Friday 19 October 2012

Tourism Ministry must be more creative

Source : The Star Online
Classified : Opinion

BUDGET 2013 contains goodies to benefit all Malaysians, young and old. Even the tourism sector will benefit as the Prime Minister announced that tour operators handling at least 750 foreign tourists or 1,500 local tourists annually would enjoy a three-year income-tax exemption.

However, I am a bit confused by the statement from the Tourism Ministry about bringing international and world-class attractions into the country. We have our own tourism venues, and we should continue to promote these locations to lure local and foreign tourists.

Why should we bring in international attractions which will last for only a few days or weeks, before they pack up and return home?

Besides, if we want to attract foreign tourists by selling international acts (like acrobatics from China), the foreign tourists may as well visit China where they will be able to see more of these attractions.

We should be proud of our local attractions, and we should continue to promote our unique and cultural attributes.

The Tourism Ministry should in fact work together with our local tourist attractions by engaging local professionals with vast knowledge on how to improve our presentation to foreign tourists.

Our Tourism Ministry should be more creative. It’s time to look at long-term plans for the tourism industry.

CHAN POH AIK

Petaling Jaya



My Feedback on above Opinion

For me, Malaysia has whole package of tourism. About bringing international and world-class attractions into the country is not a bad idea. Tourism is not all about foreign tourist coming to Malaysia, but also include local tourist.

Sure we can find acrobatic things in China! And Tomyam in Thailand, Curry in India, Sushi in Japan!
The Unique of Malaysia is we can have bits of everything in here.

Basicly, International attraction surely benefit local tourist & business.


Thursday 18 October 2012

Tourism M'sia reaches out to schools, varsities

FRANFURT: Tourism Malaysia Frankfurt in efforts to promote Malaysia here, is reaching out to schools, universities and other institutions of learning.

Its director Syed Yahya Syed Othman said besides concentrating on the usual audience of travel agents, tour operators and the like, it is also reaching out to school-going children, who also exercised influence over their parents in the choice of tourist destinations.
"We are reaching out to school-children because these are young and enquiring minds. They will remember their school visit to Tourism Malaysia's Frankfurt office and also want to know more about Malaysia as they grow up. In effect, we are creating a new constituency of potential visitors to Malaysia for the future," he told Bernama here Tuesday.
Earlier, he received an unusual visit of a group of 21 students from the Frankfurt International School, aged between eight and 10, accompanied by four teachers, to find out more about Malaysia and its various tourist attractions.
"Many of them wanted to know if Malaysia had dolphins. They were apparently interested in Malaysia's wild life and nature. Orang utans seemed to be quite popular with them.

"One little girl wanted to know if we had elephants, tigers, etc. Another boy was, surprisingly, well aware of the Petronas twin towers and wanted to know more about Kuala Lumpur," he added.
Syed Yahya said the Tourism Malaysia Frankfurt office would also be organising a visit by a group of tourism students from the Cologne Business School to Malaysia in January, next year.
They will be visiting Malaysia for 10 to 12 days and while in Malaysia will be visiting the Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Taylor College University in Kuala Lumpur, and will be visiting Langkawi and staying at a home-stay programme to get a feel of Malaysian life, he said.
He said that tourism traffic from Germany to Malaysia had posted a 7.2 percent growth in the first six months of 2012 compared with the same period last year.
Some 64,705 Germans visited Malaysia in the January-June period this year. -- BERNAMA


----------------------------

Pada saya program begini memang jadi tarikan pelancong terutamanya pelajar sekolah. Memang sekolah-sekolah di Europe selalu buat lawatan belajar ke negara orang tetapi biasanya diantara negara Europe jugalah. Contohnya kelab Bahasa Spanish akan buat lawatan ke Spain, Kelab bahasa French tentulah menjadikan Perancis destinasi mereka.

Dulu saya kerja sambilan di sekolah ini dan itulah 'typical' aktiviti. Antara sebab lainnya ialah penerbangan tambang murah yang banyak ditawarkan oleh Syarikat penerbangan Easyjet, Ryanair dan lain-lain.

Jadi, kalau lawatan ke Malaysia itu tentulah susah sikit nak dirancang kerana jarah perjalanan yang lama dan kos yang mahal. Tapi kalau bayar ikut Euro / Pounds rasanya tiada masalah..

Friday 12 October 2012

Make Malaysia a cycling destination

I ECHO the call in “Shabery: Cycling gaining popularity” (The Star, Oct 10). I wish to see this as a way of life and the making of Malaysia a cycling destination.

For this to be realised, the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Ministry must work together to popularise cycling as a lifestyle.

Cycling, as a mode of transport has long been popular in small towns across the country, and as a sport, we have had tremendous world-class success.

Now, as a healthy pursuit and a new tourism product, it has shown some promising signs ahead, despite the lack of infrastructure like biking lanes and proper parking facilities.

Ever since biking was promoted as a tourism product by the Tourism Ministry, there’s been the sprouting of bicycle shops or boutique selling cycling outfits all over the country.

The craze seems to be catching on with youths and even the elderly, in their quest for thrills and adventure or a healthy lifestyle.

