Tourism Asia Online Magazine

Vol. 08 | No: 2. February 2012

contents february 08 ATF 2012

ended in high note

29

Wares for sale in Batu Ferringhi

MALAYSIA - EGuide

10 PATA hosts Hub City Forum

12 FAITH TOURISM:

ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES Faith tourism may seem a minor branch of the industry, yet numbers suggest it is one of the most expansive segments which have significant potential.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

• Le Tour De Langkawi

• Pasir Gudang International

Kite Festival

Langkawi Island

Pasir Gudang, Johor

Cherating Beach, Pahang

• National Craft Day

MARCH

APRIL

• Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

• Sabah Fest

Kuala Lumpur

Nationwide

Sabah

• Malaysia GP Sale

Nationwide

14 Partner country Egypt at ITB Berlin Grand

opening

ceremony on 6 March 2012

-

cultural

numerous events

with

typical national attractions at the world’s largest show

travel -

trade

interactive

communication

via

Facebook and Twitter

Tourism Asia | February 2012

3

contents february

26

GAsia-Pacific Tourism Poised to Record 6 percent Growth for 2011 Growth into the South Asia was supported by a strong

20

The Leading International MICE Event In ChinaTimeless

22

AirAsia X records highest overall load factor and 45% revenue growth in 2011

performance out of Europe backed up with continued strong expansion out of China and India says PATA report

Bisikan Bayu Beach Š Tourism Malaysia

16

ITB Media Day: the meeting place for journalists and bloggers Vietnam has launched a new tourism slogan, Vietnam – Timeless Charm, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

24

India promotes Health Tourism at the Gujarat Travel Mart The second edition of the Gujarat Travel Mart started with opening ceremony on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Ahmadabad, India.

4

Tourism Asia | February 2012

CAMBODIA

JAPAN

MAURITIUS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

CHINA

KENYA

PHILIPPINES

UNITED KINGDOM

HOLYLAND TOURS

MACAU

SINGAPORE

U.S.A

HONG KONG

MALAYSIA

SRI LANKA

VIETNAM

INDIA

MALDIVES

THAILAND

COMBO TOURS

From the editor’s desk Managing Editor

:

Sreekumara Menon

India has been known for mainly inbound

Group Editor

:

Janeesh Jalaluddin

movement for years but slowly it is also turn-

Executive Editor

:

Kriebel George

ing out to be a fabulous outbound source

Photo Editor

:

Madhu Menon

market. The growing demand and increasing

Art Editor

:

Dileep

no. of people wanting to travel outside India

Senior Correspondent :

Subhash Ghosh

has shot up tremendously in the last few

Senior Sub Editor

:

Anish Kumar

year.

Editorial Team

:

Anu S

:

Viji V S

Marketing

:

Suresh Kumar S

Legal Advisor

:

Adv. Preeja K S

Financial Controller

:

Abhilash S P

Representatives

Indians have been known as globe trotters mainly seeking jobs or exploring avenues to do business for ages, ever since the air connectivity across the continents became a reality. But this trend has changed and has now added momentum with the Indians traveling out of their home country for pilgrimage, leisure and pleasure.

North India

:

Vinod Chandana

East India

:

Gagan Sarangi

Today there is a great demand for destinations like Malaysia,

West India

:

S K Singh

Singapore, Thailand Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and many

Bahrain

:

Shine G Nair

European countries, thanks to the low cost carriers like Air Asia,

Bangalore

:

Bhagvan Din Kumar

Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Airways. There are no official figures

Bhubaneshwar

:

Gagan Sarangi

available as yet to gauge the volume but going by the big sharks

Chennai

:

Balachandar

in the trade and the visible advertising spends it is something

Dubai

:

Shinu

that cannot be ignored.

New Delhi

:

Annie Chacko

Philippines

:

Cynthia Lim

Pune

NTO‘s or National Tourist Organizations of many countries have

:

S K Singh

Qatar

realized India’s potential and slowly making a beeline to impress

:

Aneena Jacob

Singapore

the country men. Tour operators in other countries have also

:

Ajith Menon

Srilanka

realized the potential business that can be generated from India

:

Prebuddha

Thailand

and are now constantly seen making marketing calls in India.

:

Tae

All communications to: Tourism Asia Ground Floor, ‘Tower House’, Convent Road Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Phone: +91 471 2470660, Fax: +91 471 2470660

Email: news@tourismasiaonline.info website: www.tourismasiaonline.info

Improved connectivity and increasing no. of middle class people with upscale incomes have lead to this sudden blast in nos. Indians habit to splurge in shopping wherever they go makes our tourists a very big source market. The trend is really encouraging and this is bound to scale up more in the years to come.

