Tourism carnival boost for LIMA 2013.

13th March, 2013

Tourism carnival boost for LIMA 2013.

PUTRAJAYA - In conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA 13) exhibition from March 26 to 30, the Tourism Ministry will be hold a Lima Tourism Carnival. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said among the events are tax-free goods sales, sales of delicacies from all over the state as well as a 2014 Visit Malaysia Year exhibition.

"We will also hold the 1Malaysia Clean Campaign quiz and competition and the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival," she said at a media conference on LIMA, here today.

She said there will also be an exhibition on careers in spa therapy and foot massage to attract more youths to be involved in the field. "To develop further lifestyle tourism, the country needs about 6,000 local residents, to be skilled in the field of spa therapy," she said.

Apart from the Tourism Ministry, Lima will also its own attractions such as aerobatic display, exhibition of Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft at the Mahsuri International Exhibition hall and the Maritime Sector at Awana Porto Malai. Air shows will be held each day from 12.30pm to 2pm on March 26, 27 and 28 and two sessions on March 29 and 30 from 10am to 11.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm at the Langkawi International Airport. – BERNAMA

Copyright@The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad

Langkawi's charter incentive drives arrivals.

11th March, 2013

Langkawi's charter incentive drives arrivals.

MALAYSIA'S Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is keen to attract more charters to the island, having launched the Langkawi Charter Flight Incentive Programme (LCFIP) early last year.

Through LFCIP, which runs until December 31, 2015, LADA will provide financial support to charterers for their flight promotions to Langkawi, as well as assistance in joint marketing.

Malaysia Airports Holdings, which manages Langkawi International Airport, also provides free landing and parking to charterers participating in the programme.

At press time, LADA had secured 32 charter flights for this winter season, an increase from 27 last winter, with confirmed carriers such as Finnair, Novair, SCAT Air, Eva Air and Korean Air, said Rosnina Yaacob, LADA’s tourism division manager.

She added that LADA had also intensified its marketing efforts in Europe. “Europeans comprised 30 per cent of the total three million tourist arrivals and day trippers to Langkawi in 2012. This year, our target is to grow European arrivals to 35 per cent and total arrivals, including day trippers, to 5.9 million.”

Ting Zhang, sales and administration manager for In Depth Tourism Marketing UK, the sales office for The Danna Langkawi resort, lauded the LCFIP for providing more opportunities to woo longhaul travellers, particularly the high-yield Scandinavian market.

Nasha Abdullah, managing director, Malai Adventure Malaysia, agreed: “Word of mouth marketing is very important for the Scandinavian traveller. They are also creatures of habit, with the tendency to return to the places they have gone before provided they had positive, memorable experiences.”

By: S Puvaneswary, ITB Berlin

Copyright@TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd 2013

Tourism Malaysia to woo more wedding tourists from India.

Date: 7 March 2013

Tourism Malaysia to woo more wedding tourists from India.

TOURISM Malaysia, which is eyeing 780,000 tourists from India in 2013, is all geared up to woo more wedding tourism from the country, its Director, Amran Abdul Rahman said. Last year, a total of 691,271 Indians visited Malaysia

"Indians spend lavishly on weddings, especially in the northern region. It is a great market indeed," he said, adding, spending between RM3 million to RM4 million for weddings is very common.

Tourism Malaysia, he said has identified places such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Lucknow, as the major markets for wedding related tourism. There have been a few weddings held to date in Malaysia and the favourite destination of wedding couples was Langkawi, Pangkor, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

"We started this tourism strategy just four to five years ago and really want to go big on it. The market is so huge that the package could also include chartering a whole aircraft," he told Bernama. "Malaysia also offers exotic destinations like Sabah and Sarawak for Indians who are seeking locations closer to nature," said Amran.

On why there have been only a few weddings, despite the huge potential, he said, the segment is still at a very early stage of development. “One reason why we receive less weddings in Malaysia compared to Thailand, is that the product owners, namely hoteliers are not ready to host such big weddings. Of course, they are used to having Malaysian weddings. But the requirements for Indian weddings are different, especially in terms of food, which a majority of the hoteliers can't cater for," he added.

However, a number of hotels now understand the market and are well prepared to host, "Big Fat Indian Weddings."

On the part of Tourism Malaysia, he said, India’s leading wedding planners have been taken on hosted tours to Malaysia, to discover the best on offer. "We have also tied-up with wedding related magazines to showcase our products as well as participate in wedding fairs," he said. The aim, he added, is to attract more quality weddings and not just quantity.

Besides weddings, he said Tourism Malaysia also aims to promote high-end tourism like spas, eco tourism, golf, exotic destinations as well as event related tourism such as the Formula One, Moto GP, and International Shoe Festivals.