It has often been said that Malaysians do not exercise regularly to keep fit and healthy. This plus the alarming reports of obesity are best tackled by popularising this healthy outdoor activity.

On the sports front, the achievement of national track cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang at the recent London Olympics, proved that we’re on the right track for the Rio Olympics.

The same can be said of biking tourism where if promoted properly will generate more revenue for the tourism sector.

Tourism packages involving cycling will tend to create an “experiential” form of tourism, where visitors can get close to the local people and places of attractions at their own leisure and pace.

ZARI MALAYSIANA

Petaling Jaya

Source : The Star Online 12 October 2012

Bla bla bla : now cycling has become popular activities. I've seen growing numbers of cyclist night and day cycling around KL/Putrajaya.

Thursday 11 October 2012

Sarah Brightman, space tourist, hopes to sing on space station

Sarah Brightman, best known for her renditions of Andrew Lloyd Weber classics and a duet with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, has booked her ticket into space.
The 52-year-old British performer has purchased a ticket to fly to the International Space Station next year, BBC reported.

“This voyage is a product of a dream, my dream. Finally, it can be a reality. I am more excited about this than anything I have done in my life to date,” she said today in Moscow, according to BBC.
Brightman must prepare for six months next year at Star City cosmonaut training center in Russia.
She will become the seventh celebrity to embark on the voyage, according to BBC.
Brightman, who booked her trip through Vienna-based Space Adventures, and two others will fly aboard the Soyuz capsule.

The timing of the voyage has yet to be determined, but her training will begin after a 2013 tour to promote her album “Dreamchaser,” The Associated Press said.
Brightman is also a UNESCO ambassador, and she hinted she might perform in space to draw awareness to the cause, the AP said.

Brightman had to pass a physical and psychological exam in order to enter the training program.
One of her early hits was “I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper,” in 1978.
She also starred in Weber’s productions of “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” in London.
Weber and Brightman married in 1984, but divorced 6 years later.
The last famous space tourist was Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who paid $35 million for his ticket.

http://youtu.be/7lnrN_VbP2Y


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7lnrN_VbP2Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Source : www.globalpost.com

Saya suka lagu Andrea Brocelli yang berduet dengan Sarah Brightman berjudul "Time to say Goodbye"

Famed British singer Sarah Brightman smiles during her press conference in Moscow on October 10, 2012. Brightman announced today in Moscow that she will blast off next year as a space tourist to the International Space Station (ANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP/Getty Images 

Wednesday 10 October 2012

'Hadrah' Will Be Annual Festival In Perlis

KANGAR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- 'Hadrah', the century-old northern peninsular art performance, would be celebrated as an annual festival in Perlis, said state national culture and art director Rahmat Md Noh.

He Said the move to make it annual affair was to spur the tradisional local entertainment.

Rahmat was speaking at the 2012 Perlis Hadrah Festival here last night, which saw six groups totalling 72 'Hadrah' performers, participating in the event.

Hadrah is a type of drum ensemble used primarily as accompaniment to Islamic religious singing.

It comprises fame drums, gong and between eight and 10 'rebana' (traditional drum), among others.

Other than the Malay language, some of the songs are in the archaic language of 'Noge' entitled 'om pa sa ya re' and 'ayu hei kam pare'.

--BERNAMA


"Hadrah adalah kesenian menggunakan kompang tetapi saiz gendangnya lebih besar dan masih mengekalkan lirik nyanyian bahasa purba yang disebut bahasa “noge” di samping lagu-lagu moden ciptaan para penggiatnya dan lagu-lagu berbentuk nasihat dan patriotik.

Hadrah pernah dimainkan di istana, majlis kenduri dan acara-acara tertentu dan ia sering diisi dengan tarian oleh kaum wanita, manakala penari lelaki yang dikenali “asuk” akan memakai topeng dengan membawa aksi lucu dalam tarian mereka. – BERNAMA"

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Foreign trips raised tourism revenue by RM635mil, says Ng Yen Yen

KUALA LUMPUR: The foreign trips and promotions by the Tourism Minister last year generated an increase of RM635.3mil in foreign exchange revenues compared to 2010, Parliament was told.

The increase could be derived from the promotions of prestige tourism and high spending tourists to Malaysia.

In 2011, foreign tourists spending in the shopping sector alone made up 30% of the total revenue for the industry, which is RM17.5bil compared to 28.7% or RM16.2bil in the previous year, the minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen told Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) during Question Time.

Kok had asked the ministry to list the minister's foreign trips and tourism promotion from 2010.

Dr Ng said that the official promotional visits to various countries had also increased tourist arrivals, boost revenue as well as opening new markets.

In 2011, we went for several promotional visits, including to Iran, Indonesia, China, Russia, Philippines, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates in conjunction with the Arab Travel Mart, Dr Ng said.

For instance, tourists from China increased by 10.6% from 1,130,261 visitors in 2010 to 1,250,536 in 2011, generating 12.6% increase in revenue from RM3.1bil to RM3.5bil.

This year, from January to August, we visited Singapore, Philippines, and Germany in conjunction with the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB), she said.

