Sabah a magnet for tourists.

27th March, 2013

Sabah a magnet for tourists.

SABAH, also known as the “Land Below The Wind”, is among one of the country's fastest growing economies driven mainly by its eco-tourism products, palm oil industry and other natural resources.

Home to the nation's highest peak Mount Kinabalu and world-class diving site Sipadan, Sabah draws hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world annually.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Islands off the Kota Kinabalu capital city is also a popular draw for local and foreign tourists seeking adventure sport holiday packages.

The Danum Valley rainforest conservation area also draws researchers from all over the globe as well as prominent visitors like Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton last year.

 Copyright@1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd

Capitalising on Sarawak’s tourism opportunities.

26th March, 2013

Capitalising on Sarawak’s tourism opportunities.

KUCHING: For Sarawak to succeed in providing new tourism opportunities in order to attract more travellers and reach its target, it will have to resolve the issue of air connectivity. In its 2012 report on the state, Inside Investors highlighted that the Sarawak government and its Sabah counterpart were in agreement with Malaysia Airlines Systems Bhd (MAS) subsidiary MASwings to be East Malaysia’s own airline.

The latest developments indicated that this was the right decision. With added air capacity, the state could evolve into a tourism destination of choice for people who were not necessarily looking for the usual mass treatment but more for adventure, nature, cultural heritage and festivals.

Sarawak has recently found a niche in the so called musical tourism by staging several events the most famous of which were the Rainforest World Music Festival and the Miri International Jazz Festival. Both events are big draws for people who otherwise will probably bypass Sarawak compared to other tourism destinations.

“One other area is eco-tourism, which is part of the state’s development plan for the tourism sector. The government has indicated that all industry players will have to be responsive to the new plan, as it aims to create Sarawak’s own niche market to make its tourism offers more attractive,” Inside Investors enthused.

Meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector is also gaining traction. This form of tourism in Sarawak could be easily related to projects in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), an area in which the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) was focusing on. As far as the conferences related to SCORE, there would be, for example, the upcoming Hydropower Association conference in Kuching in May.

The government would use this as a platform to showcase how they could move forward in terms of hydropower utilisation and related technologies. All the events around SCORE offer a perfect opportunity for stakeholders to network with others who were also active in sub-sector business.

The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) responsible for the conventional tourism, hopes to see more funds allocated for the tourism sector in the future. Under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, the state government had allocated a five year RM30 million fund to cover all tourism activities as well as its operation costs to the board, which made RM6 million a year.

This was however deemed too low by STB which meant that funds need to be raised from private investors to ensure the tourism industry stays on track.

By: Jonathan Wong, jonathanwong@theborneopost.com

Copyright@2010-2013 BorneoPost Online

Sarawak Promotes Eco Tourism Through Overseas Academic Collaboration.

13th March, 2013

Sarawak Promotes Eco Tourism Through Overseas Academic Collaboration.

KUCHING - The second annual Southeast Asian Studies Symposium being held in London last week was one of the opportunities to promote Sarawak as an eco tourism destination through academic collaboration in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe.

Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg took the opportunity to promote and market Sarawak as an eco-tourism destination at the event, which was held on March 9 at the historical Balliol College, Oxford University in London.

The state Tourism Ministry had hosted a dinner for the 210 symposium participants, comprising academicians, researchers and scientists from United Kingdom, Europe and Southeast Asian countries, where guests were also entertained to a 30-minute Sarawak Cultural extravaganza by dancers from the Sarawak Cultural Village.

"The minister was given the honour and privilege to address the audience," said the ministry in a statement released here today.

It said a special paper on "Edible Bird Nest" in Borneo was also shared by Datuk Seri Lord Cranbrook, who had done extensive research in Sarawak on its rich biodiversity and ecosystem as well as written a few books and articles on Sarawak and Borneo.

Copyright@BERNAMA

‘Rampant land clearing in Kelantan will affect tourism’.

