14 Sept 2006
SHANGRILA HOTELS & RESORTS SUPPORT VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007

Malaysian born tycoon, Robert Kuok Hock Nien, 83, the owner of the ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts, has affirmed his full support for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 in a meeting with the Hon. Datuk Ir. Donald Lim, Deputy Minister of Tourism, in Hong Kong. Kuok announced before a visiting delegation of Malaysian journalists at the Island ShangriLa Hong Kong that his international chain of 47 hotels will help promote VMY 2007. "My operations worldwide will give support and we will do our maximum to support Visit Malaysia Year," he said.

This move by a major travel industry player will enhance the pre publicity leading up to the grand launch of VMY 2007 on 1st January 2007.

While thanking Kuok for his strong support, the Deputy Minister of Tourism expressed the hope that more Malaysian companies will also come forward and boost the ongoing VMY 2007 campaign.

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11 Sept 2006
VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA

The Honourable Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia, is heading the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 campaign roadshow to Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia from 13 to 15 September 2006 to promote Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination.

The Malaysian delegation comprises the newly appointed Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, officials from Tourism Malaysia and media representatives.

The VMY 2007 campaign roadshow in Russia aims to renew Malaysia's commitment and support for the Russian outbound travel industry in their efforts to promote Malaysia. It will keep Russian travel agents abreast of recent tourism developments in Malaysia and establish a wider network of contacts in the Russian tourism industry. Activities during the VMY 2007 roadshow in Moscow and St.Petersburg include press conferences, media interviews and gala dinners to launch VMY 2007 campaign. The delegation will also meet with major wholesalers and Malaysian tour operators in Russia.

Malaysia has recorded a total of 7,243 tourist arrivals from Russia for the month from January to May 2006 compared to only 4,114 tourist arrivals for the same period in 2005, thus representing a tremendous increase of 76%. Tourist arrivals from Russia in 2005 totalled at 8,386, a 26.5% increase from 6,627 arrivals in 2004.

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11 Sept 2006
VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 CAMPAIGN IN VIETNAM

The Honourable Datuk Ir. Donald Lim, Deputy Minister of Tourism, heads the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 campaign road show to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 10 to 12 September 2006 to promote Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination.

The Malaysian delegation comprises senior officials from Tourism Malaysia, members of the Malaysia Vietnam Friendship Association, cultural performers, fashion show models, batik demonstrators and media representatives. They will be at the mini travel mart and Malaysia fair held in Ho Chi Minh City.

The delegation will meet with major wholesalers and Malaysian tour operators in Vietnam to keep them abreast of recent tourism developments in Malaysia. They hope to establish a wider network of contacts in the Vietnamese tourism industry.

The VMY 2007 campaign road show in Ho Chi Minh City aims to renew Malaysia's commitment and support for the Vietnamese outbound travel industry in their efforts to promote Malaysia.

Other activities lined up include press conferences, media interviews and hosted receptions to highlight the VMY 2007 campaign.

Malaysia has recorded 6,010 tourist arrivals from Vietnam for the month of June 2006 compared to only 4,083 tourist arrivals for the same period in 2005. This shows an increase of 47.2 per cent.

During the first half of the year from January to June 2006, Malaysia has received 30,698 visitors from Vietnam compared to only 23,614 tourist arrivals for the corresponding period in 2005. This is an increase of 30 per cent, according to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

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11 Sept 2006
VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 CAMPAIGN AT PATA TRAVEL MART 2006

The Honourable Datuk Ir. Donald Lim, Deputy Minister of Tourism, heads the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 campaign roadshow to PATA Travel Mart held in Hong Kong from 12 to 15 September 2006 to promote Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination.

The Malaysian delegation comprises senior officials from Tourism Malaysia, leading Malaysian tourism players and media representatives. They will meet with major worldwide wholesalers and tour operators at the PATA Travel Mart 2006 in Hong Kong to establish a wider network of contacts in the tourism industry.