Source : The Star Online. by Rahimi Rahim, 2 Oct 2012

Malaysia Gets Tourism Boost From Reality TV

The year American television viewers have seen several popular American reality TV shows feature storylines dealing with Malaysia.


First, a popular series called American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior, devoted several episodes to the building of the 1Malaysia Chopper, a custom motorcycle, commissioned by Tourism Malaysia's New York Office.



The custom motorcycle was created to highlight the nation's strong cultural harmony and when it was debuted in Malaysia last March the show's star, Paul Teutul Sr. (known as Senior) came along for the big reveal.

While he was here, Teutul spoke highly of the country and praised Malaysia's "cultural diversity and its very friendly people".

According to Salahuddin Mohd. Ariffin, Vice President of Tourism Malaysia in New York, the exposure received from being on the programme really helped boost tourism here.

He says during the first half of the year, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce, 119,528 U.S. travellers visited Malaysia which was a 18.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Tourism Malaysia is confident its target of 235,000 U.S. visitors set by the Kuala Lumpur headquarters will be met.

We have been, so far, happy with the trend," Salahuddin added.


Another personality Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef and host for the television series called 'No Reservations' on the Travel Channel also helped promote Malaysia as a food destination and that programme also contributed to the boost in U.S. visitors.

Sumber : The Choice

I'm really into TV travel programme. Astro Channel TLC 707. Alway watch it during spare time but skip usually on Food programme like man vs food, take home chef, kitchen boss etc.

Piers Morgan's programme "Piers Morgan On..." is one of my favaurite series because he met a few rich people!

Penang tops list for medical tourism

GEORGE TOWN: Penang accounted for 60% of 555,000 foreign medical tourists to Malaysia last year for healthcare services.

Northern Corridor Implementation Autho-rity (NCIA) chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak said seven private hospitals from the Penang Health Association (PHA) recorded a revenue of RM280bil in the past year.

“A total of 333,000 people sought medical treatment from hospitals such as Pantai Mutiara Hospital, Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, Loh Guan Lye Spe-cialist Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, Penang Adventist Hospital and Island Hospital.

“Among those who came to Penang for medical tourism were from southern Thailand and Australia,” he told a press conference in conjunction with the International Conference for Cancer Caregivers yesterday.

He added that NCIA was collaborating with the association to penetrate into other countries such as Cambodia, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“We are stepping up efforts to promote medical tourism among foreign tourists through several measures including flight incentives which would be announced later,” he said.

Penang Adventist Hospital marketing and business development manager Ng Gim Bee said the state expected an annual growth of 15% on foreign medical tourists to Penang.

“Foreigners come to Penang mostly for open heart surgeries and procedures, and dental care,” she said.

Source : The Star Online

Monday 8 October 2012

Tourism as alternative to economic resource for Terengganu

KUALA TERENGGANU (Oct 7, 2012): The tourism industry can serve as the alternative core economic resource for Terengganu, in replacing the depleting petroleum source, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

He said, Terengganu was rich with its interesting natural beauty such as islands, lakes, waterfalls and the state cultural heritage which appeal to tourists.

"We must transform these areas straightaway as tourist destinations. Transforming the Kenyir lake development as tax-free lake zone will be completed by 2014, to boost tourists arrival in the state," he added.

Ahmad said this at the launch of the Decoration Citra boats, in conjunction with the 50th birthday celebration of the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin here last night.
He said the 2013 Visit Terengganu Year marked the importance of tourism as one of the many forms of revenue generated by the state.

He said, other than tourism, several industries would be incorporated to generate income, including iron-ore mining, biotechnology projects and aquaculture. – Bernama



Note :

1. Wow! Kenyir lake will be transform to tax-free lake zone by 2014.

2. Biotechnology project would also help in Terengganu's economic resource as RM2 billion integrated biomethionine & thiochemicals plant in the Kertih Biopolymer Park in Kerteh, Terengganu.

Perancang Bandar, Pengurus Pelancong Berperanan Penting Dalam Pembangunan Pelancongan

Kuala Lumpur, 1 Okt (Bernama) -- Perancang bandar dan pengurus pelancongan memain peranan penting memastikan pembangunan pelancongan yang lestari disokong oleh dasar-dasar perbandaran keseluruhan selain memenuhi keperluan penduduk bandar raya dan pengunjungnya.

Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib berkata semua peringkat rancangan pembangunan pelancongan adalah mustahak bagi memperoleh pembangunan dan pengurusan pelancongan lestari.

"Pengalaman dari banyak kawasan pelancongan di dunia menunjukkan bahawa dalam jangka panjang, pendekatan terancang untuk memajukan pelancongan boleh membawa manfaat tanpa menimbulkan masalah selain mengekalkan kepuasan pasaran pelancongan," kata beliau semasa merasmikan Persidangan Bandar Raya Pelancongan Global (GTCC) 2012 di sini, Isnin.

Datuk Ahmad Phesal.  Gambar sumber dari NST
Ucapannya dibacakan oleh Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Perancangan) DBKL, Datuk Zulkifli Ibrahim.

