Like everyone else in other states, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is excited as they have discovered several areas in the central region that are unexplored but have high tourism potential. STB local office executive Rudy Anoi has described Pakan, Julau and Kanowit as tourism’s ‘missing link’.
During a recent exploration to enhance product knowledge and catalogue tourism products in the vast central region, STB personnel and some players from the tourism sector were amazed by the breathtaking beauty of these places.
“We have entered an unexplored tourism destination, which is located about an hour’s drive from Sibu. We have chosen this area because thus far there are no agents who really develop and sell such tour packages. With all the information that we have gathered from this trip, we hope to share it with the tourism stakeholders and then start the ball rolling to promote tourism in the central region,” enthused Rudy.
He disclosed that tourism products in Sibu were mostly classified under the “sightseeing category”, which included the central market, heritage garden and indoor museum.
“To get visitors extend their stay in Sibu, or Central Region for that matter, they should be given a wider range of options. Visitors would most certainly look out for something new. I am confident that if the option is attractive, they are likely to extend their stay here.”
He reckoned that with the extension of product knowledge about Pakan, Julau and Kanowit, travel agents could tap the potential of this area.
He said agents could perhaps organise trips to Lumbong Rentap (Rentap Thomb – Iban Warrior) in Bukit Sibau, visit the traditional Iban musical instruments cottage industry and handicraft maker. “It offers a different experience to the tourists.”
As for Julau, he suggested that the tour include jungle trekking and visit to waterfalls such as Jepelak Waterfall (half an hour’s journey from Rh Seli, Ng Liuh). Tourists can also visit the historical Kubu Brooke in Meluan, Rh Ngumbang Nanga Ayam — the popular handicraft producer and Rh Juna with its beautiful and traditional structure. “It is acclaimed as the most “unique” longhouse in Julau district with native design on the wall,” he noted.
In Kanowit, visitors can experience staying at Trang Lodge, Rh Benjamin Angki Rantau Kemiding. It is located about five minutes’ drive from Kanowit town. While there, visitors can experience the longhouse tour and local food, while the more adventurous ones could attempt jungle trekking.
“When we organised this (recent) trip, little did we expect this much of excitement. We need to see things from a tourist’s point of view. What the locals think is not attractive may be a gold mine to tourists,” Rudy enthused.
NO LIES... JUST THE FACTS!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
RAIL TRAVEL PACKAGES
Although there no extensive rail network in Malaysia, KTM Berhad (KTMB) will be offering exclusive travel packages through its KTM Intercity services, in conjunction with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2011 to be held at Putra World Trade Centre from March 11 to 13.
KTM’s SBU Intercity Services marketing manager Mohd Noordin Kimi said they were supportive of MATTA Fair’s role in promoting productivity and tourism. “We hope with all these incentives, we can help promote the local tourism industry,” said Mohd Noordin.
Some of the exclusive deals up for grabs include the ‘All in 1Malaysia’ promotion. With a group of minimum six passengers comprising at least three different races, passengers will be able to enjoy 25% off from their return tickets. The promotion will be available throughout the year.
Commuters taking the KTM Komuter train to the MATTA Fair in a group of minimum three people will also be able to enjoy 25% off their Komuter journey ticket. The public can visit the KTM Intercity Booth at the fair to grab return tickets, for a minimum of two passengers, at a promotional price of 25% discount. The tickets are valid up to May 31.
KTMB will also be giving out a mystery gift to every 1,000th visitor to their booth and is offering vouchers to MATTA to be given out at the fair.
MATTA Fair organising chairman John Tan said this year’s fair would see an increased number of booths, new exhibitors and better deals. He said MATTA was working closely with the national and state tourism boards to promote tourism actively and ensure better service of participating agents.
“We expect to see a turnout of more than 80,000 visitors this year. There are 978 booths at the fair,” he added.
The KTM Intercity promotional packages will be available through KTMB and KTM Intercity’s website as well as at participating travel agencies. For details, visit www.ktmb.com.my or call 03-2279 8867, or visit the MATTA website at www.mattafair.org.my
KTM’s SBU Intercity Services marketing manager Mohd Noordin Kimi said they were supportive of MATTA Fair’s role in promoting productivity and tourism. “We hope with all these incentives, we can help promote the local tourism industry,” said Mohd Noordin.
