syed Othman explained the merits of the MM2H programme and its special appeal for Germans. He said this was the first seminar of its kind to be held in Germany. Syed Yahya played up Malaysia as an attractive destination, pointing out that it had been voted as the best long-stay destination in the top 20 list of retirement destinations by International Living.com magazine.
The reasons for this distinction include its value-for-money factor, location in Asia, tropical climate, well-developed infrastructure, wide use of English, educational and healthcare facilities, security, and variety of housing options available.
"Germany is the second largest source of participants, after the United Kingdom, in the MM2H programme," Syed Yahya said in an interview with Bernama as he highlighted the significance of Germany for the MM2H programme.
According to data from Tourism Malaysia, the total number of participants from around the globe in the MM2H programme is currently 14,358. The UK, with 1,750 participants, was the leading source of participants in the programme, followed by second-ranking Germany (192 participants), the Netherlands (182), France (108), Switzerland ((77) and Belgium (31).
Syed Yahya was supported by a group that had arrived from the Kuala Lumpur headquarters to answer MM2H-related questions. Dayang Balkis Ramli, the assistant director from the MM2H Centre at the Tourism Malaysia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, was accompanied by two licensed agents, Hosanna MM2H Sdn Bhd of Petaling Jaya, and Optimal Home International of Kuala Lumpur, that offer specialised services to participants in the MM2H programme. "By licensing such agents whose performance is reviewed each year, the Malaysian Government becomes actively involved and thus ensures that the MM2H participants get the right services for which they pay," Dayang Balkis told Bernama.
However, some of the Germans seemed unsure of whether the MM2H provided them with adequate safeguards in their old age when participants want a hassle-free retirement devoid of any red-tape entanglement. The 10-year validity of the social pass that each MM2H participant would be getting seemed to dampen the spirits of some Germans who preferred, instead, to have a permanent resident status, as granted by some countries.
"The MM2H assumes that the 10-year life of the pass would satisfy the participants, many of whom find it restrictive. I have visited Malaysia and am impressed by its scenic beauty and level of development. I believe that Malaysia would benefit even more if it issued, instead, a permanent resident status to MM2H participants. After all, the Malaysian Government is, basically, interested in attracting capital from Germany and other countries, even though this will be deposited in Malaysian banks," an elderly German participant told Bernama.
The permanent resident status would, also, attract business people and others with professional skills who would help Malaysia's future development and catapult it to become Southeast Asia's leading economic power.
Keeping this in mind, Tourism Malaysia in Frankfurt sought the assistance of the Frankfurt-based German-Asian Business Circle, whose president Bodo Krueger was also present at the seminar, and the Japanese-German Business Group. Both these organisations had urged their members to participate in the seminar which was well-attended. According to Syed Yahya, there are some 300 German companies present in Malaysia, of which 70 operate plants.
Dayang Balkis said she discerned some "serious enquiries" from the participants in Frankfurt. "Many of the people said they would like to go to Malaysia and see for themselves the facilities available there. Indeed, I have been asked by some of the participants to organise a similar seminar in their company premises for those who are about to retire," she claimed.
The delegation, along with some staff members of Tourism Malaysia in Frankfurt, departed Tuesday for Stuttgart where they are organising a similar seminar.
Tourism Malaysia's Frankfurt-based director Syed Yahya Syed Othman explained the merits of the MM2H programme and its special appeal for Germans. He said this was the first seminar of its kind to be held in Germany. Syed Yahya played up Malaysia as an attractive destination, pointing out that it had been voted as the best long-stay destination in the top 20 list of retirement destinations by International Living.com magazine.
The reasons for this distinction include its value-for-money factor, location in Asia, tropical climate, well-developed infrastructure, wide use of English, educational and healthcare facilities, security, and variety of housing options available.
"Germany is the second largest source of participants, after the United Kingdom, in the MM2H programme," Syed Yahya said in an interview with Bernama as he highlighted the significance of Germany for the MM2H programme.
According to data from Tourism Malaysia, the total number of participants from around the globe in the MM2H programme is currently 14,358. The UK, with 1,750 participants, was the leading source of participants in the programme, followed by second-ranking Germany (192 participants), the Netherlands (182), France (108), Switzerland ((77) and Belgium (31).