Ahmad Phesal berkata tempat-tempat yang membolehkan pelancongan berkembang tanpa menerusi perancangan sering dibelenggu masalah alam sekitar dan sosial.

--BERNAMA

Nota :

Datuk Ahmad Phesal berusia 58 tahun dilantik sebagai Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur berkuatkuasa 18 Julai 2012 untuk 2 tahun menggantikan Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail.

Saturday 29 September 2012

BUDGET : Visit Malaysia Year 2013/14 Targeted To Draw 26.8 Million Tourists

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- For Visit Malaysia Year 2013/14, the government has allocated RM358 million under the development expenditure, an increase of 42 per cent, to target 26.8 million tourist arrivals.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said tourism was a key economic growth sector, contributing almost 12 per cent GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Tabling the 2013 Budget today, he said that total revenue generated from the tourism sector was estimated to increase to RM62 billion in 2012.

As a tax incentive, tour operators who bring in at least 500 foreign tourists a year are currently given tax exemption for three years.

For tour operators who bring in at least 500 foreign tourists or handle 1,500 local tourists a year, the government has proposed under the 2013 Budget that the income tax exemption be extended for three years.

The income tax exemption will be in force beginning with the 2013 assessment year until 2015.

--BERNAMA

Friday 28 September 2012

Malaysia's Budget 2013 on Tourism Industry

Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia just announce incentive for tourism company if they able to bring more than 750 foreign tourist or 1500 local tourist.

I need to check again the 'fact' on tomorrow's newspaper. I think its a great opportunity for local company and industry player as a whole.

Budget 2013 is expected to generate more than 26.8 million tourist.

JPA Scholars Fly on Malaysia Airlines’ A380-800

Kuala Lumpur (28 September 2012): Malaysia Airlines was the preferred carrier of the Public Service Department (JPA) which sent 43 scholars to Dublin for higher education. The students boarded Malaysia Airlines’ A380 flight MH002 at KL International Airport (KLIA) on 21st September 2012 at 11.40pm (Malaysian Time) and connected from London to Dublin, Ireland where they will pursue their studies in the medical discipline.
A humble send-off programme for the students was organised by Malaysia Airlines at KLIA, graced by Datuk Farida Bt Mohd Ali, (Deputy Director General Public Service-Development) of the Public Service Department. The students were in a strong spirit of achievement, gratitude and excitement when they took off from our homeland and the spirit of 1Malaysia was clearly visible at the send-off where the students from all backgrounds and ethnicity shared the memorable moment together.
Malaysia Airlines Regional Senior Vice President Malaysia & ASEAN Region, Encik Muzammil Mohamad said, “Malaysia Airlines is indeed very proud to be part of this wonderful journey of these students. They can be assured of a very comfortable journey on Malaysia Airlines experiencing our A380 premium services like world-class meals, beverages, entertainment and on-board facilities. We have been working closely with JPA to help with the scholars travel and we are truly honoured to be the airline of choice for the JPA,” he added.
Datuk Farida Bt Mohd Ali, Deputy Director General Public Service (Development), said, “Malaysia Airlines is surely our first choice for scholar travel arrangements as it has offered very competitive fares for this purpose. JPA looks into best travel arrangements and Malaysia Airlines has always cooperated well with JPA in this endeavour. This assists us in our commitment to facilitate Malaysian students who would like to pursue their dreams abroad and return with a storehouse of knowledge to serve our country better,” he added.
Prior to this departure, JPA also sent a total of 520 sponsored Malaysian students to Paris, Delhi, Jakarta, Bangalore, London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong on Malaysia Airlines in August and September this year.
“Malaysia Airlines takes this opportune moment to wish the JPA scholars all the very best and our only hope is that they will succeed in pursuance of their dreams”, added Muzammil at the event.

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Malaysia Has Great Potential In Medical Tourism

by Wan Shahara Ahmad Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Medical tourism has been identified as having the potential of being a revenue generator for the country due to the response shown by foreigners who seek quality healthcare services.

Foreigners come to Malaysia for medical tourism due to the low costd of healthcare services, complemented by existence of excellent medical technology and infrastructure.

The outcome of a survey conducted by a foreign-based body reveals that heart procedures conducted in Malaysia are 10 times cheaper than those conducted in the United States.

Indonesian tourists comprise the highest number of those seeking healthcare services followed by visitors from Arab nations.

Efforts by Melaka to boost the number of Indonesian tourists seeking healthcare services in the state appear to be bearing fruit as more Indonesians are switching their attention from Singapore to Melaka for such services.

Statistics show that in 2010, some 60 per cent of 280,000 tourists to Malaysia went to Melaka for medical treatment while Kuala Lumpur is the destination of choice for Arab tourists.

CHOICE DESTINATION

According to KPJ Healthcare (KPJ) managing director Datin Paduka Siti Sa'adiah Sheikh Bakir, Arab visitors made up eight per cent of tourists who sought healthcare services at the group's hospitals.

KPJ is Malaysia's largest group of private hospitals.

"Many foreigners choose Malaysia for elective medical procedures particularly cancer, orthopaedic and cosmetic treatment," she said after launching the Arab Community Day at KPJ Tawakal Hospital here recently.