The VMY 2007 campaign roadshow aims to renew Malaysia's commitment and support for the U.S., Canadian, European, West Asia, African and Asia Pacific outbound travel industry in their efforts to promote Malaysia. The foreign travel agents and international media will be kept abreast of recent tourism developments in Malaysia.

Activities during the VMY 2007 roadshow in Hong Kong include press conferences, media interviews and hosted receptions to highlight the VMY 2007 campaign.

PTM 2006 is an excellent opportunity for Malaysia to showcase its diverse attractions, facilities and multiethnic cultures, festivals and traditions to the world to over 1,000 professional travel trade delegates from 322 organizations and 53 countries.

Malaysia has recorded a total of 45,366 tourist arrivals from Hong Kong for the first half of the year from January to June 2006 compared to only 33,712 tourist arrivals for the same period in 2005.

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30 Aug 2006
MALAYSIA OBSERVES 49 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE NATIONWIDE

Throughout August, Malaysians come out in full force to celebrate Independence Day. Many display the national flag on vehicles, buildings and homes as a symbol of pride and love for the country.

It is another big and elaborate Merdeka (Independence) commemoration as Malaysia celebrates 49 years of independence in 2006.

This year's Merdeka Celebration kicked off with the Raise the Jalur Gemilang Flag Campaign on 17 August in Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The campaign has sparked off a series of festive events throughout the nation before its eventual closing a month later on 16 September 2006.

The national level Independence Countdown (Ambang Merdeka) at the Kuching River Waterfront in Sarawak from 5pm to 2am midnight on 30 August includes a concert by popular artistes and cultural performances.

The evening's climax is the premidnight arrival of the Merdeka convoy of motorcycles that set off from Kuala Terengganu on 17 August earlier. Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will receive the Malaysian flag from the convoy's leader. The highlight of the Merdeka eve celebration is a spectacular fireworks display to light up the skies of Kuching.

Merdeka eve will also be celebrated in a joyous mood throughout the country. The Malaysian flag will be raised ceremoniously as the clock strikes midnight to announce the commencement of 31 August and Independence Day. The spirit of the moment will be captured in the singing of patriotic songs such as Negaraku, Jalur Gemilang and Keranamu Malaysia.

This annual display of patriotism is incomplete without the pomp and splendour of a traditional procession. On Independence Day itself, the national day parade will take place in at Padang Merdeka (Independence Field) in Kuching at 8am in the presence of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia. The main VVIPs gracing the occasion are the Malaysian premier and cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors and other dignitaries.

Among the 15,000 participants in the march past are members of the armed forces, uniformed bodies, government departments, agencies and corporate bodies. Three helicopters will fly overhead as the national flag is raised accompanied by the national anthem and cannon blasts.

The colourful parade comprises 44 armed forces contingents, 22 marching bands, 17 floats, 15 military vehicles and air force jets flying overhead. All the organized activities throughout the country reflect the national spirit of patriotism, unity in diversity, progress and prosperity.

As with previous national day celebrations, the main theme is Keranamu Malaysia (Because of You Malaysia). But the specific overall theme for 2006 will be "Ninth Malaysia Plan Enriches the People" to remind the people that socioeconomic development is for the betterment of everyone in the nation.

For Visit Malaysia Year in 2007, Malaysia has lined up a nonstop series of nationwide activities as it celebrates the 50 th anniversary of national independence. The monthly calendar of events combines a mix of sporting, cultural and shopping happenings.

On 31 August next year, Malaysia will stage the largest ever celebration of its independence day. Remember to come and join in the golden jubilee birthday party of Malaysia's nationhood.

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30 Aug 2006
MERDEKA 2006 CELEBRATIONS

This 31 August 2006 marks the 49th anniversary of Malaysia's national independence (Merdeka).Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, while being reminded of their country's strunggle for independence, development and growth.

This national event helps to educate the Malaysian public, especially the younger generation, about the importance of racial tolerance, unity and cooperation so that the country can continue to enjoy prosperity, development and harmony.