Regd Office: ‘Sreeji Nivas’ , Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram

Edited and Published by: Sreekumara Menon

Are we seeing a momentous shift in the Indian’s taste and travel patterns - the answer is a definite yes.

For Advertisements: marketing@tourismasiaonline.info The news and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010

V.Sreekumara Menon Editor & Publisher editor@tourismasiaonline.info +91 9447798108

Tourism Asia | February 2012

7

News & Views

ATF 2012 ended in high note

THE ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2012 travex featured over 1,400 delegates to the newly constructed Golden Kawanua Exhibition Hall in Manado, Indonesia from January 13-15.

Close to 1,000 exhibitors, 390 buyers and more than 100 media representatives participated in the event.

The exhibitor delegation featured some 438 booths represented by 390 companies and properties across the 10 ASEAN countries. Indonesia and Thailand form the two largest national contingents with 112 and 92 exhibition booths respectively. Corporate exhibitors also participated in a big way, contributing some 65 exhibition booths.

cent of buyers will hail from Asia-Pacific, followed by 37.6 per cent from Europe.

Meanwhile, this year ’s ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), themed ‘ASEAN Goes Green’, saw speakers from the industry shared the latest insights on ASEAN’s efforts towards sustainable and ecoconscious tourism.

This year ’s ATF also introduced its new branding, “Southeast Asia -- Feel the Warmth,” for the first time. A four-year marketing plan was outlined at the event, and will be backed by a budget of $160,000. Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Asia and South Pacific

Sansern Ngaorungsi said the plan was to pool common products and activities.

Minister Pangestu said that preparations towards ASEAN as a single destination are showing significant development, though the “Free Visa” policy among member nations still needs to be addressed and a prompt solution is necessary. Cambodia and Myanmar have yet to confirm. The minister added that the heads of ASEAN member governments had, in principle, agreed to common visas for non-ASEAN visitors and free visas for the residents of ASEAN nations. Laos will host ATF 2013 next year.

ATF 2012 saw buyer participation from four new countries: Bulgaria, Egypt, Kuwait and New Zealand. Forty-eight per

Tourism Asia | February 2012

8

News & Views

PATA

hosts Hub City Forum Pacific Asia Travel Association will host a PATA Hub City Forum- in Bangkok, next Monday, under the theme “2012: Navigating the headwinds” with tourism executives in Thailand and the Mekong Sub-region as guest speakers.

The forum will be held 30 January, from 1200 to 1600 at Landmark Hotel Bangkok.

PATA says the forum will suit those who want to maximise developments in transportation, manpower, hospitality and capacity building, as well as discuss future trends.

The forum will open with a 20-minute presentation by Thai Airways International president Piyasvasti Amranand, on ‘2012: Navigating the Headwinds’ followed by a 15-minute speech by Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Suraphon Svestasreni on ‘Lessons learned and Challenges Ahead’.

The forum organisers have invited panelists: • Asian Development Bank, social sector specialist, Steven Schipani • Myanmar Tourism Board, tourism consultant, Daw Kyi Kyi Aye • Khiri Travel CEO, Willem Niemeijer • Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas director, electronic distribution, Damien Pfirsch • Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, executive director, Mason Florence

Tourism Asia | February 2012

• Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, chief technical advisor Peter Semone • LT Project Management, managing director Peter Meacock • Assumption University programme director, John Barnes

Topics are described as capacity building, development pipeline in greater Mekong sub region, manpower, and the impact of ASEAN Economic Cooperation (AEC) 2015 PATA expects 120 delegates to pay the Bt700 registration fee, which will be shared between PATA head office and the PATA chapter.

Non-members pay Bt850, and Bt500 for students.

In addition, a small gr0up of so-called VIP members (PATA) will be invited to a dinner hosted by PATA CEO, Martin Craigs, using his substantial expense budget. Mr Craigs is celebrating the rather obscure 101st anniversary described as the first aircraft flight to Bangkok, January 1911. He has not verified if that was for a land aircraft or sea plane.

10

News & Events

FAITH TOURISM: ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES Faith tourism may seem a minor branch of the industry, yet numbers suggest it is one of the most expansive segments which have significant potential.

Thus, faith-based tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry, being only overcome by adventure tourism.

Visiting religious sites has long been a priority for believers; no matter what religion, those truly devoted are ready to travel thousands of miles to pay homage to a place or area significant to their faith. In fact, large groups of travelers plan their religious holidays way in advance to make sure their experience is perfect.

There are a number of key religious hotspots which attract the most faith tourists. Tourism agencies worldwide have been monitoring this developing trend and many have already launched special packages which feature many places of interest and deliver a complete deal to potential clients.

Such packages present a challenge for tour operators, considering the number of places which a themed religious tour need to include. Buddhist religion lures visitors to many Asian countries ranging from Nepal, and India to Japan, while Christians are attracted to countries in the Middle East, Europe or the Americas.