As the Arabs prefer Malaysia as their destination for shopping, Siti Sa'adiah said that it is time for Malaysia to promote the medical tourism sector aggresively.

"KPJ has been actively promoting its services to the Arab community for more than 10 years now, " she said.

KPJ collaborated with Aswaq, a leading Aranb publication entity to stage the event. Among the guests were the first Secretary, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Moharib Ibrahim Al Moharib and Arab Economic Caucus Adviser, Dr Mahmoud Al-Musafer.

She said that KPJ hospitals in Klang Valley will continue to provide the best services for the Arab community, adding that the group had managed a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for several years.

BEST TECHNOLOGY

Siti Sa'adiah said that since KPJ was established 30 years ago, its hospitals have been providing the best in terms of medical care, facilities and technology, supported by experienced personnel.

KPJ has around 10,000 professional and support medical Personnel in its service.

"We have 860 specialists in various disciplines and we are trying to attract Malaysian specialists abroad to return home to serve."

"This is our effort to provide quality clinical services on par with other hospitals worlwide," she said.

KPJ has 21 hospitals nationwide and two hospitals in Indonesia.

EXPANDING WINGS

KPJ's newest hospital, the Klang Specialist Hospital has 200 beds.

Over the next four years, KPJ plans to fork out RM867 million to develop six new hospitals - Sabah Specialist Hospital, Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital, Pahang KPJ Specialist Hospital, Bandar Dato' Onn Specialist Hospital, Perlis Specialist Hospital and Muar Specialist Hospital.

Aware of the medical tourism potential in Iskandar Malaysia, Siti Sa'adiah says that KPJ has plans to build a hospital equipped with the best facilities and services in the region.

The group also targets to earn RM3.0 billion in turnover within the next five years.

HOSPIS

KPJ will also venture into a field, which is still regarded as new in Malaysia -the care of the elderly or 'hospis'.

It is now the main shareholder of Jeta Garden in Brisbane, Australia, which specialises as retirement resort for the care of the elderly.

KPJ also established the Klinik Waqaf An-Nur Jcorp (KWAN) in 1998. This group has 17 charity clinics and dialysis centres nationwide, apart from the charity healthcare institution, the Waqaf Hospital in Pasir Gudang.

--BERNAMA



AirAsia Perluas Promosi Tempat Duduk Percuma Ke Laluan Antarabangsa

KUALA LUMPUR: Kempen promosi "tempat duduk percuma" oleh AirAsia, yang ditawarkan bagi laluan domestik, diperluaskan ke laluan antarabangsa terpilih syarikat penerbangan tambang rendah itu bermula esok.
AirAsia berkata promosi itu, yang memerlukan penumpang membayar hanya cukai lapangan terbang dan fi yang dikenakan, menawarkan sehingga satu juta tempat duduk untuk direbut.
Tambang terangkum ke penerbangan domestik bagi AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia dan AirAsia Philippines adalah daripada sehingga serendah RM26 sehala.
Kempen promosi itu boleh didapatkan menerusi www.airasia.com, kata syarikat penerbangan itu dalam satu kenyataan hari ini. Tempat duduk percuma ke destinasi antarabangsa boleh ditempah bermula esok sehingga Ahad bagi tempoh perjalanan dari 1 April, 2013 hingga 30 Sept, 2013.

-BERNAMA

Saturday 22 September 2012

Malaysia Sasar 36 Juta Pelancong Menjelang 2020

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia yakin mencapai sasaran jumlah pelancong sebanyak 36 juta orang menjelang tahun 2020, kata Menteri Pelancongan Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Kenyataan oleh Pegawai Khas kepada Menteri Pelancongan, Ritzeraynn Rashid berkata, kementerian itu juga menyasarkan jumlah pelancong sebanyak 25 juta orang pada tahun ini.

Katanya, laporan media semalam yang memetik bahawa kementeriannya yakin mencapai sasaran sebanyak 36 juta pelancong pada akhir tahun ini adalah tidak tepat.

Ng juga dipetik sebagai berkata, keyakinan untuk mencapai sasaran jumlah pelancong itu adalah berdasarkan statistik jumlah pelancong yang semakin meningkat.
Katanya, statistik terbaru setakat semalam mencatatkan sebanyak 24.7 juta pelancong telah mengunjungi negara ini. - BERNAMA 19 Sept 2012

MALAYSIA AIRLINES APPOINTS EXPEDIA, INC. TO OFFER ONLINE FARES

Malaysia’s national carrier fares offered through the world’s leading full-service online distribution channel

