Tag: malaysia tourism

Wary of recurring coronavirus waves, Malaysia may keep its borders closed to international tourists until the second quarter of next year, the minister responsible for the travel sector said in an interview with Nikkei Asian Review. Nancy Shukri, the minister of tourism, arts and culture, said the government is now re-drafting a “green” list of countries deemed safe from the virus, as a first step. “We initially had a list of countries to be allowed in, but then we saw the second and third waves of coronavirus in some of these countries,” she told the Nikkei Asian Review. “So, we ... Read more

With the coronavirus pandemic dealing a severe blow to Malaysia’s tourism sector and domestic travellers unable to revive the industry, the country’s tourism ministry has welcomed the government’s decision to launch travel “green zones” for foreigners, says a report by Arab News. “We’ve always been consistent in our approach of asking the government to review international borders,” Tan Kok Liang, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), told Arab News, adding that the green zones are “most welcome.” Domestic travel, despite several efforts taken by MATTA, is not enough to “regenerate sustainable revenues streams” for the ... Read more

For people stuck on either side of the Causeway, the possible resumption of cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia is cause for optimism, says a Straits Times report. The authorities of both countries agreed last week to restart cross-border travel for essential business and official travellers and long-term pass holders through two schemes: the reciprocal green lane and the periodic commuting arrangement. Though more details will be announced before these new travel schemes take effect on August 10, travellers will have to get swabbed for Covid-19 and submit their itineraries to the relevant authorities, the report says. Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein ... Read more

The two-day Malaysia Virtual Travel Expo 2020 starting from August 22 could help boost the country’s domestic tourism, said Tourism Malaysia Domestic and Events Division senior director Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar. According to an Edge Prop report, Ammar said the online expo using the e-commerce platform is targeting RM1.2 million in returns to benefit the 640,000 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. “It is designed so that they (entrepreneurs) will not be left behind when it comes to reaching out to potential customers and to conduct their business as usual,” he said during a press conference at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATiC). He also hoped that all states would ... Read more

Various tourism associations in Malaysia are hoping that Putrajaya will reach an agreement with neighbouring Singapore and Brunei allowing unrestricted travel between the countries in order to boost local tourism, according to a report by Free Malaysia Today. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Tan Kok Liang said domestic tourism alone was not enough to sustain the industry, and that opening the border with Singapore could help boost business. “Singapore is the top market for arrivals to Malaysia. We can start with business travel and move into leisure travel,” he told Free Malaysia Today (FMT), pointing out ... Read more

Losses suffered by Malaysia’s tourism sector has amounted to around RM45 billion, during the first half of this year. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said tourism is one of the economic sectors hit the hardest by coronavirus, and is expected to be the last to recover. To fight the issue and to assist local tourism stakeholders, Nancy said a grant known as Galakan Melancong Malaysia (GAMELAN) will be extended, primarily for domestic promotion and marketing activities. “The ministry has also introduced a Special Fund for Tourism or SFT that supports the development of small and medium ... Read more

Malaysia has decided to ban all tourists and foreign visitors from March 18-31. Those passengers returning from overseas destinations must undergo health screening and self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Malaysia is expecting that its participation in the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin from March 6-10 will help it reach the target of attracting 30 million tourists by 2020. “I believe Malaysia’s cultural uniqueness is a big draw for the European market,” said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Mohamaddin Ketapi, highlighting the increase in the number of renowned hotel property brands opening in Malaysia. “Several established hotel brands have ventured into Malaysia for the first time recently, while some of them are poised to enter the market in the near future. We are pleased that brands such as Double Tree, Hilton, ... Read more

Floating Market in Pengkalan Tok Kuning, is the new tourist attraction in the state of Perils, Malaysia, by offering experience like traveling abroad. The innovative concept was implemented by the Perlis Fishing and Recreation Club to offer a unique travel and shopping experience to the visitors. The floating market is located about 5 Km from Kangar Town. It will give visitors the opportunity to buy food stuff and other items sold from boats. “The market will operate consistently every two weeks on Sundays from 5 pm to 10 pm accompanied by about 50 fishing boats,” said Mohammed Noor Hashim, Chairman ... Read more

The current mosque, located across the street only has a capacity for 600 worshippers. The new mosque will be able to accommodate 1,600 persons and under the second phase later, we plan to have an area for solemnization ceremony. The project contractor is currently working at the decoration works in order to complete the project before September 16. The design inspiration had been taken from mosques in Turkey which has unique dome and minaret features. “Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has stated that the mosque will be another significant landmark along the Sarawak river and the old Kuching bazaar ... Read more

The controversial logo The Visit Malaysia 2020 logo that was highly criticised by many when it was first introduced back in January by then Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, is all set to get a replacement. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is planning a contest to find its replacement. The logo, modelled after a postage stamp, features the Petronas Twin Towers, and an orang utan hugging a proboscis monkey and turtle on a beach donning sunglasses and bears the tagline: Travel. Enjoy. Respect. The tourism minister described the logo saying that it should look fun and colourful and the various symbols ... Read more

Tourism Malaysia, on a mission towards their tourist’s safety, had launched their latest mobile application named My Tourist Assist’ (MyTA). The app is available for both Android and ios devices. “The app is designed by digital technology company, Jana Tiga Holdings and it can work even without an internet connection,” said Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Tourism Malaysia director-general. “This app allows tourists to get assistance from the authorities in case of an emergency situation, whereby an emergency or SOS button will connect the user directly to the authorities,” added Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab. The app also features a news ... Read more

Visit Malaysia Year 2020 promotion campaign was officially launched in conjunction with ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 promotion campaign for the first time at the ASEAN Tourism Forum. He also took the opportunity to unveil the official logo of Visit Malaysia 2020, a colourful portrayal of Malaysia’s treasured flora and fauna. The event was held during a business lunch hosted for international tourism trade buyers and media attending the forum at the Chiang Mai International Convention Centre (CMECC). “These next ... Read more

The ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) have agreed on concrete initiatives to further expand tourism facilities and infrastructure by focusing on attracting investments to the regional grouping. Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the agreement reached by the NTOs was definitely the right direction for ASEAN as it is headed to the future. “With the ASEAN family now consisting of over 600 million people, we need to enhance our collaboration to achieve economic stability,” he said. In line with this collaboration, Malaysia would co-organise the first ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Investment Seminar in association with the ... Read more