High living on the high seas

Source : The New Straits Times, Monday July 21, 2008

R. Gomathy

Enjoy five-star dining while cruising on the luxurious 'Lili Marleen'.

MALACCA: Fancy sailing aboard a luxury yacht and experiencing five-star dining on the high seas in the Straits of Malacca?

Then check in at the "floating hotel" in the form of the 76m-long yacht Lili Marleen, which belongs to the Halim Mazmin group.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who visited the yacht moored near the Malacca port yesterday, said he believed the floating hotel would be the next big tourism product to attract more tourists to the state.

"I consider this ship as a reward for Malacca being successfully listed (as a Unesco World Heritage Site). "

Anchored off Malacca town's waterfront, the Lili Marleen can accommodate up to 150 passengers. It offers world class facilities such as deluxe cabins, restaurants, a lounge with bar and a sunbathing deck.

"It is a versatile platform for a variety of social, leisure and business functions. From now on, off-site seminars, conferences and meetings, luxury cruises and sail training can be arranged by the Lili Marleen crew."

Mohd Ali along with hoteliers, travel agents and members of the Malacca Tourism Department and the media, were treated to a cruise along the Straits of Malacca yesterday.Meanwhile, Halim Mazmin group chief executive officer Tan Sri Halim Mohammad said the crew members were prepared to sail all the way to Penang and Langkawi."

The Lili Marleen is 15 years old. She was purchased for E 6.5 million (RM33 million), and we are proud to own this one-of-a-kind ship in the Asia Pacific."

"Our concept is very simple -- for the guests to rest, relax and unwind. "If the response is promising, then we are willing to add another vessel to meet the demand.

"We accept bookings for events such as wedding receptions. All you have to do is to inform us. We will plan the rest."

Arab factor to boost mega sales

Source : The Sunday Star July 20, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia is banking on oil money from Middle Eastern countries to help fuel the Mega Sale Carnival from July 5 to Sept 1.

“This is the Arab season. There will be an influx of tourists wanting to escape the summer heat there. We are expecting 300,000 tourists from Middle Eastern countries,” said Amiruldin Abu, Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (planning).

A number of extra flights are flying in from Jeddah (32), Iran (20), Kuwait (16) and UAE (10).

Last year, the Arab season (until the end of July) brought in 245,302 tourists from the Middle East who spent RM1.4bil.

Statistics showed each tourist stayed an average of eight nights and spent about RM6,000.

Amiruldin said Arab tourists were fond of Malaysia because they felt comfortable here.

However, Malaysian Retailers Association president Eddy Chan said the Arab factor was only applicable to certain malls.

He spoke to a few counterparts and overall, the first weekend sales was not better than last year’s figures.

Chan said locals were more cautious about spending after the fuel hike hit many pockets.

Also, many avoided the city as rumours swirled about a mass gathering in town.

“People don’t want to be caught inside their cars for hours because of traffic jams. This did not help getting customers into our stores over the weekend,” he said.

The lack of extensive media promotion about the Mega Sale ahead of the event was also a damper.

Previously, the publicity hit the electronic and print media as early as two months before the sales.

“This time, maybe the Government was preoccupied with other things,” said Chan.

Retailers hoped the second half of the year - with the fasting month, Hari Raya, Christmas and New Year festivities, would encourage more sales.

2.6 Percent Rise In Tourists Arrivals

July 17, 2008 22:09 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The number of foreign tourists visiting Malaysia during the first six months of this year increased by 2.6 percent from the same period last year, from 10,690,426 to 10,963,120 people, said Tourism Malaysia.

For the month of June this year, the number of foreign tourists visiting Malaysia increased by 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year, that is from 1,803,594 to 1,961,355 people, it said in a press statement issued here Thursday.

It said Singapore maintained its position as the biggest tourist generating market for the first six months with a total 5,475,930 visitors, followed by Indonesia (1,095,511), Thailand (758,114) and China including Hong Kong and Macau (491,682).

Most major markets also recorded double digit growth last month compared to the same month last year, which include Russia (11.2 percent), followed by Cambodia (76.5 percent), Switzerland (65.4 percent) and the Netherlands (61.2 percent).-- BERNAMA

School holidays are back

Malaysia and Singapore school mid term breaks (holidays) are soon approaching. The roads and hotels will all be facing heavy movement with school trips or family holidays. These end-May break coincides with the Arab holiday season and can expect hotel rooms to be in demand.

Malaysia School Holiday
24 May - 8 June 2008

Singapore School Holiday
24 May - 22 June 2008

In Malaysia, several destinations would be the focal point for domestic holidays such as Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Cameron Highlands.

Prior to that, Wesak (Visakha) Day falls on May 19 (Monday) and the same can be said holiday spots to be jam packed especially Melaka. The annual procession around Melaka Historical City will take place on Sunday May 18 and with the long weekend, the town centre leading towards Bandar Hilir can expect a long crawl with many looking forward to experience the newly opened Menara Taming Sari (revolving observation tower), Melaka River Walk and Jonker Walk.

To reserve your rooms early, here are some hotels where you can book directly and obtain the direct confirmation from the hotel. This gives you the peace of mind to travel during the school holidays knowing that accomodation is guaranteed.

Happy holidays and have a safe and pleasant journey!