Date: 16 February 2013

‘Rampant land clearing in Kelantan will affect tourism’.

KOTA BARU: Rampant land clearing and serious environmental degradation in the state's forest reserves would affect Kelantan's image as an eco-tourism destination, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said that clearing of the state's forests without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would affect the ministry's promotion of the state.

“Tourism Malaysia's motto is to protect, manage and preserve the environment and Kelantan has the all the ingredients to promote eco-tourism. Publicity on the wanton land clearing without any EIA studies would certainly affect the ministry's efforts to promote eco-tourism in the state,” Dr Ng said after attending the state-level Chinese New Year celebrations here yesterday.

She was commenting on media reports that the Kelantan PAS-led government had cleared thousands of hectares of forest land in the Gua Musang and Kuala Krai districts which stretched to the state's borders with Perak and Pahang. The land clearing has also caused hardship to the orang asli as rivers have been polluted. Scores of orang asli living in settlements in Gua Musang have also been displaced and their income from forest produce has been affected after the state government allegedly alienated 200,000ha of land for the Ladang Rakyat scheme to non-bumiputra companies.

Dr Ng, who is also Kelantan MCA chief, said that the state government should protect the interest of all its residents.

Copyright @ 1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd

Tourism Malaysia eyes promotion of niche market segments.

Date: 12 February 2013

Tourism Malaysia eyes promotion of niche market segments.

NEW YORK: The new vice-president at Tourism Malaysia's New York office has identified "good business potential" in certain niche market segments which will be promoted during his tenure. Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali listed them as adventure, nature, diving, business travel and MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conferences and exhibitions).

"These segments are inherent with good business potential. But we also need to enhance the awareness of travellers from this part of the world about the attractions of Malaysia as a destination," Johanif, who arrived here two weeks ago, told Bernama in an interview on Tuesday.

Johanif noted that in a fiercely competitive place like New York, prices for long-haul flights were of crucial importance. "However, being a long-haul destination for American travellers, Malaysia's attractiveness can be further enhanced by offering it in combination with another destination in Southeast Asia such as Thailand or Singapore," he said.

Malaysia received a total of 240,134 visitors from the United States (US) in 2012, which was in fact, higher than the actual target of 230,000 visitors set for the US offices. The 2012 figures showed a 10.8 percent increase over 2011.

Another interesting segment inherent with good tourism potential is Malaysia's rainforests with their unique and exotic flora and fauna, which foreign visitors as well as students of ecology, botany and nature would find fascinating. Having been Tourism Malaysia's director in Sarawak before arriving in New York, Johanif has acquired good insights into the intricacies of nature and adventure tourism.

Johanif also discerned the cruise tourism segment as holding good promise for business, with this in mind, the New York office will attend the Miami Cruise Show scheduled for March in Miami. Tourism Malaysia is also eyeing for cruise ships to stop in Penang, Kota Kinabalu or Kuching en route to other destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan. - Bernama

Copyright @ 1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd

RM10,000 for info on elephant killers: MATTA.

Date: 31 January 2013

RM10,000 for info on elephant killers: MATTA.

KOTA KINABALU: A RM10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of those causing the death of 13 endangered Bornean Pygmy elephants at Yayasan Sabah Conservation area in the Gunung Rara Forest Reserve, Tawau.

The reward is offered by the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) Sabah which said the death of the elephants, believed to be caused by poisoning, was a great loss to the state and tourism industry as viewing them in the wild was always the highlight of nature wildlife tours.

MATTA Sabah chairman KL Tan said Bornean elephants were small in numbers and found in isolated pockets and listed as endangered animals. They were indigenous to Borneo and their generic distinctiveness made them one of the highest priority population for Asian Elephants conservation.