Syed Yahya was supported by a group that had arrived from the Kuala Lumpur headquarters to answer MM2H-related questions. Dayang Balkis Ramli, the assistant director from the MM2H Centre at the Tourism Malaysia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, was accompanied by two licensed agents, Hosanna MM2H Sdn Bhd of Petaling Jaya, and Optimal Home International of Kuala Lumpur, that offer specialised services to participants in the MM2H programme. "By licensing such agents whose performance is reviewed each year, the Malaysian Government becomes actively involved and thus ensures that the MM2H participants get the right services for which they pay," Dayang Balkis told Bernama.
However, some of the Germans seemed unsure of whether the MM2H provided them with adequate safeguards in their old age when participants want a hassle-free retirement devoid of any red-tape entanglement. The 10-year validity of the social pass that each MM2H participant would be getting seemed to dampen the spirits of some Germans who preferred, instead, to have a permanent resident status, as granted by some countries.
"The MM2H assumes that the 10-year life of the pass would satisfy the participants, many of whom find it restrictive. I have visited Malaysia and am impressed by its scenic beauty and level of development. I believe that Malaysia would benefit even more if it issued, instead, a permanent resident status to MM2H participants. After all, the Malaysian Government is, basically, interested in attracting capital from Germany and other countries, even though this will be deposited in Malaysian banks," an elderly German participant told Bernama.
The permanent resident status would, also, attract business people and others with professional skills who would help Malaysia's future development and catapult it to become Southeast Asia's leading economic power.
Keeping this in mind, Tourism Malaysia in Frankfurt sought the assistance of the Frankfurt-based German-Asian Business Circle, whose president Bodo Krueger was also present at the seminar, and the Japanese-German Business Group. Both these organisations had urged their members to participate in the seminar which was well-attended. According to Syed Yahya, there are some 300 German companies present in Malaysia, of which 70 operate plants.
Dayang Balkis said she discerned some "serious enquiries" from the participants in Frankfurt. "Many of the people said they would like to go to Malaysia and see for themselves the facilities available there. Indeed, I have been asked by some of the participants to organise a similar seminar in their company premises for those who are about to retire," she claimed.
The delegation, along with some staff members of Tourism Malaysia in Frankfurt, departed Tuesday for Stuttgart where they are organising a similar seminar.
AirAsia X optimistic over Tokyo route in December
Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X will fly to Japan in December, with three non-stop flights a week from KL International Airport to Haneda in Tokyo.
Chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani said considering its status as the world’s largest metropolitan city, Tokyo was an important feeder market for the airline to move into the growing international network.
“The three weekly flights will strengthen our historic business and tourism links with Japan’s commercial centre,” he said.
Azran said he estimated that more than 60% of the passengers between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo would be first-time visitors, adding that new market segments could be created from the tourism growth.
To mark its new destination, Air Asia X is offering promotional fares for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo from as low as RM99. The tickets will be available from Sept 23 to Sept 26 for travel period Dec 9 to Jul 31, 2011.
The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are only available online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.
Passengers will travel in a brand new A330 aircraft with standard business class “Premium Flat Bed” seats that feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities, such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen.
AirASia X currently flies to destinations in Australia, India, Taiwan, China, Europe and Korea.
Tourism industry to raise GNI to RM104bil by 2020
The tourism industry aims to raise its contribution to the Gross National Income (GNI) to RM104bil by 2020 through 12 entry point projects (EPPs) and new business opportunities.
This would require the sector to raise its annual contribution by RM67bil, tripling its GNI from RM37bil in 2009.
At the Economic Transformation Programme Open Day, the National Key Economic Area laboratory on tourism disclosed the 12 EPPs which are expected to deliver RM28.4bil and three business opportunities that would deliver RM28.6bil in incremental GNI.
Declaring Malaysia as a global biodiversity hub and positioning the country as a duty-free shopping destination for tourist goods are among the EPPs expected to deliver significant results in the industry within a 10-year time frame.
The other EPPs are developing the world’s first eco-nature integrated resort in Sabah, designating KLCC-Bukit Bintang as a vibrant shopping precinct and establishing three new premium outlets in Malaysia.
There are also plans to create a Straits Riviera, targeting more international events, establishing dedicated entertainment zones, developing local expertise and better regulating the spa industry, establishing Malaysia as a leading business tourism destination, improving rates, mix and quality of hotels and enhancing connectivity to priority medium-haul markets.
A total of RM204bil in funding would be required over the next 10 years to achieve these aspirations. Of this funding, only 2% is expected to come from the public sector.
Malaysia’s growth in tourism has mostly relied on growth in arrivals rather than yield: 75% of growth has been from increased arrivals and 25% from increased yield.
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