20 September 2012: Malaysia Airlines announced today the expansion of its relationship with the Expedia, Inc. group, the world’s largest online travel company, to offer travellers in Malaysia affordable airfares all year round at any time of the day, effective 20 September 2012.
This partnership provides Malaysian consumers with a simple and easy to use online travel booking channel for them to view, select, transact and finalise their air travel needs from the comfort of their homes and work places.
The arrangement appoints Expedia as one of Malaysia Airlines’ official online ticketing agents and makes Malaysia Airlines’ full schedule of domestic and international routes and fares, including that of its wholly owned subsidiary MASwings, available to consumers booking flights on Expedia’s newly-launched Malaysia website, www.expedia.com.my<http://www.expedia.com.my>.
Commenting on this partnership, Malaysia Airlines Head of Sales and Distribution Duncan Bureau said, “As the hospitality industry firmly leverages on the online options for purchase of related products and services, we at Malaysia Airlines continuously take advantage of this development to expand our online distribution channels for customers to enjoy our best prices throughout the year. We are already working together with Expedia in other markets where we operate, and this is an extension of that partnership for the benefit of our customers in Malaysia. As a 5-star airline with the world’s best cabin crew, we are pleased to partner with the leading online travel company for our customers to get the best deals and enjoy our full service hospitality during their air travels”.
“We are very pleased to build upon Expedia’s relationship with Malaysia Airlines, one of the country’s leading travel brands, to provide consumers with an extensive selection of Malaysia Airlines’ content on the country’s only full-service travel site, Expedia.com.my,” said Greg Schulze, Senior Vice President of Global Tour and Transport, Expedia. “It’s an exciting opportunity and one that will improve the entire travel booking experience for consumers throughout Malaysia.”

Sumber : MAS
-----
Komen saya ;

Air Asia sudah pun mengorak langkah awal dengan menjadikan Expedia sebagai 'Partner'. Bagus juga MAS berbuat demikian. Kemudahan untuk merancang percutian sendiri terbuka luas. dulu mungkin sesuatu yang sukar, namun sekarang semuanya boleh ditempah online.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Senarai Hitam Dilarang Ke Luar Negara

Anda ghairah nak jalan satu dunia?

Mempunyai sumber kewangan yang kukuh?

Sudah mempunyai rancangan ke luar negara dalam masa terdekat?

LUPAKAN saje kalau dah kena Black List..


Yup! kalau dah kena black list, terutama pada yang tak membayar PTPTN, boleh semak Black List di laman web rasmi Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia klik disini.

 

Wow Thistle Port Dickson

Salam & Greetings to All!,

Adoiai, sungguh lama tak menaip di blog memandangkan kerja banyak yang bertalu-talu. 3 minggu lepas saya menyertai retreat anjuran company di Port Dickson.

Bertempat di Thistle, Port Dickson, hotelnya memang sungguh menarik. Biasala.. tengah tak banyak duit ni, mana yang free, join je lah. Kalau kawan2 ada plan ke Port Dickson, saya memang recommend hotel ni. macam2 aktiviti boleh buat. Hotel ni antara yang terlengkap kemudahannya di antara hotel-hotel di Malaysia. kolam renang, golf, spa, movie room, tennis court, SWAT camp just to name a few.

Sebelum berangkat pulang ke kami sempat singgah di satu lokasi menarik berhampiran Tanjung Tuan. Kampung Tanjong Pelandok. Sempadan antara Negeri Sembilan dan Melaka.

 

Rasanya macam lokasi filem apa tah..

 
 
 


Syok kalau dapat luang masa mengail ikan tepi laut. Teringat masa budak-budak dulu, selalu ikut org pegi memancing. Maklumlah rumah pun tak sampai 200m dari pantai.

Monday 17 September 2012

carian Destinasi paling popular di Google 2011

Dibawah ini adalah carian yang paling popular pada tahun 2011. Saya baru sampai satu saja dari 10 tempat yang best ni ;

1. Kowloon / Hong Kong
2. Su Mei Island, Thailand
3. Phuket Island
4. Bangkok
5. Maldives
6. Disneyland Hong Kong
7. Taipei
8. Paris
9. New York
10. Caribbean


Lagi 9 tempat ni bila la boleh pegi...? Syok berangan saja.

Visit Kelantan 2012


Tahun 2012 bakal melabuhkan tirai tak berapa bulan yang lagi.. namun tak sempat la nak tgk aktiviti-aktiviti menarik sepanjang Visit Kelantan 2012.

ada 2 website menarik untuk visit Kelantan 2012 kalau nak cari maklumat lanjut.

1. Come 2 Kelantan
2. Kelantan Tourism Information Center (official website)

Pakat-pakat jale kelate!

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Air Asia X ke Europe & India di Tamatkan!

Berita 2-3 hari yang lalu saya rasa banyak membuatkan kawan-kawan kaki travel kita' frust'. Apa tidak nya, laluan utama tambang murah dari Malaysia ke Eropah (London & Paris) dan India (mumbai & Delhi) akan ditamatkan seperti tarikh berikut ;

1. Mumbai - 31 Januari 2012
2. Delhi - 22 Mac 2012
3. London - 31 Mac 2012
4. Paris - 30 Mac 2012

Penamatan laluan tersebut menurut CEO Air Asia X, Azran Osman-Rani adalah disebabkan harga minyak dan keadaan ekonomi Europe.

Manakala bagi laluan Mumbai & Delhi adalah berkaitan masalah VISA dan juga kenaikan caj airport & handling.