“If the shocking death of the Bornean elephants is confirmed to have been due to intentional poisoning, MATTA Sabah would offer a cash reward of RM10,000 for information leading to successful conviction of the culprits,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He urged those with information to contact the joint task force directed by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun and consisting of Sabah Wildlife Department, Forestry Department, Yayasan Sabah, WWF and Royal Malaysia Police.

“We urged the public to assist the task force to investigate the matter and to ensure there is no malicious intent on the innocent elephants. This cash reward is a positive indication of the travel industry involvement that we are serious in conservation and sustaining Sabah as an eco and wildlife destination,” Tan said.

“MATTA’s contribution is one of the proactive measures to express its interest to the community that we care and the need to protect the Bornean elephants and other endangered wildlife. Conservation of endangered wildlife is for the benefit of our future generation and sustaining tourism growth in Sabah,” he said.

Tan pointed out one of the key factors in Sabah’s flourishing tourism industry is its nature based tourism, which raked in an estimated RM5.178 billion in revenue with 2.8 million tourists in 2012.

The viewing of the Bornean elephants in Lower Kinabatangan, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Danum Valley is one of the main attractions for UK, Europe, Japanese and Australian tourists to Sabah. “Tourism benefits the whole community due to its spin-off effects and so the community will all lose out if we are not united to conserve our wildlife heritage in Sabah”.

Copyright @ 2010-2013 BorneoPost Online

Longhaul markets develop fancy for Sabah and Sarawak.

Date: 30 January 2013

Longhaul markets develop fancy for Sabah and Sarawak.

LONGHAUL travel consultants at the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Vientiane have seen growing interest in Sabah and Sarawak, with competitive airfares and hotel rates pushing up demand.

Norway-based Asia Spesialisten’s director of sales and marketing, Oddvar Sivertsen, said: “Low-cost carriers have opened air access to the more remote parts of Sabah and Sarawak, and this too is causing demand for tailor-made, off-the-beaten-track tours.”

Cheaper airfares and hotel rates had driven demand for FIT travel, especially among the 30-50 year-old group, he observed. Tours to these states typically combine a beach experience, a soft adventure component and cultural tours that incorporate educational elements and novel experiences.

Air France’s new thrice-weekly direct flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport beginning April 22 has also interested at least one DMC from France. Abako general manager, Jose Henrique Goncalves, said: “We’re in the middle of preparing a concept paper on Borneo as an incentive destination and once ready, we will promote it to our clients in the automobile, construction, health and finance sectors.

“With direct flights, we don’t have to stop in Singapore for a night, which is expensive. Malaysia’s hotel rates are competitive and one can negotiate with them. The French have a good image of Malaysia as a destination that is modern yet retains an old-world charm.”

Germany-based Kornelius Reisen’s owner, Johannes Harle, said Sabah and Sarawak also appealed to niche travellers keen on nature, culture and adventure.

By S Puvaneswary, Vientiane

Copyright @ TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd 2013

Tour Putrajaya On A Bicycle.

Date: 7 January 2013

Tour Putrajaya On A Bicycle.

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama) - Putrajaya is popular among cyclists these days, with more and more people riding their cycles on weekends in this city. Added with facilities like bicycle lanes, bicycles for rent, a BMX circuit and an off-road cycling track, the administrative capital is an alluring destination for cycling enthusiasts.

Therefore, it is not surprising to see cyclists from Klang Valley and other parts of the country in Putrajaya. In fact, there are a number of cyclists from Singapore and Indonesia too.

Some of the popular cycling events in Putrajaya include the Putrajaya Inter-Park Ride, Putrajaya Critical Mass and MTB Jamboree @ Putrajaya. These events are well received by local and foreign cyclists. During these events, Putrajaya appears as the bicycle capital of the country. Thousands of riders with their colourful bicycles add to the picturesque landscape of Putrajaya.