Among the most popular religious destinations are the so-called Bible lands or places, which follow the history of Christianity in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, etc. Visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth is only the very basis of such a religious tour.

Lourdes in France is perhaps the largest pilgrimage place which annually draws millions of visitors, mainly Catholics. Yet France offers much more to faith travelers including the famous Parisian cathedrals such as Chartres and Notre Dame, or the Mont St. Michel abbey that dates back to 11th century.

Latin America as well as the U.S. present a variety of mission trails and those keen on Christian roots will enjoy travelling through Greece or Italy, and even Scotland and Ireland.

Tourism Asia | February 2012

12

Nesw & Views

Partner country Egypt at ITB Berlin Grand opening ceremony on 6 March 2012 – numerous cultural events with typical national attractions at the world’s largest travel trade show – interactive communication via Facebook and Twitter

tional travel industry’s leading think

will occupy close to 2,000 square

tank, discussion will focus on the Arab

metres of floor space in Hall 23,

Spring and its impact on tourism.

making it one of the largest exhibitors at the show. Visitors to the hall can

Hisham Zaazou, Senior Assistant Min-

experience the diversity of Egypt’s holi-

ister of Tourism: “As the partner coun-

day regions, including the Nile Delta,

try of ITB Berlin 2012 Egypt is highly

Red Sea, desert landscapes, oases and

enthusiastic and committed. This is a

the Mediterranean coast. At a bazaar

milestone for our tourism industry and

they can also purchase the country’s

signals continuity for our strongest

handicrafts, sample regional speciali-

branch of industry in these times of

ties, or enjoy a musical foretaste of

political change.“

Egypt with atmospheric live music and folk presentations. Badawy, one of the

The question as to what the future

country’s best known chefs, will be

In March 2012 Egypt, the partner coun-

holds for the tourism industry in the

cooking dishes at the Brandenburg

try of ITB Berlin, will have a wide-

Arab countries will be debated at the

Restaurant in Hall 24.

ranging programme of events to offer

ITB Berlin Convention. On 7 March

the international trade visitors and the

2012 from 4.15 to 5.30 p.m. the topic

A colourful Egyptian carnival proces-

general public attending the world’s

for discussion will be “The Arab rebel-

sion will be taking place in the various

largest travel trade show. During the

lion: an Arab Spring or tourism ice

halls on every day of the fair. An

show, which takes place from 7 to 11

age?“. Experts on the Arab region

impressive performance of traditional

March 2012, visitors to Hall 23a will be

including Prof. Dr. Volker Perthes,

Tanoura dancing, which involves an

able to find out more about Egypt’s

Humboldt-Universität Berlin and Freie

artistic display of dancers’ skirts, awaits

culture and history as well as tourism

Universität Berlin, director of Stiftung

visitors to Hall 4.1. Samaa, a group of

to this country. Among those perform-

Wissenschaft und Politik and Dietmar

Islamic and Coptic singers, blends

ing at the opening ceremony on Tues-

Gunz, CEO FTI Group, will put forward

different

day, 6 March 2012 in the International

scenarios and provide orientation.

sounds, expressing peace among faiths

Congress Center ICC Berlin will be

religious

beliefs

with

its

and Egypt’s uniformity as a nation. On

members of the Cairo Opera House. At

Egypt has been at ITB Berlin ever since

9 March, at 3.30 p.m., book lovers can

the ITB Berlin Convention, the interna

the show’s launch in 1966. In 2012 it

draw inspiration from the ITB Book

Tourism Asia | February 2012

14

Nesw & Views Awards which will take place in the hall

From 7 February to 4 March 2012

hosting Egypt’s displays. Travel calen-

various promotional activities involving

dars, travel guides and travelogues

this

covering the country’s entire range of

customers visiting the store of the

attractions

public’s

outdoor equipment supplier Globe-

enthusiasm for Egypt. On 11 March

trotter in Berlin-Steglitz. Competitions

2012 at the closing ceremony of ITB

with prizes, videos, music and informa-

Berlin, Egypt will put on an artistic

tion on Egypt as well as a lecture by the

performance with The Festival of the

travel agency DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen

Delphic Games.

will bring Egypt’s magic to the German

will

whet

the

year’s

partner

country

await

capital.

The ankh project is yet another of the

Social networking sites offer numerous

numerous trade fair and marketing

opportunities for those interested in

measures which this year’s partner

finding out more about Egypt at the

country has launched. This ancient

show or at home. Here, they can

symbol signifying eternal life forms

contact Egyptian internet users, chat

part of the “We are Egypt“ logo and

live with people in Egypt, or exchange

represents Egypt’s visual signature as

views via Facebook or Twitter, for

the partner country of ITB Berlin 2012.

example. Additional information on

Visitors to Berlin will be able to see

Egypt

twenty different ankh sculptures by

www.egypt.travel or on Facebook at

Egyptian artists throughout the city.

www.facebook.com/AegyptenFans.

is

available

from

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention ITB Berlin 2012 will be taking place from Wednesday, 7 to Sunday, 11 March, and from Wednesday to Friday will be open to trade visitors only.

