Malaysia hones in on niche tourism experiences
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Malaysia is honing in on the niche tourism experiences the Asian destination can offer international travellers.
The biggest promotional push is for eco-tourism, with destinations including Malaysian Borneo setting the country apart from its Asian neighbours, according to YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, who at World Travel Market (WTM) in London, told Travel Daily that Sabah’s unique wildlife was proving a draw card for European tourists in particular.
“This year we can see a definite increase in the number of visitors travelling [to Sabah] from the UK, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands,” he said. “They all want to see our monkeys.”
Meanwhile, the Middle East market is attracted to Malaysia’s world-class “Islamic tourism offering”, according to Abdul Aziz.
“This market is definitely increasing, particularly during Ramadan and Eid when we see Middle East travellers staying in Malaysia,” he said.
“Malaysia is the leading halal tourism destination and our hotels offer Muslim guests all that they require, including halal food and iftar (the meal to break their fast during Ramadan).”
Another strong focus for Malaysia is its homestay offering – an immersive cultural experience that appeals to travellers seeking authenticity and true local insight.
“Homestay experiences are in demand due to the rise of concepts like airbnb,” said Abdul Aziz. “Our homestay programme allows visitors to stay with local people, often in rural areas, and is growing in popularity.”
At this year’s WTM the Malaysian delegation also discussed forthcoming transport links, new hotel openings, exciting upcoming events such as the Miri Country Music Festival, the World Kite Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as exciting airline partnership with Singapore Airlines to promote Singapore and Malaysia as a dual destination.
The new Singapore Airlines partnership provides visitors with more travel options than ever when travelling to Malaysia.
This partnership has been forged for several reasons; in order to increase tourism numbers to Malaysia, in order to promote Malaysia and Singapore as a twin centre destination and to celebrate 50 years of The Association of South-East Asian Nations.
The partnership between the two countries will also include training for agents and consumers as to Singapore and Malaysia as a dual destination in the future.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir offer excellent connections into Malaysia, serving Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
What’s new in Malaysia?
Hotels: A number of exciting hotel brands will open properties in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. These include the new Fairmont Kuala Lumpur, which is ideally located near to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the City Centre development. The 62-story luxury hotel has 750 rooms as well as an executive lounge. Also expected to open in 2017 is the Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, which will be the first opening in Malaysia for the brand. Featuring 298 guestrooms, a lavish restaurant, large meeting space, fitness centre, and a sky pool, there is plenty for guests to enjoy.
Hotels are opening beyond Kuala Lumpur too. Set to open in 2018 is the new 322 room Ramada hotel in Johor Bahru, the capital of the state of Johor. The property will be located less than a kilometre from Legoland Malaysia, a popular international family theme park. Featuring an on-site restaurant, state-of-the-art gymnasium, a fitness course, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and business centre, there is something for every type of traveller.
Bullet train: From 2017 travel will also be made easier, with the development of a new high-speed bullet train. Malaysia and Singapore have signed an agreement to build an ambitious high-speed rail link, which is set to be a first for South-East Asia. The 350-kilometre bullet-train line from the regional financial hub of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is expected to slash travel times to 90 minutes from the five or more hours that the journey currently takes by road. Construction will begin in 2017 and authorities hope to get the trains rolling by 2026.
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