Tag: United Nations

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Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA TO HOST WORLD TOURISM CONFERENCE 2013

Malaysia/Melaka To Host World Tourism Conference 2013

PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Tourism and Culture together with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the state government of Melaka will organise the World Tourism Conference 2013 (WTC 2013).

The three-day conference will be held at the Equatorial Hotel, Melaka, from Oct 21, the ministry said in a statement today.

It said the main objective of the WTC 2013 is to discuss and address current and relevant issues related to the tourism industry, where the key areas for discussion would be on innovative marketing and directions for tourism product development.

Themed,”Global Tourism: Game Changer and Pace Setters”, the conference is expected to bring together world leaders in tourism, high-level policymakers, specialists and experts from both the public and private sector to share experiences, while providing guidance for tourism development, the ministry said.

“Therefore, WTO 2013 should be attended by all travel and trade members in Malaysia, such as hoteliers, tourism officers, airlines and airport representatives, as well as tour operators among others, as they will get the opportunity to connect, share and learn during the event,” it added.

It said registration for the conference is now open and the public can visit http://www.wtc2013malaysia.com for more details.

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Cuisine in Melaka

UNESCO LISTING BOOSTS ARRIVALS

MELAKA- In 2008, UNESCO chose to register both cities of Melaka and Georgetown (State of Penang) into the World Heritage List. Both cities were seen as lively historical testimonies of 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca.

The UN agency for culture then acknowledged that few urban centres in Southeast Asia blended to intimately influences of Asia and Europe providing both towns with a specific multicultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka is a remarkable example of colonial architecture, which stretches back to the 15th-century Malay sultanate, continued with the Portuguese and Dutch presence from the early 16th century to finally become part of British Malaya before being part of the new independent Malaysia.

UNESCO then helped Melaka to preserve and renovate its blend of Chinese, European and Malay architectures as well as preserving its peculiar way of life. Over the last five years, old houses along the River have been renovated, some transformed into trendy cafes, eateries and hotels. In the evening special lighting effects turn also the city into an attractive night destination. 

Long considered as a sleepy outpost on the way from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Melaka is now reviving as tourists and domestic visitors rediscover the city since its UNESCO inception.

In 2011, Melaka recorded its highest number of visitors ever at 12.165 million. They generated tourism revenues of RM 7.06 billion (US$ 2.2 billion).

According to State Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Wira Latiff Tamby Chik, growth in tourist arrivals was 17.5 per cent higher than in 2010.

During the first four months of 2012, growth continued unabated. Melaka welcomed during that period 4.11 million, a further rise of 13.3 % over the same months of 2011. From this number, 2.92 million were domestic tourists while the rest were foreigners.

Foreign arrivals grow faster than the domestic ones (37.3% versus 5.8%). The State government now believes that Melaka will welcome over 12.5 million visitors by year end. 

According to report by the State Tourism Department, Melaka top five foreign country tourist arrivals were China with 222,999 tourists followed by Singapore (185,277), Indonesia (16890), Taiwan (108,128) and Hong Kong (57,241).

Most popular attractions to the area are museums (312,058 visitors) followed by the Malacca River Cruise (279,338 visitors), Malacca Zoo (176,943) and Menara Taming Sari (169,340). 

A popular program in Melaka for foreign travellers is homestays with local people. Melaka offers 7 homestay programs officially registered with the Tourism Ministry. They welcomed last year 25,109 visitors, of which 8,883 were foreign guests. 

Among the new initiatives launched towards for travellers is a new website called ‘Welcome to Melaka’. The site provides travellers with everything about Malaysia’s capital city of culture by sharing some of Melaka’s best addresses, providing also web-surfers with articles and even discounts to selected shops. 

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Tourism Malaysia

1Malaysia Year-end Sale 2011

1Malaysia Year-end Sale 2011

The fabulous 1Malaysia Year End Sale (1MYES) has just started!

It was kicked off officially with a special launch at the Bukit Bintang Dome in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, by Minister of Tourism, Malaysia,  Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, the 1MYES 2011 sale season starts from 15 November 2011 to 1 January 2012.

This year there will be a host of exciting events, promotions and great deals for shoppers nationwide.  Some of the activities lined- up include:

1MYES MY FAVOURITE MALL CONTEST

Apart from admiring the seasonal décor of the numerous malls, the public also has the opportunity to participate in the 1MYES Favourite Mall Contest to vote for their favourite mall. They can cast their vote at www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my from 21 Nov 2011 to 1 Jan 2012 and stand a chance to win attractive weekly prizes of travel vouchers. The most popular mall will win prizes too!

MASTERCARD PROMOTIONS AT 1MYES 2011

MasterCard continues to reward its cardholders with more privileges and benefits, from instant mall redemptions to priceless experiences, for the upcoming 1Malaysia Year End Sale 2011. With a minimum spend of RM250 on MasterCard branded cards, at participating malls nationwide, cardholders can get the opportunity to walk away with instant redemptions. Also up for grabs, in collaboration with Pavilion KL and Qatar Airways, is a trip to witness the upcoming Paris Fashion Week 2012, flying on Business Class.  Cardholders, with a minimum spend of RM500 at Subang Parade Shopping Centre; will be eligible to win a  4 days 3 nights stay at the Rasa Premier Suite at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort in Penang worth RM11, 500. Other than that, there are a total of 1,800 day passes to the Malaysia International Fashion Week to be redeemed at selected malls. With this, remember, there are some things money can’t buy, for everything else, there’s MasterCard.