Some of the exclusive deals up for grabs include the ‘All in 1Malaysia’ promotion. With a group of minimum six passengers comprising at least three different races, passengers will be able to enjoy 25% off from their return tickets. The promotion will be available throughout the year.
Commuters taking the KTM Komuter train to the MATTA Fair in a group of minimum three people will also be able to enjoy 25% off their Komuter journey ticket. The public can visit the KTM Intercity Booth at the fair to grab return tickets, for a minimum of two passengers, at a promotional price of 25% discount. The tickets are valid up to May 31.
KTMB will also be giving out a mystery gift to every 1,000th visitor to their booth and is offering vouchers to MATTA to be given out at the fair.
MATTA Fair organising chairman John Tan said this year’s fair would see an increased number of booths, new exhibitors and better deals. He said MATTA was working closely with the national and state tourism boards to promote tourism actively and ensure better service of participating agents.
“We expect to see a turnout of more than 80,000 visitors this year. There are 978 booths at the fair,” he added.
The KTM Intercity promotional packages will be available through KTMB and KTM Intercity’s website as well as at participating travel agencies. For details, visit www.ktmb.com.my or call 03-2279 8867, or visit the MATTA website at www.mattafair.org.my
Thursday, March 3, 2011
555,000 FILIPINOS TO VISIT MALAYSIA
Peple do make fun with figures.A good example is that Tourism Malaysia is targeting about 555,000 Filipinos to visit the country’s neighbor in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region this year.
Zakaria Mohd Nani head of the Tourism Board Malaysia and Deputy Director for International Marketing Division (South East Asia) said that over the years, Filipino tourist arrivals to Malaysia have increased, he told reporters during the launch of said facility. In 2010 alone, a total of 486,790 Filipinos visited Malaysia, which is about a nine percent improvement compared to figures recorded in 2009.
The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board recently opened its one-month customer assistance stall facility at the Ayala Center Cebu, in partnership with budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB). The move is intended to increase Filipino tourists going to Malaysia this year.
The Cebu consumer promotion facility dubbed “Suroy-Suroy sa Malaysia Bai” hopes to encourage more Cebuanos to visit this exciting and leading tourist destination in the ASEAN. Special tour packages with airfares, hotel accommodations, and tours are made available.
The travel display is being organized by Ayala Center Cebu and Selrahco Management under its “Travel and Beyond” program.
Masrina Mohd Bakri, Director for Tourism Malaysia and Cultural Attache with the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines, said that aside from culture, food, and sites, Cebuanos can also capitalize on their “home stay” program allowing tourists to merge with the Malaysian culture in farms and coastal villages, among other sites.
Zakaria Mohd Nani head of the Tourism Board Malaysia and Deputy Director for International Marketing Division (South East Asia) said that over the years, Filipino tourist arrivals to Malaysia have increased, he told reporters during the launch of said facility. In 2010 alone, a total of 486,790 Filipinos visited Malaysia, which is about a nine percent improvement compared to figures recorded in 2009.
The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board recently opened its one-month customer assistance stall facility at the Ayala Center Cebu, in partnership with budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB). The move is intended to increase Filipino tourists going to Malaysia this year.
The Cebu consumer promotion facility dubbed “Suroy-Suroy sa Malaysia Bai” hopes to encourage more Cebuanos to visit this exciting and leading tourist destination in the ASEAN. Special tour packages with airfares, hotel accommodations, and tours are made available.
The travel display is being organized by Ayala Center Cebu and Selrahco Management under its “Travel and Beyond” program.
Masrina Mohd Bakri, Director for Tourism Malaysia and Cultural Attache with the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines, said that aside from culture, food, and sites, Cebuanos can also capitalize on their “home stay” program allowing tourists to merge with the Malaysian culture in farms and coastal villages, among other sites.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
OPEN SKY POLICY WITH JAPAN
Following a meeting with the Japanese Transport Ministry, it was announced on Friday that an arrangement has been reached to allow airlines to freely decide on the number of flights and routes they operate between the Narita International Airport in Tokyo and Malaysia from the summer of 2013.
