World's best cruise ships named.

Date: 27 February 2013

World's best cruise ships named.

PENNINGTON, N.J. - The results 2013 Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards have been announced today.

Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, Disney Fantasy, swept the boards in the large ship class, taking five top places including best in class. Disney Fantasy, which debuted in March 2012, was named Best Large Ship, and took first place in five other categories: Best Cabins, Best Entertainment, Best Public Rooms, and Best Service. Its sister ship, Disney Dream, won Best Shore Excursions.

Holland America's Noordam ship was named Best Mid-Sized Ship, and Azamara Quest won Best Small Ship -- along with Best for Fitness and Best Service in the Small Ship category.

The Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards are based on reviews submitted by cruisers for cruises taken during 2012. They are awarded in three ship classes, according to passenger capacity – small (1,199 passengers or fewer), mid-sized (1,200 to 1,999) and large (2,000+). The top 10 ships in each class are named in the following categories: Overall, Cabins, Dining, Embarkation, Entertainment, Fitness, Public Rooms, Service, Shore Excursions and Value for Money. Awards are also given to the top-ranked ships in popular cruise regions; Alaska, Bahamas, Caribbean and the Mediterranean. This year's winners include:

Best Large Ships

Disney Fantasy: Best Overall Large Ship, Best Cabins, Best Entertainment, Best Public Rooms, Best Service

Disney Dream: Best Shore Excursions

Celebrity Reflection: Best Dining

Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean): Best for Fitness, Best for Embarkation

Celebrity Eclipse: Best Value for Money

Best Mid-Sized Ships

Noordam (Holland America): Best Overall Mid-Sized Ship

Marina (Oceania): Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best Public Rooms

Thomson Dream: Best Entertainment, Best Service

Westerdam (Holland America): Best for Fitness, Best Shore Excursions

Norwegian Spirit: Best Value for Money

Celebrity Summit: Best for Embarkation

Best Small Ships

Azamara Quest: Best Overall Small Ship, Best for Fitness, Best for Service

Azamara Journey: Best Value for Money

Crystal Serenity: Best Dining, Best Entertainment

Crystal Symphony: Best Public Rooms

Seabourn Odyssey: Best Cabins

Seven Seas Navigator (Regent): Best Shore Excursions

Wind Surf (Windstar): Best for Embarkation

Best for Families (all ship sizes) - Disney Fantasy

Best Destination Cruises

Best Cruise to Alaska: Volendam (Holland America)

Best Cruise to the Bahamas: Disney Dream

Best Cruise to the Caribbean: Disney Fantasy

Best Cruise to the Mediterranean: Riviera (Oceania)

Best from Florida: Disney Fantasy

Best from the Northeast: Norwegian Star

Best from the West Coast Westerdam (Holland America)

"These awards are based entirely on reviews submitted by cruisers, so offer a terrific insight into what consumers think of the ships they have sailed on," explained Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. "It's interesting to note that eight out of 10 awards in the Large Ship category went to ships launched within the past two years, so it seems that cruisers are enthusiastic about many of the emerging trends in dining, entertainment and onboard experiences."

Copyright @ 2001-2013 eTurboNews, Inc.

Borneo International Bird Race to take flight.

Date: 27 February 2013

Borneo International Bird Race to take flight.

THE inaugural Borneo International Bird Race is due to take place in May and June across Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak, and has already confirmed participation from international bird enthusiasts. Organised by Sandakan Borneo Bird Club with support from the respective tourism boards, the event will be launched on May 31 at Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei.

The race will kick off on June 1 at Ulu Temburong, continue at Borneo Highlands Resort in Sarawak on June 4, Kinabalu Park in Sabah on June 6 and the Rainforest Discovery Centre Sandakan on June 8.

Participants must take part in the entire race and aim to identify the most number of species within 24 hours for each leg.

Organisers are expecting bird clubs from 10 countries to send three representatives each. Countries that have confirmed their participation so far are India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan, said Roger Rajah, manager of AsiaMemories Brunei and organiser for the Brunei chapter of the race.

According to him, bird watchers from Malaysia and Brunei are forbidden from joining the race as they would have an unfair advantage. Rajah added: “It is a good opportunity for inbound operators in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei to package tours as participants tend to come with their families.”

By S Puvaneswary, Bandar Seri Begawan 

Copyright TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2013

MATTA Eyes RM90 Million Sales In March MATTA Fair 2013.

Date: 27 February 2013

MATTA Eyes RM90 Million Sales In March MATTA Fair 2013.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) - The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) expects to secure RM90 million in total sales turnover for its MATTA Fair 2013 March session, slightly lower than the RM106 million registered in the same session last year.

In September 2012, the most anticipated travel fair secured a RM120 million sales turnover.

MATTA Fair March 2013 Organising Chairman Jeffri Sulaiman said the upcoming 13th general election (GE), expected to be in March, has weighed on the sentiment of industry players. "As everybody is aware, the GE has put worries on consumers as well as exhibitors. We've been asking what MATTA's plan is if the GE falls during the exhibition days. There is nothing we could do, the show must go on," he told a press conference on the event Wednesday.

MATTA Fair 2013 will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre on March 15-17. Jeffri said this session will be bigger than the previous one with a total of 1,100 booths in five halls and exhibition areas.

The association plans to expand the coverage area into Legar Putra, PWTC, to support all exhibitor booths.