Pastinya keputusan menamatkan laluan ini menghampakan kawan-kawan yang sudah berangan-angan ke destinasi tersebut. Saya sangatlah berharap MAS yang mempunyai peluang baik ke London agar menawarkan harga yang terbaik dan kompetitif! Jadi tak banyak lah orang mengeluh "now not everyone can fly".

CEO nya menafikan keputusan yang diambil disebabkan MAS.

Berita baik nya pula, bagi yang dah simpan ang pau, boleh berangan untuk ke sydney pula. Laluan baru Air Asia X ini akan bermula pada 1 April 2012 dengan tambang sehala bermula dengan harga RM199.


Teringat berita tahun 2009 dulu, seorang wanita yang melahirkan anak dalam penerbangan ke penang-kuching mendapat tiket percuma seumur hidup. Kebetulan sungguh ada doktor dalam penerbangan yang sama!



Thursday 12 January 2012

Anugerah Pelancongan Malaysia

Info yang saya ambil dari akhbar  Utusan 23/12/2011 



Anugerah Pelancongan Malaysia 2010/2011 berlansung di Pusat Konvensyen Kuala Lumpur pada 20hb Disember 2011.

Tahniah kepada semua pemenang!!

 ANUGERAH KHAS MENTERI PELANCONGAN 
-YBhg. Dato' Profesor Jimmy Choo (OBE)  : Website , Wikipedia
 Pereka Kasut Tersohor Antarabangsa
-YBhg. Datuk Redzuawan Ismail (Chef wan)  : Website , Wikipedia
 Chef Selebriti

 PENGUSAHA PELANCONGAN TERBAIK 
-In Bound
 Mayflower Acme Tours Sdn Bhd   : Website
-Domestik
 Pearl Holiday (M) Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd   : Website

 PENGUSAHA PELANCONGAN ANTARABANGSA BERINOVASI 
-Eropah
 Airways Travel GMBH (German)
-Timur Tengah / Afrika
 Thompson Holidays (Afrika Selatan)
-Asia Selatan
 D'Paul's Travel & Tours Ltd. (New Delhi, India)
-ASEAN
 Five Stars Tours PTE. LTD. (Singapura)
-Asia Timur
 Guangdong Nanhu International Travel Services (Guangzhou, PRC)
-Amerika
 GTS Globotours (USA)
-Oceania
 New Horizons Holiday (Perth Timur, Australia)
-Anugerah Juri Khas
 1. Panorama Tours (Indonesia)
 2. Pan Bright Travel Services (Brunei)
 3. Sunny Tours Co. Ltd. (Thailand)

 PENULISAN PELANCONGAN KREATIF MENGENAI MALAYSIA 
-Penulis Tempatan Terbaik (Bahasa Melayu)
 'Agenda Selangor, Intip (Little England)' oleh Norwahidah Che Musa, Majalah Libur, Disember 2010

-Penulis Tempatan Terbaik (Bahasa Inggeris)
 'Hooked On High Adventure' oleh Zalina Mohd. Som, New Straits Times, September 2010

-Penulis Terbaik Media Asing
 'The Jungle Gene' by Cheryl Ann Couto, Lonely Planet Publications.

 MAJALAH PELANCONGAN BERINOVASI 
-Majalah Pelancongan Tempatan
 Majalah : Libur
 Penerbit : Kumpulan Karangkraf Sdn Bhd

-Majalah Pelancongan Antarabangsa
 Majalah : Senses of Malaysia
 Penerbit : The Expat Group (Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd)

 PERKHIDMATAN HOTEL (BAGI SEMUA PENARAFAN BINTANG) 
-5 Bintang (Bandar)
 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur

-5 Bintang (Resort)
 Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Sabah

-4 Bintang (Bandar)
 Holiday Inn Melaka

-4 Bintang (Resort)
 Golden Sands Resort, Pulau Pinang

-3 Bintang & Kebawah
 Cititel Midvalley Kuala Lumpur

 TARIKAN PELANCONGAN BERINOVASI 
(SEMULAJADI/EKO)
-Cemerlang
 Mulu National Park, Sarawak : Website
-Merit
 Kawasan Konservasi Lembah Danum

(BUATAN MANUSIA/AGRO/SENI&BUDAYA)
-Cemerlang
 Melaka River Cruise, Melaka
-Merit
 Lost World of Tambun, Perak

 PROGRAM PELANCONGAN BERINOVASI 
-Cemerlang
 Ulu Ai-Longhouse Life oleh Borneo Adventure Tours
-Merit
 A Nite @ Museum - Muzium Samudra oleh Perbadanan Muzium Melaka & NAZA Talyya Hotel

 PEMANDU PELANCONG TERBAIK 
-Cemerlang
 Encik Shaukani Abbas
-Merit
 Encik Ahmad Redza Abdullah
-Bintang Baru
 Encik Bobby Weslee B. Rohani

 PUSAT MEMBELI-BELAH BERINOVASI 
-Cemerlang
 Sunway Pyramid
-Merit
 Mid Valley Megamall

 MICE TERBAIK 
-Acara
 World Congress of Accountants 2010
-Penganjur
 Malaysia Institute of Accountants

 HOMESTAY BERINOVASI 
Homestay Walai Tokou, Kundasang, Sabah
-Penyumbang Terbaik Kepada Ekonomi Luar Bandat Malaysia
 Homestay Banghuris, Sepang, Selangor.

