About 40 representatives from various tourism NGOs were assembled at the SPAD headquarters at One Sentral yesterday morning to take part in a dailogue with Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, Chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and several senior officials.
In his opening speech Tan Sri Syed Hamid welcomed the move by the Malaysia Tourism Federation to be engaged in a continuous dailogue with SPAD and this he hoped will be carried out on a sustainable basis in order that we can further improve the land transport system in the country. SPAD doors will be opened to any suggestion to improve the public transport system and encourage the use of them by the general public.
He added that all license holders of public service vehicles, goods vehicles and tourism vehicles are required to re-register with the Land Public Transport Commission between 1st April and 30 September 2011. The re-registration is a requirement as stipulated in the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Amendment Act 2010. The ultimate objective of the re-registration is to regulate the industry to improve the land public transport in Malaysia for the benefit of the Rakyat.
With this exercise, the Commission will be able to identify the current status of licensees. This will help the Commission take action against inactive and problematic licensees. The re-registration exercise is applicable to license holders within the Malaysian Peninsular only.
Failure of licensees to re-register will result in the revocation of the license. All licensees are advised to re-register as soon as possible so that all licenses can be processed within the stipulated time.
Any enquiries pertaining to this matter and any other enquiries can made to the toll free line of SPAD at 1800-88-9600 or the official website www.spad.gov.my
NGO representatives raised a wide ranging issues on licensing matters during the 2 hour session and they were extremely happy with the answers given by SPAD.
Dato Setia Dr Joshua Tan, President of MTF in his opening remarks thanked Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar for having spent the entire morning with members of the industry to discuss various issues relating to tourism land transport matters and said this augurs well for the future of the industry. MTF he said will continue to support any move by SPAD to imporve the public transport system of the country.
NO LIES... JUST THE FACTS!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
APPRECIATION OF THE RINGGIT
The appreciation of the ringgit against the US dollar will not deter tourists from spending in Malaysia as there are an abundance of attractively priced duty-free goods and services worth buying, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
She said in other countries which are also experiencing strong currency rates like Australia, they are still enjoying a good spending pattern.
"In 2010, Australians were the highest spenders using MasterCard for shopping, followed by countries like Singapore, Indonesia, United States of America and the United Kingdom," she told reporters after opening the Chistofle Haute Orfevre exhibition here, Wednesday.
The ringgit continued its upward momentum today against the greenback to close at 2.97.
The stronger ringgit was in line with Asian currencies continuing speculation that the central banks in the region would raise interest rates to ease inflation.
Ng said the shopping revenue for Malaysia was about RM16.2 billion in receipt last year, a 7.3 percent increase compared with RM15.1 billion in 2009.
Commenting on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Malaysia, Ng said it would strengthen bilateral investments and tourism between both countries.
"It is very significant to reflect the close relationship between China and Malaysia. I believe from here, bilateral investments and tourism will definitely grow," she said.
She said in other countries which are also experiencing strong currency rates like Australia, they are still enjoying a good spending pattern.
"In 2010, Australians were the highest spenders using MasterCard for shopping, followed by countries like Singapore, Indonesia, United States of America and the United Kingdom," she told reporters after opening the Chistofle Haute Orfevre exhibition here, Wednesday.
The ringgit continued its upward momentum today against the greenback to close at 2.97.
The stronger ringgit was in line with Asian currencies continuing speculation that the central banks in the region would raise interest rates to ease inflation.
Ng said the shopping revenue for Malaysia was about RM16.2 billion in receipt last year, a 7.3 percent increase compared with RM15.1 billion in 2009.
Commenting on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Malaysia, Ng said it would strengthen bilateral investments and tourism between both countries.
"It is very significant to reflect the close relationship between China and Malaysia. I believe from here, bilateral investments and tourism will definitely grow," she said.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
NEW TOURISM ATTRACTION
The Johor tourism sector will be given a boost over the next two years with the opening of the Johor Premium Outlet in Indahpura, near Kulaijaya, in November and Legoland in Nusajaya next year.
State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, Hoo Seong Chang, said the shopping mall and the theme park would be the latest tourist attractions to Johor.
"The Johor Premium Outlet will be ready in September and will house 100 shops with 85 brands. So this year, will be a good year to promote Johor," he told reporters after chairing the state tourism committee meeting here Monday.
Hoo said that Johor recorded 1.6 million tourist arrival last year, from 1.5 million in 2009.
As of March this year, a total of 3.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded in the state, he added.
In another development, Hoo said the state government would set up an information tourist centre in Batu Pahat and Segamat to make it easier for tourists to obtain information, including places of interests, in both the districts.
"The setting up of this centre is crucial to promote places of interests in the affected districts," he added.