Jeffri expects the three-day event to receive a total of 100,000 visitors, a hike from 92,600 visitors in the same session of 2012. "We are positive with the outlook of Malaysia's tourism industry despite the uncertain global economy. The number of MATTA members has increased from 2,800 in last year to 3,000, to date. This shows a high demand for our travel industry," he said.

Jeffri noted MATTA FAIR 2013 will draw several new services with the introduction of online entrance ticket purchase, MATTA mobile Apps and online entry forms for the MATTA buyers contest.

At the same event today, MATTA signed an agreement with Etihad Airways to mark the latter as its official airline partner for the second consecutive session.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

Tourism Programmes Provide Thousands Of Jobs In Penang.

Date: 26 February 2013

Tourism Programmes Provide Thousands Of Jobs In Penang.

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 26 (Bernama) - Tourism Ministry programmes in Penang have opened thousands of jobs for the local population while increasing the state's revenue.

Penang Tourism Ministry Office director, Jaime Yeoh said the ministry is organising various events, including a Mini Carnival to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014 from March 2-3. The carnival with the theme, "Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia.. We Are The Host' is expected to be launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, he told a press conference Tuesday.

Other than tour packages designed for health-tourism, it is also promoting Juru Autocity, the hub for the homestay programme and luxury yachts.

The ministry is targeting tourists from India, China, Russia, Middle East and countries in the region as many airlines are interested in flying to destinations in Malaysia.

Yeoh said the Mini Carnival will showcase tourism products, social services, cultural performances and development of the tourism industry. The public will also have the opportunity to apply for jobs and training to meet the demands of the tourism industry during Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

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 

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

'Kuala Lumpur by cycle' enables tourists to explore KL.

Date: 26 February 2013

'Kuala Lumpur by cycle' enables tourists to explore KL.

KUALA LUMPUR City Hall (DBKL) today introduced a new tourism product, that is exploring Kuala Lumpur on a bicycle.

Launched by Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib here, the programme 'Kuala Lumpur By Cycle' enables tourist to cycle to explore the environmental beauty of the national capital such as the Taman Botani Perdana, Taman Burung and Memorial Tun Abdul Razak beginning today.

Speaking to reporters after launching the programme, Ahmad Phesal said tourists had the opportunity to explore Kuala Lumpur by themselves through the cycling package, while under the group cycling package, the tourists would be accompanied by a tourist guide.

Under the programme, tourists are required to rent the bicycle according to the package offered that is RM30 for the first four hours and an additional RM5 for each subsequent hour, while the group package with the tourist guide is RM45.

"The tourist will be provided with a bicycle, helmet, and other safety features, besides a map as a guide and safety of the rider," he said. - Bernama

Copyright @ 2012 Malay Mail Sdn. Bhd.

NTO Wants Malaysia To Share Tourism Success, Especially In Handling Crises.

Date: 25 February 2013

NTO Wants Malaysia To Share Tourism Success, Especially In Handling Crises.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) - The National Tourism Organisation (NTO) picked Malaysia to conduct the Asean Tourism Crisis Management and Communication Workshop because it wanted the country to share its tourism success, especially in handling crises.

Tourism Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, said the selection was viewed as an acknowledgement of Malaysia's various tourism contributions to the region. "Malaysia is proud to undertake the two-day workshop, starting today, and do its part as an Asean member in an effort to build the quality and professionalism of the Asean tourism manpower," he said in a statement.

Ong said the global tourism industry has been affected by several crises over the past couple of years and Malaysia was no exception. "However, despite the various external uncertainties in the world and region, Malaysia's tourism performance continues to shine, emerging with 25.03 million in tourist arrivals last year, with a total of RM60.6 billion in tourist receipts," he said.

He said the largest growth would be seen in Asia-Pacific, where arrivals were forecast to increase by 331 million to 535

million in 2030. "Asia-Pacific countries will have an increased share of the global tourist market from 22 per cent in 2010 to 30 per cent in 2030," he said.

Ong said with this outlook, it was important for Asean countries to realise their strengths as one, and work together as one to ensure the region continued to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists.

Over 40 participants from government agencies and tourism trade members of Asean countries are attending the workshop.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

Visitors Warned On High-Quality Fake Currency In Sydney

Date: 25 February 2013

Visitors Warned On High-Quality Fake Currency In Sydney

MELBOURNE, Feb 25 (Bernama) - Malaysians visiting Australia should be careful as Sydney has been flooded with counterfeit cash that is of such high quality some banks are struggling to detect it.

In the past two months, organised crime gangs have caused a "significant spike" in the amount of fake currency - mainly A$50 and A$100 notes - passed in restaurants, bars and fast food outlets, particularly in Sydney's west.

Just two weeks ago they charged a Comanchero bikie with being in possession of A$520,000 in "funny money", the Australian Associated Press reports.

Businesses in the Sydney suburbs of Fairfield, Mt Druitt and Penrith have all detected fake notes, mainly A$100 bills. It is also unknowingly being passed around by banks.

Police warned the high quality of the bank notes meant they were difficult to detect. "They have been coated in a plastic resin to make them have a feel similar to a real note. They are pretty good. In the past, A$50 notes were the most popular but we are seeing an increasing number of A$100," a police spokesman is quoted as saying

All discoveries of forged money are handed to the Reserve Bank and Australian Federal Police to investigate.

Despite government assurances that counterfeiting is a minor problem in Australia, local and international crime syndicates are known to have been involved in its production on a mass scale.

By Neville D'Cruz 

Copyrights @ BERNAMA