The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is eyeing more than 100,000 visitors during the three-day 32nd MATTA Fair, starting Aug 12, at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.
MATTA president, Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun, said the target was achievable due to the current conducive environment that has been boosted by positive development in the country's economy and tourism sectors, among others.
In addition many key exhibitors will not be taking part in the August fair due to budget constraints.
He said this during a joint press conference between MATTA and Hong Leong Bank Thursday.
One can say many things at a press conference. But one has to face the reality that this fair is in the midst of the holy month of Ramadhan and you can safely discount the number of attendance of Muslim travllers on that week. PWTC will be jamned with visitors going to get things at the ramadhan bazaar at level 3. So good to your people in MATTA.
Meanwhile Hong Leong's General Manager for Unsecured Lending, Margaret Then, said the Hong Leong Bank Matta Credit Card would continue to provide a complete package of offers and privileges, complementing travel needs of cardholders.
The bank is targeting 3,000 successful applicants during the fair.
NO LIES... JUST THE FACTS!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tourism Promotion To Showcase Ramadan In Malaysia
In her usual self of always having something to say and better said by others, Tourism Minsiter Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said The Tourism Ministry will intensify promotion to showcase Ramadan in Malaysia in efforts attract more tourists, especially from West Asia.
The third Ramadan Bazaar in Kampung Baru jointly hosted with the Jamek Mosque would enable foreign tourists to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan in the country.
"As of last January, Malaysia received 16,329 tourists from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran compared to 15,008 in the corresponding period last year," she said after launching the Ramadan Bazaar at the Jamek Mosque, Kampung Baru here Wednesday.
Dr Ng said the iconic "bubur lambuk" (porridge) of Kampung Baru would be popularised in other places such as Raub, Pahang on Aug 16.
Sounding like the Grand Imam she said 66 Ramadan Bazaars catered to the delight of customers and tourists in the city, including three in Kampung Baru, namely in Jalan Raja Alang, Jalan Raja Muda Musa and Jalan Raja Uda.
The third Ramadan Bazaar in Kampung Baru jointly hosted with the Jamek Mosque would enable foreign tourists to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan in the country.
"As of last January, Malaysia received 16,329 tourists from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran compared to 15,008 in the corresponding period last year," she said after launching the Ramadan Bazaar at the Jamek Mosque, Kampung Baru here Wednesday.
Dr Ng said the iconic "bubur lambuk" (porridge) of Kampung Baru would be popularised in other places such as Raub, Pahang on Aug 16.
Sounding like the Grand Imam she said 66 Ramadan Bazaars catered to the delight of customers and tourists in the city, including three in Kampung Baru, namely in Jalan Raja Alang, Jalan Raja Muda Musa and Jalan Raja Uda.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
UNESCO HERITAGE SITE IS A TOURISM BOOST
Penang's listing as a UNESCO Heritage site in 2008, had given the island a big boost by attracting international tourists and is confident of surpassing last year's record of 9.5 million international and domestic visitors to the island state, said its exco for Tourism Development and Culture, Law Heng Kiang.
"Our tourism industry is upbeat and we are eager to welcome visitors and ensure they enjoyed their stay and see the best of Penang," he said at a gathering of Australian travel agents, tour operators and media here Sunday.
He said Penang had a lot to offer, including its international festivals and competitions, including the Dragon Boat Festival, the Penang Bridge marathon and the Chingay competition.
"The state's cultural heritage and wonderful cuisine has also attracted tourists to the state. The island's hotels are fully booked during school holidays as well as during durian season.
But this would be meaningless if the heritage centres and not maintained from time to ensure its sustainability.
"Our tourism industry is upbeat and we are eager to welcome visitors and ensure they enjoyed their stay and see the best of Penang," he said at a gathering of Australian travel agents, tour operators and media here Sunday.
He said Penang had a lot to offer, including its international festivals and competitions, including the Dragon Boat Festival, the Penang Bridge marathon and the Chingay competition.
"The state's cultural heritage and wonderful cuisine has also attracted tourists to the state. The island's hotels are fully booked during school holidays as well as during durian season.
But this would be meaningless if the heritage centres and not maintained from time to ensure its sustainability.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
TRAVEL AGENTS STILL RELEVANT
The role of travel agents in China is still relevant towards boosting the tourist traffic between China and Malaysia, despite high level of advancement in ICT where travel arrangements can be made via online.
Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan underlined this in his congratulatory speech at the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) China Top Agents Award Ceremony 2011 here.
“Channels such as online booking and e-debit transactions for travelling are still in an infancy stage in China. Thus, customers there still rely on consulting roles provided by travel agents there to advise them on product experience and destinations. All of you (the Chinese travel agents) are very much involved in catering for such demand in the value chain – you are the experts who understand the needs of your Chinese customers. Your knowledge on destinations will help you to market and promote routes that will not only satisfy your customers, but will also generate profits for your businesses,” he said in his address to the audience at a hotel here last Friday.