The official launch of Bulan Kemerdekaan (Independence Month) and Raise the Jalur Gemilang Campaign on 17 August, 8pm, at Kuala Terengganu kicked off the monthlong celebration of the event which lasts till 16 September.

In conjunction with the event, 50 divers painted the Malaysian flag underwater on 16 August at the marine park of Pulau Kapas offshore from Merang in Terengganu.

This year, the state of Sarawak is hosting Ambang Merdeka (Merdeka Eve) 2004 on 30 August along the waterfront and banks of the Sarawak River in Kuching. The night event will be marked by procession of river floats and lively performances by leading recording artistes on a floating stage on the river.

On Independence Day 2006, the focus is on Merdeka field in Kuching as the national day parade will be held there in the morning of 31 August.

For most people unable to be present at the national level celebration in Kuching, live TV coverage will bring the event into their living rooms at home.

Meanwhile, state level processions with a strong local flavour will be held simultaneously at all state capitals and districts nationwide. The Merdeka festivities will also be observed in many different locations such as shopping complexes, parks, hotels, highways, schools and even factories throughout the country.

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30 Aug 2006
KLIA LIMOUSINES AND TAXIS PUBLICISE VMY 2007

The Honourable Dato' Ir. Donald Lim Siang Chai, Deputy Minister of Tourism, unveiled the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 logo on limousines and taxis before flagging them off from the domestic arrival hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang today.

In the latest activity carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with its industry partners, KLIA Limo operators have joined in the campaign by displaying the VMY 2007 logo on their vehicles to create awareness among domestic and foreign travelers.

Beginning today, KLIA limousines and taxis comprising a total of 170 minivans and 30 Mercedes Benz limousines will publicise VMY 2007. Also present at today's launch were senior officials from Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Malaysia and captains of the Malaysian travel trade industry.

In his speech, the Hon. Deputy Minister remarked that the launch of the VMY logo on KLIA limousines and taxis today is another effort to ensure that the campaign's message reaches all tourists who arrive at KLIA. "Tourism is a people-pleasing business. This industry depends quite a great deal on human relations and contact. Tourists always remember their travel experiences for a lifetime and whatever the experience, these memories will be forever in their minds. Hence, it is vital for those in the tourism industry to make a pleasant impression on our visitors.

Nothing impresses tourists more than a broad friendly smile. The thought of feeling welcomed the moment they step into the airport and as they pass through immigration and customs checkpoints and catch the taxi makes a lot of difference. A friendly smile and simple courtesy goes a long way in impressing our visitors."

The VMY 2007 campaign is in line with the government's efforts to make Malaysia a top-of-the-mind tourist destination. Various exciting promotions and marketing strategies are being continuously carried out to achieve this objective.

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23 Aug 2006
MAY 2006 ARRIVALS RISE 3.1%

Tourist arrivals to Malaysia for the month of May this year totalled 1.39 million visitors. This represents a 3.1% increase compared to the same month last year.

Cumulatively, tourist arrivals recorded from January to May 2006 stands at 7,195,570 compared to 6,828,747 for the same period in 2005, representing an increase of 5.4%.

The year 2006 began on a positive note for the tourism industry. In January, tourist arrivals to Malaysia registered 1.45 million visitors followed by 1.38 million visitors in February, 1.54 million visitors in March and 1.42 million visitors in April. This shows a positive trend of over one million visitors per month.

For the month of May 2006, double digit growth was recorded for arrivals from Russia (70.7%), Italy (57.1%), Indonesia (54.2%), West Asia (42%), South Africa (35.9%), Germany (33%), France (28.3%), India (24.6%), Scandinavia (19.3%), Brunei (18%), Thailand (16.3%), United Kingdom (13.9%), Taiwan (13.1%) and Canada (10%).

The top ten tourist generating markets until May 2006 were Singapore (3,982,981), Thailand (910,472), Indonesia (456,353), Brunei (238,750), China (162,046), Japan (141,018), Australia (114,840), United Kingdom (113,285), India (110,261) and South Korea (75,203).

[Source from Tourism Malaysia]

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