Malaysia's Attractions To Be In Spotlight At Routes 2008

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

Malaysian F1 Grand Prix To Be A Permanent Feature

January 17, 2007 00:25 AM

PERMANENT FEATURE… Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (centre) officiating the 2007 F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Looking on are Petronas Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Merican (left) and Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir. Pix: Azman Firdaus

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tuesday night said that the government would ensure that the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix remains a permanent feature in the country's sports calendar.

He said the Grand Prix had been a key event for the government in enhancing the country's international image and in promoting Malaysia as a leading international tourist destination.

"I am confident that Malaysia's participation in Formula One will continue to grow even further. One of the targets for the Sepang International Circuit when it was established nine years ago in 1998 was for it to be an official test circuit for all things F1.

"Hence, after nine years of ongoing effort, I am happy to note that the Sepang F1 Circuit has now been included as one of the official test circuits for 2007," said Abdullah at the official launch of the 2007 F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix here.

The Prime Minister called upon the race promoter, Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd, to continue their good work to ensure that Malaysia remained a permanent test circuit in the F1 calendar.

He said that the selection of the Sepang F1 Circuit as an official test track was a prestigious recognition of the track facilities as well as the solid capabilities of the people involved in the administration and operation of the circuit.

Abdullah noted that as the Malaysian Grand Prix was amongst the key thrusts of the 2007 Visit Malaysia Year programme, the government would further extend its involvement in the F1 world championship.

He said that the event also attracted an average of 40,000 international fans besides tens of thousands of local supporters.

"Some six hundred million more view it live via television broadcasts. Effectively that makes the Malaysian Grand Prix the largest single event to showcase Malaysia to international audiences and to attract foreign tourists," Abdullah said.

He also called upon the organizers of sports tourism-related events to perform at their peak when promoting and executing their respective programmes for VMY 2007.

The Prime Minister said that Malaysia's ability to stage an F1 event had far reaching significance in the overall nation building process and which allowed Malaysia to draw closer in its aspiration of becoming a developed country by 2020.

"This is because the F1 has, in its own way, helped to draw Malaysians closer towards advanced technologies and applications, which are showcased by all the teams participating in this annual event," he said.

He said that the exposure to an F1 team was one of the most precise, exacting and demanding job available anywhere in the world.

He added that through local F1 events, many Malaysians had been given the opportunity to work as part of engineering, maintenance and service crews of participating teams.

"I believe that the F1 has helped developed confidence and competitiveness for those Malaysians fortunate enough to have been given the chance to participate directly or indirectly in the sports," he added.

Source: BERNAMA

Special deals for F1 fans

Saturday January 13, 2007

FORMULA ONE fans can now purchase tickets for the 2007 Formula One Petronas Grand Prix with a 5% discount as well as limited edition F1 gifts at Tower Records Suria KLCC.

A special early bird counter has been set up to help secure a full house for the race in Sepang in April.

The first 2000 tickets purchased will get the discount as well as limited edition F1 kits that contain a special edition lanyard and a pair of earplugs.

According to Sepang International Circuit (SIC) representative Azlan Akil, the company has sold 500 Citrine tickets worth RM 500 at RM 99 and another 1000 tickets priced at RM 199 online and are now selling the third batch of Citrine tickets at RM 299.

“In promoting Formula One among the young, SIC is offering a 50% discount for students for the covered Hillstand C2”, he added.


Promotional counter: The counter set up for fans at Tower Records KLCC.

The Hillstand tickets, which are sold at RM 150 for three-day entry from April 6 to 8, will host a luxury giant screen apart from covered open areas to allow fans to enjoy the 56- lap race.

“We have also introduced a special GP Package that will provide different seats for three different packages for each of the three days”, said Azlan.

SIC will also kick off its road shows in March starting with Johor Bahru, followed by Penang and the Klang Valley apart from an international campaign targeting South East Asian countries to secure 120,000 spectators.

The promotion ends on Jan 31.

Source: The Star

External Links
Sepang GP - http://www.malaysiangp.com.my.