Tag - Tourism

KOTA KINABALU: The newly launched Zest Airways Manila-Kota Kinabalu route will help to boost tourist arrivals in Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia Manila director Fazdila Mansor said the initiative was aimed at attracting more tourists from the Philippines. "It comes at a perfect time since we will be celebrating the fourth Visit Malaysia Year in 2014. This year is the programme's promotional campaign period," she said in a press statement. Last year, the country welcomed 508,744 Filipino tourists, 40.5 per cent more than the 362,101 tourists in 2011. In Sabah, Filipino tourist numbers have increased from 50,195 in 2011 to 71,404 last year. Passengers on the inaugural flight included travel bloggers and guests, including celebrity singer and songwriter Jim Paredes from the Philippines. Present was Sabah Tourism Board chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin Mahmood. Zest, which is the sister airline of Airasia Philippines, flies here four times weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Source: New Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU: Local licensed tour guides should update themselves on the existing and latest products in Sabah in order to woo more visitors to the state. Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin Mahmood said tour guides not only needed to know the state's history, but also have knowledge on its abundant tourism products, including eco-tourism packages. "Sabah is a very rich state with its biodiversity of natural rainforest and abundance of endemic species of flora and fauna. Therefore, tour guides play a vital role in the industry as they must be able to attract domestic and foreign visitors here," he said in a statement. Zainal also said it was important for tour guides to learn foreign languages, following an increase in the number of tourists from China, Hong Kong and Korea. He added that STB was willing to help local tour guides on this matter by organising talks every two months to help them better their skills and knowledge in the profession. Last month, Zainal launched the Sabah Native Registered Tourist Guides Association here, which is affiliated with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council. It aims to address and attend to the needs, problems and interests of licensed tour guides that are related to the field. Association president Dabalun Balau welcomed all local tour guides in the state to register with it. He said the association would conduct continuous tourism-related activities that were required for all tour guides who wanted to renew their licence. Dabalun also reminded tour guides to take care of their dressing and manners when working with tourists. "It is imperative for them to practise professionalism at all times so that the profession will be respected and the state's image not to be affected." Source: New Straits Times

Sandakan: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has allocated RM10 million for upgrading works at Sandakan Airport. Its Chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah said the commitment was done to provide convenience for customers based on the 5.8 per cent increase in passenger traffic totalling 834,626 last year. He said the positive development had enabled MAHB to project higher tourist arrivals in the future, which would require better facilities to accommodate the customers. According to him, the upgrading works at the airport was also aimed to further enhance the tourism industry in the district as well as to aspire its business partners to give quality services. "The upgrading works at the Sandakan Airport has started, several facilities have been ordered and the opening of the tender process is being undertaken. "This involves having various facilities such as new chairs, trolley, scanner and the construction of two skybridges," he said at a media conference after the launch of the upgrading project at Sandakan Airport, here, Saturday. At the event, MAHB also presented education zakat to its employees' children and appreciation letters to excellent employees. Meanwhile, commenting on works at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Wan Abdul Aziz said the remainder of the upgrading works at the airport was more than 90 per cent complete. He said only minor works that were still not yet completed such as the taxi lane and drainage system. Source: Daily Express