 SPA BERINOVASI 
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Kelemahan statistik faktor pelancongan kurang daya saing



KUALA LUMPUR 8 Jan. - Kelembapan maklumat mengenai statistik keluar dan masuk pelancong di Malaysia dilihat menjadi antara faktor utama sektor berkenaan kurang berdaya saing. Presiden Persatuan Agensi Pelancongan Malaysia (Matta), Datuk Mohd. Khalid Harun berkata, statistik berkenaan penting untuk dijadikan asas utama dalam merangka perancangan untuk sektor pelancongan.

Menurutnya, jika data semasa yang diperoleh adalah rekod untuk setahun lalu, maka ia sudah tidak relevan kerana situasi semasa dunia dan tempatan berubah dengan pantas. "Kenapa negara lain terutamanya jiran terdekat kita mampu mengeluarkan statistik lengkap dalam tempoh sebulan sahaja? Kenapa kita tidak boleh? "Saya sudah beberapa kali menghadiri persidangan luar negara dan apabila tiba sesi membentangkan statistik tempatan, saya berasa sangat malu kerana datanya sudah 'basi','' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini.

Mohd Khalid berkata, statistik keluar dan masuk pelancong di Malaysia tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana data tersebut sangat dikehendaki oleh perniagaan tempatan dan juga pelabur asing. Katanya, pihak yang sepatutnya membuat dan mengeluarkan statistik berkenaan perlu lebih proaktif dan membuat perubahan dalam operasi mereka agar lebih pantas seperti negara lain.

"Data tersebut sangat penting, darinya kita boleh mengetahui kekuatan dan kelemahan yang ada. Oleh itu, jika data diperolehi dengan tepat maka perancangan akan menjadi lebih berkesan. "Data berkenaan juga boleh menjadi kayu pengukur kepada setiap perancangan dan program yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan dalam sektor pelancong sama ada berjaya atau tidak. Jika lambat didedahkan maka program seterusnya pasti tidak banyak perubahan,'' jelasnya.

Beliau berkata, antara kelemahan jabatan kerajaan yang menyediakan statistik adalah terlalu banyak perkara perlu dirahsiakan dan pelbagai alasan diberikan apabila sesuatu data diminta. "Ada data yang perlu dirahsiakan dan ada yang tidak. Bagi sektor pelancongan kenapa perlu dirahsiakan? Sampai bila perkara seperti ini hendak dibiarkan.
"Tidak boleh didedahkan atau mereka tidak melakukan kerja?" tegasnya sambil berharap kerajaan dapat melakukan transformasi ke atas jabatan yang terlibat.

Tambah beliau, sektor pelancongan melibatkan perniagaan juga dan statistik merupakan tunjang utama kepada baringan pengurusan dalam membuat perancangan baharu demi membangunkan perniagaan.
"Statistik nampak seperti kecil oleh pihak tertentu tetapi ia adalah petunjuk atau rujukan paling berharga kepada pihak yang lain,'' ujarnya.

-Petikan dari Utusan Malaysia 9 Januari 2012

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Malaysia 's Tourism Event for 2012

Selamat Datang Tahun 2012! Welcome Year 2012!

January 2012
Chinese New Year -Dragon Year


  •  Open House Celebration Chinese New Year










February 2012
Thaipusam Celebration











  •  Thaipusam
  • Book Expo 1Malaysia (1-6 February 2012)
March 2012
Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit
  •  1Malaysia GP Sale (10 Mac-15 Apr)
  •  2012 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix (23-25 Mac)








April 2012
  •  Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2012

May 2012
  • Colours of 1Malaysia
  • Tadau Kaamatan
  • Borneo Jazz Festival

June 2012
  • Gawai Dayak Festival
  • Karnival Jualan Mega 1Malaysia (15 June-02 Sept)

July 2012
  • 1Malaysia International Tourism Night Floral Parade 2012
  • KL Fest
  • Rainforest World Music Festival
  •  Ramadhan Bazar (July-Aug)
  • 1Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival (July-Sept)
Ramadhan Bazar










August 2012
  •  Malaysia Independence Day (31st August)









September 2012
  •  Open House Celebration Aidil Fitri / Eid Ul-Fitr
  • Malaysia Day Celebration
  • 1Malaysia Tanglung Festival









October 2012
  • Fabulous Food 1Malaysia (Oct-Dec)
  • PGA Tour -CIMB Asia Pasific Classic
  • Rhythm of Kinabalu "Rhythm of Mountain"
  • Penang Island Jazz Festival 
  • Open House Celebration Deepavali
Deepavali












November 2012
  •  Fabulous Food 1Malaysia - Warisan Makanan Asean
  • Raja Muda Selangor Regatta
  • Year End Sales 1Malaysia (10 Nov-1 Jan)







December 2012
  • Dance Tourism Carnival Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia 

*all the pictures taken from Google