THE JOHOR PREMIUM OUTLETS

Johor Premium Outlets (JPO), South-East Asia’s first Premium Outlet Centre, is set to open on 11 December this year with more than 80 stores.

This upscale outlet is strategically located at the intersection of the North-South Expressway and the Second Link Expressway in Johor. It is the 70th outlet centre in the Premium Outlet portfolio – one of the world’s largest collections of upscale centres.

UNITED BUDDY BEAR WORLD TOUR

For the first time in Southeast Asia, the United Buddy Bear art exhibition – comprising 148 life-size fibreglass bear sculptures originally developed in Berlin, Germany – will be exhibited at the Bukit Bintang Entrance of Pavilion KL. Each bear is hand-painted skilfully in a variety of unique designs and represent countries acknowledged by the United Nations, bringing a message of peace and tolerance.

 

YTL CONCERT OF CELEBRATION 2011 WITH JULIO IGLESIAS 1/12/11

Legendary crooner Julio Iglesias will be in Kuala Lumpur to entertain 1,800 specially invited guests. Log onto www.starhillgallery.com and answer a few simple questions to win free tickets, or watch the show online via the YES website. Patrons of Jalan Bukit Bintang are also able to enjoy the concert from surrounding buildings like Pavilion KL, Grand Millenium Hotel, Fahrenheit 88 etc.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC IS ON!

Malls will be decked in full festivity to usher in the Christmas celebrations. Look out for giant Christmas trees, carousels, Santa Claus, caroling performances and holiday shows.

 

NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN ON 31 DEC

Welcome the New Year with free concerts, live music deejays, hotel packages, gala dinners and a firework spectacular at Bukit Bintang and KLCC.

MORE GOODS TO CHOOSE FROM

Beginning 1 January 2011, the Malaysian government had waived import duties on more than 300 goods in an effort to enhance Malaysia’s position as a duty-free shopping destination. The tax is waived to attract a wider range of principal brands to invest in Malaysia and in doing so, add variety to the product choice on the market.

Head over to Malaysia for the biggest 1Malaysia Year-End Sale ever, and enjoy more bargains with every ringgit spent!

 

For more information, kindly contact the Shopping Malaysia Secretariat at:

Tel          :               603 8891 8000

Fax         :               603 88918548

E-mail    :               enq-megasales@tourism.gov.my

Website:              http://www.shopmalaysia.my

 

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Tourism Malaysia

Life Sdn Bhd 7: Refugees

October 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

How does it feel like to not be able to see your family or friends ever again? To be evicted from your own country even though no crime was committed? This is what it means to be a refugee. As defined by the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (UNCHR) of 1951, a refugee is defined as a person who ‘owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country‘. Some refugees live a normal and comfortable life in their new homes, others do not fare so well. One common thing that all refugees share is their love for their own country.

Life Sdn Bhd 7: Refugees

In collaboration with UNCHR, The Actors Studio presents Life Sdn Bhd 7: REFUGEES, the seventh Life Sdn Bhd series that has been receiving great response from the public. This series will feature seven courageous men and women from Myanmar, Somalia and Sri Lanka, who will share their honest and compelling stories of their lives as refugees in Malaysia. Though they may have lost everything, these refugees, like the other many refugees seeking shelter in Malaysia, show an incredible courage and perseverance to remain steadfast and positive in their will to survive.

Joining the refugees on stage is Deborah Henry, who is a refugee rights advocate, and Susheela Balasundaram of UNCHR, together with singer-songwriters Ariff Akhir and Ian Chow. The Life Sdn Bhd 7: REFUGEES series will be held from 26th till 29th October at 8.30 pm AND 30th October at 3.00 pm. Tickets are priced at RM 33 for adults and RM 23 for students and TAS card holders. Viewers attending the preview night on 26th October will be charged a flat rate of RM 23 per entry. For more information, call The Actors Studio at 03 2142 2009 / 2143 2009 or log on to the website here.

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Tourism Malaysia

Festival of Wings 2011

October 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm

It is that time of the year again where our winged friends embark on their long journey from colder homes heading to warmer climates. This annual event is organised to promote the importance of the birds as a natural indicator of the planet Earth’s health. Bird lovers can expect to see dozens of species of our feathered friends stopping by en route to their destinations.

Festival of Wings 2011

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) celebrates this yearly event by organising a two day Festival of Wings 2011 to be held at Kuala Selangor Nature Park from 22nd to 23rd October 2011. As a premier eco-tourism site in Selangor, the event also aims to create an awareness of the environment as this year is aptly declared as the International Year of Forests by the United Nations (UN). Lots of fun and exciting activities are in store for nature lovers and the public to participate and enjoy. There will be a FOW-BATA Run 2011 held on 22nd October at 7.00 am, bird watching sessions, mangrove river cruises and tours and a firefly tour. It is truly an exciting event not to be missed. For more information, please log on to MNS’ website here or call 03 3289 2294.

Photo (c) Malaysian Nature Society

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