To increase the number of cycling activities in Putrajaya, two more cycling activities were introduced in December 2012. The two activities are Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia Putrajaya Bike Ride (CC1MPBR) and Paya Indah Wetlands (PIW). After launching the two cycling activities, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen said the Tourism Ministry will promote Putrajaya as a bicycle-friendly city and a green destination. This is in line with the garden city concept promoted by the city's administrator - Putrajaya Corporation.

"Now, the Bike Ride activity is present in almost every state in Malaysia," she said. Currently, about 38 cycling tour packages are available in Putrajaya, with one package extending to Paya Indah Wetlands in Banting, Selangor, about 25 km from Putrajaya. The packages are tailored to meet the requirements of tourists, families and even big groups of visitors. The prices of the packages are fixed for the year 2013. So, visitors can plan their cycling tours without worrying about additional charges during peak hours.

The Paya Indah Wetlands are rich in flora and fauna provide a unique experience for those visiting the place on the cycle. Covering an area of 450,76 hectares, and they are home to many hippopotamuses, crocodiles, 226 species of birds, 63 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians and 14 species of fish. Cycling is permitted on the 18 km off-road track in this nature park, which is part of the 60 km track that links Banting to Putrajaya. Other activities that can be carried out in the Paya Indah Wetlands are bird watching, feeding hippopotamuses and crocodiles, kayaking, and a boat ride to Gibbon Island.

Tour agents are hopeful that cycling programmes will increase the number of tourists to Putrajaya. They also feel that Putrajaya will be known as a green city. Saidinar Mohd Noor, owner of Dinar Holidays Sdn Bhd, said these cycling packages promote a healthy lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Haizan Mohd Nor, General Manager of IMG Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, said new attractions, including the Paya Indah Wetlands, appeal to the general public. "We are coming up with affordable packages so that everyone can take park in cycling activities," said Haizan, whose agency offers three cycling packages.

Director of Pesaka Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, Zakiah Yunus, when met noted that her company chose the concept of 'hunt' to promote learning while touring. Cycling packages offered by this company are ideal for students. "Students can learn and have fun at the same time," explained Zakiah.

Last year, Tourism Malaysia Jakarta (TMJ) introduced the 3D/2N Special Package to encourage Indonesians to tour Putrajaya on bicycles. Close to 80 Indonesians took part in the programme. The package was developed by TMJ and Anditar Tour costing USD405 (about RM1,250) includes flight tickets, accommodation, tours and meals.

TMJ's Director, Nor Aznan Sulaiman, said many Indonesians will take part in cycling activities as they love cycling. "So, we approached a local tour agency to take the package to the next level," he said. Janto Hassan, 50, said he was impressed by the event. "The Indonesian government encourages cycling. Certain roads in Jakarta cannot be used by motor vehicles on weekends. Only cyclists can use these roads. This way, the country can overcome energy crisis," he said, adding that Malaysia should come up with similar activities.

For further information about these packages, contact Tourism Malaysia at 1 300 88 5050 or enquiries@tourism.gov.my or visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my.

By Ali Imran Mohd Noordin

Copyrights @ BERNAMA

Sarawak to bank on culture, eco-tourism.

Date: 31 December 2012

Sarawak to bank on culture, eco-tourism.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism will continue to highlight Sarawak’s unique culture and eco-tourism products during Visit Sarawak Year which will stretch from July 2013 till June 2014. The Ministry will also be setting into motion several initiatives together with other major stakeholders to woo more quality tourists.

Among these initiatives are selling handicrafts at shopping centres in Kuching, said its minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. “Kuching now boasts several new shopping centres for tourists. This is to provide tourists a place to do their shopping. Handicrafts will also be made available at these shopping malls,” he said during a farewell dinner for outgoing Tourism Malaysia (Sarawak) director Johanif Ali on Saturday.

Touching on attractions in Kuching, he said among the infrastructure highlights would be the proposed pedestrian bridge across Sungai Sarawak which is expected to be completed by 2014. “This will complete and complement the heritage trial within Kuching city centre.”

He added that several fringe events would also be held to complement the annual Rainforest World Music Festival in Santubong.

