Malaysia to host congress for concierges.

Date: 26 February 2013

Malaysia to host congress for concierges.

KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIA will be hosting the 61st Les Clefs d'Or Union UICH International Congress in 2014. The Society of Golden Keys Malaysia president Ragu Kumarasamy said that more than 400 of the world's concierges from more than 43 countries are expected to converge for the congress. The congress which will be held from Jan 11 to 16 will be filled with many programmes and activities.

"Kuala Lumpur has been chosen as the preferred destination by the Union Internationale Des Concierges D'Hotels Les Clefs d'Or International board of directors following a bid by the Malaysian team," he said.

He said that the successful bid was initiated by the Society of Golden Keys Malaysia which was supported by MyCEB, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and its hotel partners. He added that the international board of directors was very impressed with the preparation made by the Malaysian team.

"We have been officially awarded the right to host the conference after United Kingdom (2012) and New Zealand (2013)," he said. "Participants will be able to tour Kuala Lumpur after dark, go to food fairs, shopping trips and attend the International board of directors meeting and also the general assembly," he said.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said that Malaysia was fortunate to be given the opportunity to host the congress. "We will be able to increase awareness about our country to other participants," he said.

He added that Malaysia has always been a good example of Asian culture. "We can showcase the real meaning behind our tag line Malaysia Truly Asia," he added.

Les Clefs d'Or international president Virginia Casale said she believes that Malaysia will be able to do it. "Malaysia has one of the highest growth in the hospitality sector in the world," she said.

MyCEB chief executive officer Zulkefli Sharif said the congress will help generate more income. "This congress will generate approximately RM6.7 million in terms of the economic impact and RM4 million in visitor expenditure to the country," he said.

Also present at the announcement was Negri Sembilan Tourism Malaysia director, Zaidi Kassim and Les Clefs d'Or UICH second international vice-president Colin Toomey.

For more information about the Society of the Golden Keys Malaysia, log on to www.uichlesclefsdor.org.

By SERI NOR NADIAH KORIS | streets@nstp.com.my 

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