Malaysia
A feature from the IAGTO Directory 2015
Malaysia
Malaysia Malaysia a haven for tourists Malaysia is a haven for attractions and activities that continues to draw millions of tourists to its shores. Catering to visitors of every kind who travel to Malaysia, it has an excellent tourism infrastructure maintained by the Government and the private sector, including transportation system, hotels, shopping places, nightlife, variety of food and drinks, festival, outdoor activity and many more. Malaysia is gifted with abundance of natural resources to support tourism industries. The industries maintain its sustainability because of Malaysia’s strong economy, stable political system and businessfriendly environment. There is also renewed focus to develop and increase tourism, which is one of the major sources of foreign exchange. Golf is a major attraction, with more than 200 golf courses spread out in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak that offer varying degrees of challenges and excitement. From resort-style golf courses offering manicured fairways and greens with five-star accommodation to remote golf courses carved out of sprawling rainforests, they all bring excitement and challenge to golfers. The Sepang International Circuit offers local and foreign motorsports fans the opportunity to watch adrenaline-pumping action such as the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix and other major events. It is recognised as one of the most aweinspiring tracks in the world, challenging even for the finest drivers and riders in the world. Malaysia also has numerous beaches and great dive locations that offer spectacular experiences under the sun and under water. Among the top dive areas are Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai islands in Sabah, Langkawi (Kedah), Tioman (Johor) and Perhentian (Terengganu). As a shoppers’ paradise, Malaysia has many popular international brand stores in shopping malls in the major cities with products ranging from luxurious designer clothing and accessories to exclusive bags, watches, trendy footwear and every type of electronic equipment imaginable.
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Malaysia
Malaysia offers a wide variety of local, delicious food that reflects the multi-racial roots of the population while international dishes are also common and popular in the country. With a population of 30 million, Malaysia consists of many ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan and others who contribute to the unique Malaysian culture. The melting point of the diverse cultures has also brought about a sharing of values and celebration of different types of festivals and events throughout the year. Tourists can visit the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), which offers a wide range of facilities and services to assist tourists in planning unforgettable holidays in Malaysia. It also hosts cultural shows and demonstrations. Those visiting Kuala Lumpur can use the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service which brings tourists to all the major attractions within the city while specialised tour packages are available to bring foreigners to other states around the country to enjoy unique sights and sounds. Among the tourists’ choice are: Penang, where old and new infrastructure blend and which is a haven for food; Malacca, where historical buildings expound the legacy of bygone eras; the tropical islands of Langkawi, where 99 islands and the sea offer breathtaking scenery; Gunung Kinabalu in Sabah, the highest mountain in South East Asia; and the Niah and Mulu caves in Sarawak. Malaysia has many island and marine parks, national parks that claim the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, and cool hill resorts where tourists can enjoy a temperate climate setting. With a myriad of attractions to offer, the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the Malaysian people need to be experienced first-hand to appreciate it, and the nation continues to be a destination of choice for tourists from all over the world. 45
Malaysia
Malaysia wins Asia’s Best Golf Destination award Malaysia is “Asia’s Best Golf Destination” – an honour bestowed on the country at the inaugural World Golf Awards, held in Portugal in November, 2014. Recently-opened The Els Club Teluk Datai, designed by the golf legend Ernie Els within the 10-millionyear-old rainforests of Langkawi, also won the Best New Golf Course in Asia and Best New Golf Course in the World honours at the awards ceremony, held at the Conrad Algarve Hotel. Winning the accolade is a thrill for the Malaysian tourism industry, and especially the nation’s golfing fraternity, as it follows the tremendous efforts that have been undertaken during recent years to promote the country as “Asia’s Best Kept Secret” with reference to golfing holidays. The Malaysia Golf Tourism Association (MGTA), which has been playing a key role in extensively promoting and marketing Malaysia as a golfing destination to international tourists, attributed winning the awards to Malaysia’s natural elegance, challenging golf courses designed by top golf designers and the welcoming hospitality of its people. MGTA president Eushen Ng expressed his pride over the international achievements and felt happy about the awards won by local golf industry players as the winners are active MGTA members.
MGTA president Eushen Ng 46
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the continuous support of Tourism Malaysia in promoting Malaysia as a golf destination,” he said. “These awards are recognition of Malaysia’s excellent development in the golf industry, its top-notch services and facilities and cooperation from the private sector.”