Amran said there is also a huge demand for "single women" outbound travellers, which Tourism Malaysia would tap on, by coming up with customised travel packages. "Besides spa, entertainment and shopping, we are also promoting diving activities for them in places like Tioman and Redang.

"Indian holidaymakers will continue to spend this year despite the global economic strain. Hence, we will be promoting various attractive destinations in Malaysia through various media and other activities, including campaigns on television, newspapers, magazines and the social media," he added.

Amran said Tourism Malaysia also does joint promotions with local tour operators, airlines, other tourism boards and select brands, to entice the tourism traffic from India. – Bernama

Copyright @ BERNAMA

Twin Towers top TripAdvisor list.

Date: 15 February 2013

Twin Towers top TripAdvisor list.

TRIPADVISOR, the world's largest travel site, yesterday revealed the highly rated attractions in Malaysia that travellers around the world were talking about the most last year. In a statement, TripAdvisor said the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur topped the list.

"These towers are really stunning, especially at night when they are lit up. They are so big that it was hard to get them both in a single picture," said a TripAdvisor traveller.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), which came in at number two, has, as one TripAdvisor traveller said, anything and everything you need, from coffee places to shops, restaurants and bars.

At number three is the Langkawi Cable Car, Kedah. "You can feast your eyes on the breathtaking greenery along the way and we had a beautiful view of the sunset, too," said a traveller.

TripAdvisor said the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, at number four, was described by a traveller as an add-on after visiting the National Orchid Garden. "We spent three hours there watching the various birds soar through the huge canopy area. I would recommend this to anyone even marginally interested in birds," the traveller added.

TripAdvisor said the top 10 picks in Malaysia's most talked about attractions last year, from premier shopping malls to historical museums and tropical conservation parks, were ranked according to the number of reviews received on TripAdvisor.com based on global Internet protocol addresses between Jan 1 and Dec 31, last year.

TripAdvisor, which started in March 2011 in Malaysia, is the world's largest travel website and operates in 30 countries worldwide, including China. It features 1,443 hotels, 1,235 bed and breakfast inns, 143 vacation rentals, 3,024 restaurants and 941 things-to-do, including a collaboration with Malaysia's leading organisations like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Maxis and Tourism Malaysia. - Bernama

Copyright @ 2011 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad

Asia's tourism players demand better ecotourism practices.

Date: 25 January 2013

Asia's tourism players demand better ecotourism practices.

WHILE balancing economic development and environmental sustainability continues to be a challenge, tourism players should chart the way forward for ecotourism in South-east Asia, a salient theme that was raised during the ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) at ATF 2013.

“We have to take care of the goose that lays the golden eggs,” said Victor Wee, chairman, Tourism Malaysia, on sustainability and ecotourism. “Ecotourism is a two-way street – it requires the responsible, conscious and committed participation of all parties.”

Tour operators should take a proactive stance, urged Umberto Cadamuro, director of business and operations, Pacto Indonesia. “The key is to keep sustainability in mind when developing products. We would recommend incentive groups to have their CSR activities in South-east Asia. It is the responsibility of DMCs to suggest this to their clients.”

Jimmy Sim, business development manager, Dorison Travel Singapore, agreed: “Sustainable tourism enjoys a higher profile in the Western world but is still something very new in this region. Hotels are the most polluting link in the tourism field. There are a lot of opportunities but it’s very frustrating as many hotel owners are just looking at dollars and cents,” said Anthony Wong, group managing director of Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel Malaysia and Frangipani Hotels & Resorts. “General managers are often appointed for two years or so, therefore it’s up to owners to set the vision and goals for their properties.”

Since adopting green practices such as rainwater harvesting, composting and setting up a wetland at Frangipani Langkawi, the resort’s operating costs have declined by 20 per cent, Wong revealed.

Community-based tourism can be tapped to improve the well-being of the local community while raking in tourist dollars, keynote speakers pointed out. For example, PATA Foundation has partnered Canada’s Capilano University to launch homestay programmes in Vietnam’s Sapa, according to chairman – board of trustees, Mario Hardy.

Better policies and regulations should be drawn up, as ecotourism products are generally under-priced in the region, leading to high visitations and environmental degradation, Wee added.

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, ASEAN Tourism Forum, Vientiane

Copyright @ TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd 2013

Mahathir promotes Satun-Langkawi links.

Date: 6 January 2013

Mahathir promotes Satun-Langkawi links.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed yesterday to push for various joint development projects along the Thai-Malay border. Projects to improve tourist immigration procedures between the two countries would be at the top of the list, Mr Mahathir said during a visit to Satun province yesterday.

The proposals would benefit tourism in Satun and Malaysia's neighbouring Langkawi in particular, he said.