According to data from Tourism Malaysia, the country recorded over 1.13 million tourist arrivals from China for the period between January to December last year – a healthy 10.8 per cent growth from some 1.02 million Chinese tourists here in corresponding period in 2009.
The annual event, organised by national carrier MAS, witnessed the recognition of the airlines’ 50 top-performing travel agencies from the regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Expressing a similar sentiment with Rashid, it was highlighted that since 2007, MAS had seen its China region enjoying healthy revenue growth of over 10 per cent per annum, with average seat factor growing at double-digit levels.
“MAS has always recognised China and its surrounding regions as a fully potential market. In 2010, there were over 50 flights that serviced China and Hong Kong region from Malaysia, with average seat factor consistently reaching the 70-per cent level. This remarkable result is testament to the strong partnership and cooperation between MAS and these Chinese travel agencies. As such, we are proud to be associated with such high-performing, high-quality partners towards boosting the inter-tourism traffic between Malaysia and China,” he said.
“We have done this in order to support the travel agents in China to sell their products on Malaysia and in particularly, on Sarawak."
Will anyone be doing the same for agents in Malaysia, to make them continuously relevant.
Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan underlined this in his congratulatory speech at the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) China Top Agents Award Ceremony 2011 here.
“Channels such as online booking and e-debit transactions for travelling are still in an infancy stage in China. Thus, customers there still rely on consulting roles provided by travel agents there to advise them on product experience and destinations. All of you (the Chinese travel agents) are very much involved in catering for such demand in the value chain – you are the experts who understand the needs of your Chinese customers. Your knowledge on destinations will help you to market and promote routes that will not only satisfy your customers, but will also generate profits for your businesses,” he said in his address to the audience at a hotel here last Friday.
According to data from Tourism Malaysia, the country recorded over 1.13 million tourist arrivals from China for the period between January to December last year – a healthy 10.8 per cent growth from some 1.02 million Chinese tourists here in corresponding period in 2009.
The annual event, organised by national carrier MAS, witnessed the recognition of the airlines’ 50 top-performing travel agencies from the regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Expressing a similar sentiment with Rashid, it was highlighted that since 2007, MAS had seen its China region enjoying healthy revenue growth of over 10 per cent per annum, with average seat factor growing at double-digit levels.
“MAS has always recognised China and its surrounding regions as a fully potential market. In 2010, there were over 50 flights that serviced China and Hong Kong region from Malaysia, with average seat factor consistently reaching the 70-per cent level. This remarkable result is testament to the strong partnership and cooperation between MAS and these Chinese travel agencies. As such, we are proud to be associated with such high-performing, high-quality partners towards boosting the inter-tourism traffic between Malaysia and China,” he said.
“We have done this in order to support the travel agents in China to sell their products on Malaysia and in particularly, on Sarawak."
Will anyone be doing the same for agents in Malaysia, to make them continuously relevant.
Monday, August 1, 2011
PM WANTS NEW AREAS PROMOTED
In a brand new move, Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak today advised the tourism industry to explore and promote new areas instead of merely focusing on the established attractions. This is a far departure from the policy of the Tourism Ministry which only focuses on primary destinations in Malaysia.
New areas must be identified and promoted to further develop the industry, he said at the launch of the ground-breaking for a four-star resort here, an event also attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and UDA Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
PM Mohd Najib said the development of the resort in Pekan, for example, was likely to boost tourism in the royal town.
He also said that a waterfront would be developed on a bank of the Pahang River flowing through the town to boost its tourism potential.
The resort will be developed by UDA Holdings at a cost of RM80 million. It is expected to be completed in 2013.
The resort, boasting a "modern tropical" concept, will be built in the Peramu Jaya area, adjacent to the official residence of the prime minister in Pekan already boast of a four star rating even befor the official opening.
Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan said the strategic location of the resort on a bank of the Pahang River would serve as an attraction for tourists.
"I believe the 133-room resort will spur the tourism industry as it changes the landscape of development in Pekan and creates an economic spillover for the local people," he said.
New areas must be identified and promoted to further develop the industry, he said at the launch of the ground-breaking for a four-star resort here, an event also attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and UDA Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
PM Mohd Najib said the development of the resort in Pekan, for example, was likely to boost tourism in the royal town.
He also said that a waterfront would be developed on a bank of the Pahang River flowing through the town to boost its tourism potential.
The resort will be developed by UDA Holdings at a cost of RM80 million. It is expected to be completed in 2013.
The resort, boasting a "modern tropical" concept, will be built in the Peramu Jaya area, adjacent to the official residence of the prime minister in Pekan already boast of a four star rating even befor the official opening.
Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan said the strategic location of the resort on a bank of the Pahang River would serve as an attraction for tourists.
"I believe the 133-room resort will spur the tourism industry as it changes the landscape of development in Pekan and creates an economic spillover for the local people," he said.
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