Malaysia will then intensify efforts to promote the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah as its second aviation hub, especially after Japan agreed to open skies arrangement with the country.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said more flights to and from Tokyo to Malaysia through Kota Kinabalu were expected as many Japanese wanted to visit Sabah.
"We are currently working towards promoting Kota Kinabalu as a second hub. By this arrangement, it will allow more flights and airlines from Malaysia flying to Tokyo, and this is good for air travelling between the two countries," he said.
Kong said that his officials met with counterparts from Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry here last Wednesday to finalise the arrangement.
This will take place when the maximum quota of landings and take-offs at Narita are raised to 270,000 per year.
Kong said that with the arrangement, Malaysian carriers would also be able to fly more frequently to Narita, if slots for landings and departures at the airport increased gradually before summer of 2013.
Earlier, the two countries agreed on air service liberalisation, except services in Narita due to the airport�s lack of available slots for landings and departures.
Currently, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has daily flights to Narita from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while Air Asia X operates three times a week to Haneda.
Last year, MAS announced that it was making Kota Kinabalu as its eastern hub to tap into major international destinations from the Far East to Australia, with development over three stages, beginning Nov 15, last year to June 3, this year.
Malaysia will then intensify efforts to promote the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah as its second aviation hub, especially after Japan agreed to open skies arrangement with the country.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said more flights to and from Tokyo to Malaysia through Kota Kinabalu were expected as many Japanese wanted to visit Sabah.
"We are currently working towards promoting Kota Kinabalu as a second hub. By this arrangement, it will allow more flights and airlines from Malaysia flying to Tokyo, and this is good for air travelling between the two countries," he said.
Kong said that his officials met with counterparts from Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry here last Wednesday to finalise the arrangement.
This will take place when the maximum quota of landings and take-offs at Narita are raised to 270,000 per year.
Kong said that with the arrangement, Malaysian carriers would also be able to fly more frequently to Narita, if slots for landings and departures at the airport increased gradually before summer of 2013.
Earlier, the two countries agreed on air service liberalisation, except services in Narita due to the airport�s lack of available slots for landings and departures.
Currently, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has daily flights to Narita from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while Air Asia X operates three times a week to Haneda.
Last year, MAS announced that it was making Kota Kinabalu as its eastern hub to tap into major international destinations from the Far East to Australia, with development over three stages, beginning Nov 15, last year to June 3, this year.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
FORMULA ONE RACES
Malaysia will host the second leg of this year's Formula One calendar on April 10 after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for March 13 was cancelled due to the deadly political unrest in the Gulf state.
So far demand for the 13th Malaysian Grand Prix has been disappointing, and well short of the targetted average of 33,000 a day over the three-day event.
"In November we began our promotion. We have sold 6,000 tickets to foreigners. However the domestic market is yet to pick up," said Razlan Razali, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit.
Malaysia's Sepang Formula One event is losing traction, according to the circuit's boss who admitted the shabby stadium and tropical temperatures have caused ticket sales to plunge.
The Malaysian event has also been outshone by neighbouring Singapore, which offers not just adrenaline-packed night racing on a street circuit, but teams it with live entertainment by big-name performancers like Beyonce.
Malaysians increasingly preferred to watch the race on television rather than brave the afternoon heat.
"It has lost its lustre," Razlan said."Having Singapore next to us for F1 does not help and our biggest competitor is the television as many people prefer to watch the race from the comfort of their homes."
Despite ticket prices going for as low as $19, the cheapest on the F1 circuit, the 13-year-old Sepang event which has a daily capacity of 130,000 has not been pulling in the crowds.
Razlan said that last year just 97,000 people were drawn to the circuit over three days. In 2009 there were 126,000 while 2006 recorded the biggest crowd with 140,000 over three days.
The circuit boss admitted that Sepang is a "tired-looking" venue in urgent need of rejuvenation.
But he said he has received no reply after petitioning the government to fund a major overhaul at a cost of 180 million ringgit (596 million dollars).