He said efforts were also being made to promote the food stalls and restaurants in the state.
State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, Hoo Seong Chang, said the shopping mall and the theme park would be the latest tourist attractions to Johor.
"The Johor Premium Outlet will be ready in September and will house 100 shops with 85 brands. So this year, will be a good year to promote Johor," he told reporters after chairing the state tourism committee meeting here Monday.
Hoo said that Johor recorded 1.6 million tourist arrival last year, from 1.5 million in 2009.
As of March this year, a total of 3.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded in the state, he added.
In another development, Hoo said the state government would set up an information tourist centre in Batu Pahat and Segamat to make it easier for tourists to obtain information, including places of interests, in both the districts.
"The setting up of this centre is crucial to promote places of interests in the affected districts," he added.
He said efforts were also being made to promote the food stalls and restaurants in the state.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
VIRTUAL TRAVEL FAIR
IF YOU missed out on all the recent travel fairs, don’t fret. The Star Online’s information and travel portal allMalaysia.info, in collaboration with Creative Advances Technology, is organising the Virtual Travel Fair (VTF), from today to 30 for all travel bargain hunters.
The fair offers over 2,000 attractive and competitively-priced travel packages, as well as a host of spot prizes for online purchasers.
According to Creative Advances Technology CEO Rohizam Yusoff, the fair is designed for online consumers.
“This online fair combines choice and value with convenience and security, and it is sure to capture the imagination of travellers,” he said.
Among the bargains that will be on offer are packages to Bali, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Buyers will only need to add RM10 for every additional second purchase of these packages.
Consumers paying via PayPal will receive a US$20 (RM60) rebate when making purchases valued at more than US$200 (RM600). Maybank credit card holders could also be in the money with five RM1,000 cash prizes up for grabs in a slogan competition.
In addition, every 50th transaction completed successfully wins an iPod and the 1,000th customer takes home an iPad 2.
To see what’s on offer at the Virtual Travel Fair visit http://allmalaysia.info/virtualtravelfair/.
The fair offers over 2,000 attractive and competitively-priced travel packages, as well as a host of spot prizes for online purchasers.
According to Creative Advances Technology CEO Rohizam Yusoff, the fair is designed for online consumers.
“This online fair combines choice and value with convenience and security, and it is sure to capture the imagination of travellers,” he said.
Among the bargains that will be on offer are packages to Bali, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Buyers will only need to add RM10 for every additional second purchase of these packages.
Consumers paying via PayPal will receive a US$20 (RM60) rebate when making purchases valued at more than US$200 (RM600). Maybank credit card holders could also be in the money with five RM1,000 cash prizes up for grabs in a slogan competition.
In addition, every 50th transaction completed successfully wins an iPod and the 1,000th customer takes home an iPad 2.
To see what’s on offer at the Virtual Travel Fair visit http://allmalaysia.info/virtualtravelfair/.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
ALL THE FUSS OVER NOTHING
All the 10 National Service (NS) training camps in Perak have ceased doing the "poco-poco" exercise in adherence to the edict of the Perak Fatwa Committee banning the line dance.
NS Training Department Director-General Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said today the 4,000 trainees of these camps were now doing another exercise routine.
There was no restriction on the dance being performed at the NS camps in the other states, he told reporters here.
The Perak Fatwa Committee chaired by Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria banned the line dance in the state after its research showed that the dance contained elements contrary to Islam.
The National Fatwa Council decided, however, that Muslims in the other states can continue doing the dance as long as they do not do anything contrary to Islam.
When Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen became Tourism Minister she introduced the " poco-poco " at a MATTA Annual Dinner at PWTC by actually leading the dance on stage. Those with her had a great time. But the idea of making it a tourism highlight never took off. Just like putting your palm on your chest when greeting tourists.
Some things just do not have a tourism value, but what is there to stop anyone from doing it just for the fun if it. Why all the fuss?
NS Training Department Director-General Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said today the 4,000 trainees of these camps were now doing another exercise routine.
There was no restriction on the dance being performed at the NS camps in the other states, he told reporters here.
The Perak Fatwa Committee chaired by Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria banned the line dance in the state after its research showed that the dance contained elements contrary to Islam.
The National Fatwa Council decided, however, that Muslims in the other states can continue doing the dance as long as they do not do anything contrary to Islam.
When Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen became Tourism Minister she introduced the " poco-poco " at a MATTA Annual Dinner at PWTC by actually leading the dance on stage. Those with her had a great time. But the idea of making it a tourism highlight never took off. Just like putting your palm on your chest when greeting tourists.
Some things just do not have a tourism value, but what is there to stop anyone from doing it just for the fun if it. Why all the fuss?
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