October 12, 2008 20:34 PM
By Umi Hani Sharani
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The 14th Routes Forum hosted by Malaysia starting Sunday will be a perfect platform to expose the country's major tourism attractions to the hive of airlines expected to converge here for the annual event.
Themed "The World Is Coming To KUL", Routes 2008 will see the "who's who" of the airline industry getting their first taste of the local scene, a move that can eventually persuade them to extend their routes to this part of the region.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's general manager for marketing, Sallaudin Mohamed Shah, said the firm has arranged various activities that not only promote the cultural aspect of the country but also current activities such as the chance to drive at the Sepang International Circuit.
"These are the decision makers of the airlines and they are here for the first time. So we have taken a great leap (to organise side activities) because Malaysia is renowned as a tourism destination, and we saw the opportunity.
The world (is coming) to us," he told Bernama in an interview.
He said although previous hosts had provided city tours during the events, Malaysia this time has taken the liberty to arrange various social programmes for all delegates to sample various attractions.
Besides city tours to the administrative capital of Putrajaya or the holy site of Batu Caves, those interested can also find their way to the historic city of Malacca.
Malaysia Airports, in working with Tourism Malaysia, has also not forgotten to provide avid golfers with a friendly tournament on the various beautiful greens of the country.
"We are also working with the City Hall to provide delegates free 'hop-on, hop-off' bus passes for them to get to know Kuala Lumpur better," said Sallaudin.
He said the firm was also working with Sepang International Circuit and Sepang International Driving Academy to give free lessons on how to ride on the world-famous Sepang International Circuit which has been hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
"Of course, not forgetting the famous Petronas Twin Towers where we have also given free access for certain time for a certain number of delegates to view the city from the Sky Bridge at level 41," he added.
Sallaudin said these are some of the things aimed at generating greater interest among the delegates to show that Malaysia is an attractive country to visit, rather than them coming here just for meetings.
"There are great tourism opportunities that one can savour. That is one unique thing that no other host has done before," he said. He credited the enthusiasm to make the event a success to the various stakeholders and partners, including Tourism Malaysia, City Hall, Petronas, KLAS (Kuala Lumpur Airport Services) and Malaysia Airlines, as well as various sponsors.
Source: BERNAMA