On improvements to national parks, Abang Johari said that information centres or kiosks would be built in national parks complete with technological gadgets to disseminate information.

On Johanif, Abang Johari hoped that he would continue to promote Sarawak in his new posting in New York. “On behalf of the state government, I would like to give my thanks to Johanif for his contributions to Sarawak in the past four years.”

Johanif, in his speech, said the relationship between Tourism Malaysia and the state government had been very instrumental. “I hope this relationship will continue and further strengthen,” said Johanif, who will be succeeded by Salehuddin Ariffin, who is currently Malaysia Tourism New York office director.

By Jeremy Veno, reporters@theborneopost.com

Copyright 2010-2012 BorneoPost Online

Inaugural eco-tourism summit attracts 200.

Date: 20 December 2012

Inaugural eco-tourism summit attracts 200.

THE inaugural National Eco-Tourism Summit, held recently at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, here, is going to be an annual event.

JOHOR BARU: Co-organised by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA), the three-day event attracted some 200 participants. It is a platform for those in the eco-tourism industry and environmental sector to share ideas on expansion.

IRDA state commissioner, Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim, said the oil and gas hub in Pengerang at the southeastern tip of Johor will not affect the other parts of Iskandar Malaysia. "We will give due care to the Ramsar-gazetted conservation sites of Pulau Kukup, Sungai Pulai and Tanjung Piai," he said, adding that zones have been earmarked for man-made development and eco-tourism.

He said IRDA was focusing on four areas to promote sustainable development in Iskandar Malaysia. These were food and beverage trades, theme parks, heritage and culture, and eco-tourism. "IRDA will also tap into avi-tourism, which is based on attractions involving birding activities, in line with its plan for sustainable development in the growth corridor," he said.

"More than 100 fishermen in Kampung Sungai Melayu, near Sungai Danga, are being roped into a pilot project to develop this niche area of eco-tourism." Badrul Hisham said the fishermen and other villagers would double up as local tour guides for tourists, especially bird lovers who are known to watch the trail of migratory birds.

"There is a trend where several species of migratory birds will make Johor a stopover point during their migratory journey from Siberia to Australia between the months of September and March," he said. "There are die-hard birdwatchers who will follow the flight of the birds. Last April, we launched a training programme for villagers of Kampung Sungai Melayu."

He said villagers were trained to communicate in English and also in being able to identify different species of migratory birds. "We are creating a wider awareness on how to conserve the natural habitats of the birds," he added.

Some 200 participants comprising representatives from environmental agencies and the ecotourism sector attended the summit.

By CHUAH BEE KIM | johor@nst.com.my

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

IRDA To Place Emphasis On Developing Eco-Tourism.

Date: 17 December 2012

IRDA To Place Emphasis On Developing Eco-Tourism.

JOHOR BAHARU (Bernama) - Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is placing emphasis on developing eco-tourism in Iskandar Malaysia to offer an alternative tourism attraction other than theme parks.

IRDA commissioner Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim said it was committed in achieving a balanced development in Johor's eco-tourism sector alongside the state's man made attractions such as the Legoland Malaysia Theme Park and the Puteri Harbour Indoor Family Theme Park.

"Iskandar Malaysia is currently experiencing vast economic development but it is also important to create a sustainable metropolis," he said at a press conference after launching the Iskandar Malaysia National Eco-tourism Summit at Persada Johor here Monday.

He said IRDA had adopted Kampung Sungai Melayu, popular for its bird watching activities, as their pilot project to develop the eco-tourism sector.

The villagers were given education on how to differentiate local and migratory birds to ensure that they provided correct information to bird lovers as the village was one of the stops for thousands of migratory birds from Russia, annually.

On the summit, Badrul said about 150 domestic and international delegates would be engaged in knowledge-sharing seminars and workshops on ways to develop the industry in Johor.

Copyrights @ BERNAMA