Sepang's soaring roof, inspired by the hibiscus which is Malaysia's national flower, need to be replaced as the grandstand canopy has exceeded its lifespan and cannot cope with Malaysia's tropical downpours.
"When it rains, it leaks. People are not happy. The circuit was built in a record time but unfortuntely there were shortcuts and poor maintainance," he said.
The sport's ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone proclaimed Singapore as the "jewel in F1's crown" when the city-state hosted its first night race in 2008.
But in crushing comments for Malaysia, he likened Sepang to "an old house that needs a bit of redecorating."
"It's starting to get a little shabby and looks a bit tired. There is rubbish all over the place and it's not really a good sign for Malaysia," Ecclestone said at the time.
Razlan, who took over shortly after Ecclestone aired his criticism, said that to counter the decline, Sepang should stage a night race before its rights to host F1 expire in 2015.
"We should do one night race before we extend the 2015 contract. Maybe this will attract a bigger crowd as the weather at night will be cool," the 38-year-old said.
Other Asia-Pacific countries that host Formula One races are Australia, China and South Korea. India holds its first race this year.
But Razlan said that despite its shortcomings, the Malaysian event has a strong impact on the national tourism industry as it is beamed live across the globe, providing priceless publicity.
"(Financially) it is a loss-making event but the economic impact to the country is great," he said.
So far demand for the 13th Malaysian Grand Prix has been disappointing, and well short of the targetted average of 33,000 a day over the three-day event.
"In November we began our promotion. We have sold 6,000 tickets to foreigners. However the domestic market is yet to pick up," said Razlan Razali, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit.
Malaysia's Sepang Formula One event is losing traction, according to the circuit's boss who admitted the shabby stadium and tropical temperatures have caused ticket sales to plunge.
The Malaysian event has also been outshone by neighbouring Singapore, which offers not just adrenaline-packed night racing on a street circuit, but teams it with live entertainment by big-name performancers like Beyonce.
Malaysians increasingly preferred to watch the race on television rather than brave the afternoon heat.
"It has lost its lustre," Razlan said."Having Singapore next to us for F1 does not help and our biggest competitor is the television as many people prefer to watch the race from the comfort of their homes."
Despite ticket prices going for as low as $19, the cheapest on the F1 circuit, the 13-year-old Sepang event which has a daily capacity of 130,000 has not been pulling in the crowds.
Razlan said that last year just 97,000 people were drawn to the circuit over three days. In 2009 there were 126,000 while 2006 recorded the biggest crowd with 140,000 over three days.
The circuit boss admitted that Sepang is a "tired-looking" venue in urgent need of rejuvenation.
But he said he has received no reply after petitioning the government to fund a major overhaul at a cost of 180 million ringgit (596 million dollars).
Sepang's soaring roof, inspired by the hibiscus which is Malaysia's national flower, need to be replaced as the grandstand canopy has exceeded its lifespan and cannot cope with Malaysia's tropical downpours.
"When it rains, it leaks. People are not happy. The circuit was built in a record time but unfortuntely there were shortcuts and poor maintainance," he said.
The sport's ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone proclaimed Singapore as the "jewel in F1's crown" when the city-state hosted its first night race in 2008.
But in crushing comments for Malaysia, he likened Sepang to "an old house that needs a bit of redecorating."
"It's starting to get a little shabby and looks a bit tired. There is rubbish all over the place and it's not really a good sign for Malaysia," Ecclestone said at the time.
Razlan, who took over shortly after Ecclestone aired his criticism, said that to counter the decline, Sepang should stage a night race before its rights to host F1 expire in 2015.
"We should do one night race before we extend the 2015 contract. Maybe this will attract a bigger crowd as the weather at night will be cool," the 38-year-old said.
Other Asia-Pacific countries that host Formula One races are Australia, China and South Korea. India holds its first race this year.
But Razlan said that despite its shortcomings, the Malaysian event has a strong impact on the national tourism industry as it is beamed live across the globe, providing priceless publicity.
"(Financially) it is a loss-making event but the economic impact to the country is great," he said.
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