Malaysia
He attributed Malaysia being voted as a great golf destination to the fact that it was not just because of the great golf courses in the country but because Malaysia also had products and services that were value for money. “These victories show that there is an overall perception that Malaysia has value for money in hotel rates, airline connectivity and other tourists’ products. “We also have less traffic congestion compared to other countries in the region, and Malaysia is an English speaking nation, endowed with political stability with no civil unrest and protests and a wide array of culinary and sightseeing experience where tourists can enjoy themselves, feel safe and be relaxed here.” “Hall of Famer Ernie Els has a great reason to build Asia’s first Els Club here; he knows what’s good and the tremendous natural surroundings that Malaysia is blessed with where he can design an award-winning golf course,” added Eushen. Responding to Malaysia’s success in the awards, Malaysia’s Minister for Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Sri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said he was pleased with these recognitions. “The awards will motivate us to strengthen our efforts to promote Malaysia as a popular year-round golf destination. This achievement also signifies the result of our National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) initiative under the Entry Point Project 9B (EPP9b), which identified golfing as a focal activity for the future growth of quality tourism,” he said. “We sincerely hope that more golfers from all over the world will discover the value and experience of golfing in Malaysia.”
The Els Club Malaysia Senior Vice President, David Townend, (second from left) received both awards in Portugal 47
Malaysia
Malaysia Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) Malaysia’s lure as a tourist destination has never been in doubt, since the nation is endowed with natural and man-made attractions, great food and warm and friendly people. The Malaysian Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, has over the past few decades been promoting Malaysian tourism worldwide and these efforts have been complemented by the private sector, which has been introducing new tourism products and promotional campaigns. Realising the potential for golf to draw more tourists to the country, the Government in recent years began re-strategising its tourism campaigns to focus on niche markets that involve golfers.
Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort
Thus golf was identified as a key area under the Government’s Tourism Transformation Plan 2020 to increase tourism dollars and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture increased its focus on the sector with its growth being closely monitored and its progress reported to the relevant authorities separately from other tourism products. The Malaysian Golf Tourism Association, established in March 2011, plays a central role in coordinating efforts by the various local golf tour operators, golf clubs, golf courses, hotels and media to promote Malaysia as a desired golf destination and increase the number of visiting golfers. MGTA also acts as a facilitator for the industry by implementing various programmes to boost the number of visiting golfers. Being, a non-profit organisation, MGTA has the goal to create greater international awareness of Malaysia as “Asia’s Best Kept Secret” when it comes to golfing holidays. It was formed under the initiative of the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) in March 2011 under the Entry Point Project 9-B (EPP 9-B). It is funded by Tourism Malaysia to serve as their golf tourism marketing arm, and it comes under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) and PEMANDU (Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit).
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Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club
Horizon Hills Resort
Sabah Golf & Country Club
Damai Laut Golf And Country Club
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
It has been actively involved in participating in local and international golf expositions and golf events around the world to further promote Malaysia as a golfing hub and help the local golfing industry members to reach out to foreign tourists. According to MGTA president Eushen Ng, the association is focused on bringing the golfing industry together to be stronger and to improve the relationship between the golf clubs and other organisations involved in the golf industry so that they can work closely for the betterment of the industry.
Templer Park Country Club
“We have golf course operators, hotels, the golf retail industry, tour operators and the media as our members who are now working like a family to bring the local golfing industry to new heights,” he said. During major international events such as the CIMB Classic, Maybank Malaysia Open, Sime Darby Ladies Professional Golf Association Tournament and the Iskandar Johor Open, overseas tour operators and foreign media are hosted by the MGTA to enable them to expose Malaysia’s golf tourism products more extensively. To add to the thrills of playing golf in Malaysia, MGTA launched the “Play Malaysia Golf” website as part of its five-year strategy to increase the number of visitors travelling to the country for the primary purpose of playing golf.
Saujana Resort
Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club
“There are hundreds of thousands of golfers with easy access to Malaysia who really love their golf and play as often as they can. Playing on great golf courses in a range of different environments is what they like to do when they travel and this is exactly what Malaysia offers,” Eushen added. “I don’t think there is another golf destination that provides such a wide range of golfing challenges of the highest quality.” More details can be found on the website: www.playmalaysiagolf.com Copy supplied by the Malaysia Golf Tourism Association 49
Cover Photo: Bunga Raya Course, Saujana Golf & Countr y Club, Malaysia • www.saujana.com.my
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