The former Malaysian PM described Satun and the Malaysian archipelago as "sister cities", saying a large number of tourists and businesspeople travelled between them. Malaysia's continuing development of Langkawi International Airport would help boost tourism in Satun, he said.

Mr Mahathir's visit to Thailand was aimed at strengthening relations between Satun and Malaysia's Perlis state. Each year, large numbers of Malaysian tourists travel to Satun, mostly on their way to Koh Tarutao and Koh Lipe, he said.

Thai businessmen in Satun would also be encouraged to invest in Langkawi, which is renowned for its tax free shopping, he said.

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Langkawi casts wider net.

Date: 3 January 2013

Langkawi casts wider net.

THE Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) will strengthen its marketing efforts in new markets this year, which include China, India, South Korea, the Middle East and Australia. The tourism body aims to do this through digital channels, travel tradeshows and fam trips for travel consultants, while sustaining efforts in its traditional UK and European markets. 

Khalid Ramli, CEO of LADA, said: “This year we will also intensify our efforts to get more charter flights from Finland, Russia and Kazakhstan. We hope to attract at least 51 charter flights in 2013.” Between January 2012 and end-March 2013, Langkawi will see 36 charter services to Langkawi from South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Kazakhstan and Vladivostok. 

Khalid also revealed that Langkawi had recently picked up the slogan Naturally Langkawi to capture the essence of the destination, which lies in its natural attractions such as forests and 500 million-year-old rock formations. The branding exercise will spearhead LADA’s plan to meet the targeted RM3.8 million (US$1.3 million) in tourism revenue and three million arrivals in 2015. The goal is for 2.6 million tourists this year.

Said Khalid: “By 2015, we want Langkawi to be among the top 10 island destinations in the world.”

By S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur

Copyright @ TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2013

It’s Naturally Langkawi.

Date: 31 October 2012

It’s Naturally Langkawi.

LANGKAWI (Oct 31, 2012): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak unveiled Langkawi's new branding, "Naturally Langkawi", at the Lada complex today. The branding gives the Langkawi archipelago a new positioning that emphasises it as a natural haven and natural choice for tourists.

"Naturally Langkawi" branding marks Langkawi's new initiative to make it a top 10 island destination in the world by 2015, in line with the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint 2011-2015.

The branding is chosen because of the flora and fauna found in Langkawi besides the 550-million-year-old rock formations, 99 islands forming the region's first geopark, its natural complement of rainforests, beaches, waterfalls, mangroves, unique wildlife and insects such as 500 species and sub-species of butterflies and more than 226 species of birds.

On top of that, the friendly people of Langkawi is the strength and the pulse of "Naturally Langkawi".

Currently ranked fourth best island in Asia by a poll done by Conde Nast Traveller, Langkawi aims to be one of the top 10 eco-destinations in the world by 2015.

Najib also said Langkawi has never been sidelined in the federal government's development agenda and the island will definitely benefit from more projects to propel it further as an international tourist destination. The government has listed 14 aggressive but realistic initiatives through the 2011-2015 Langkawi Tourism Blueprint, aimed at drawing three million visitors to the island with a revenue of RM3.8 billion by 2015, he said.

"But I understand that we have exceeded three million visitors this year itself. We've surpassed our target in 2012, what more in 2015," he said. – Bernama

Copyright © 2012 Sun Media Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

Kedah

Kedah Darul Aman

Kedah is rich in rice cultivation, the state has enjoyed the reputation as the 'Rice Bowl of Malaysia'. It is surrounded by the greenery of the ricefields during the planting season and golden hues at harvest time. 

Archaeological records at Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley) show that Kedah is the oldest civilization of Peninsular Malaysia. As far as 5th Century, traders travelling between China and India stopped over at Kedah. It was an ideal resting destination while waiting for the monsoons to change. 
   
State capital is Alor Setar has a generous share of tourist attractions, including the state museum, Pekan Rabu Bazaar, Menara Alor Setar and Lake Pedu. Pulau Langkawi is also part of Kedah, is a well known for international tourist destination with many international activities and events.

Area: 
9,426 sq km

State Capital: 
Alor Setar  

Places to visit:
1. Pulau Langkawi
2. Air Hangat Village
3. Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower)
4. Gunung Jerai
5. Gunung Keriang
6. Ulu Muda
7. Komplek Pekan Rabu (Wednesday Market Complex)
8. Royal Museum
9. Clock Tower
10. Alor Setar Monument
11. Birthplace of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
12. Pedu Lake
13. Kuala Kedah Fort
14. Lata Mengkuang
15. Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley)
16. Pulau Payar Marine Park
17. Bukit Kayu Hitam
18. Pantai Merdeka (Merdeka Beach)


Source: Tourism Malaysia