Parallel with the trade show, the ITB Berlin Convention, the largest travel industry event of its kind in the world, will be held from Wednesday, 7 to Friday, 9 March 2012. Additional information

is

available

convention.com.

ITB

at

www.itb-

Berlin

is

the

global travel industry’s leading trade show. In 2011 a total of 11,163 companies from 188 countries displayed their products

and

services

to

170,000

visitors, who included 110,791 trade visitors.

Tourism Asia | February 2012

15

News & Events

ITB Media Day: the meeting place for journalists and bloggers Open press conference of ITB Berlin on 6 March 2012 – followed by further press conferences with exhibitors – a major networking event for bloggers

Organizer

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Jaipur, India

This year the media world is already

large number of events and discussion

and the challenges facing the world’s

gathering in Berlin from 6 March 2012.

rounds

Exhibition

travel industry. This will be followed by

On the eve of ITB Berlin, for the first

Grounds, will round off the ITB Media

a press conference with the Hungarian

time, the world’s leading travel trade

Day.

Tourist Board at Empore Ost which

on

the

Berlin

show will be devoting this day entirely

starts at 11.30 a.m. Afterwards, the

to the media. Events will feature the

On 6 March at 10 a.m. the opening

Japanese Tourist Board will report on

opening press conference of ITB Berlin

press conference of ITB Berlin will kick

all the latest news for travellers to

and further press conferences with

off events at the Palais am Funkturm,

Japan at an event in the central area of

individual

event

where the organisers of ITB Berlin will

the ground floor, starting at 1 p.m. At

welcoming bloggers from Germany

provide information on bookings and

2.30 p.m. ruf, a tour operator which

and abroad, who this year will find a

exhibitor numbers as well as trends

organises

exhibitors.

An

accompanied

travel

for

children, young people and young adults, will talk about developments

in

the

market for young travellers

as

well

as

the

company’s thirtieth anniversary.

Towards the end of the afternoon the focus will be on bloggers. From 5 p.m.,

Travel

Massive

@ITB Berlin will welcome bloggers

from

around

the world at the Palais am

Funkturm.

Berlin

the

networking Travel

At

ITB

global initiative

Massive

is

organised by

16

Tourism Asia | February 2012

News & Events pocketvillage.de and sponsored by

Jordan. Michael Buller, chairman of

visitBerlin. Bloggers will be able to

Verband

exchange views with the management

(VIR), will moderate the debate. During

of ITB Berlin and representatives of

the afternoon the third ITB Media

startups and tour operators in a

Summit will address the following

relaxed atmosphere.

issues:

Internet-Reisevertrieb

”How

are

travel

e.V.

bloggers,

corporate bloggers and travel technolA variety of events for bloggers and

ogy bloggers changing the traditional

anyone interested in blogging are also

media landscape?“. Dirk Rogl, deputy

scheduled to take place during ITB

editor-in-chief of the business maga-

Berlin. The New Media Summit at the

zine fvw, will moderate the event.

eTravel World in Hall 7.1c, a special

Among those taking part will be Ange-

event for bloggers, will take place on

lika Schwaff, press spokeswoman of

Thursday, 8 March at 10.30 a.m. On

germanwings, a travel blogger and

Friday, 9 March at 11.30 a.m., taking as

former travel journalist, and Sebastian

their slogan ”New kids on the blog –

Heinzel, CEO and corporate blogger,

how destinations can succeed in the

tripwolf.com, who will be discussing

blogosphere“, tourist boards and blog-

the transition from an electronic diary

gers will be discussing in what way and

to a professional internet medium (Hall

to what degree travel bloggers can

7.1b, London Room, 2.45 to 4 p.m.).

successfully

market

destinations.

Taking part in the discussion will be

This year ITB Berlin has created a

Reine Gammoh of Visit Jordan and

special button that reads “for blog-

blogger Keith Jenkins, who have jointly

gers“, to make finding one’s way

realised the iAmbassador project for

around the show as easy as possible.

18

An overview of all the main events are listed at www.itb-berlin.com/Blogger.

Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics, is delighted

that

bloggers

have

expressed such keen interest in the travel show: ”In recent years bloggers’ interest in ITB Berlin has risen sharply.

We note the industry is also very keen to strike up partnerships with bloggers and eager to make contact. ITB Berlin, the leading platform of the international travel industry, is the ideal venue for this.“

Tourism Asia | February 2012

News & Views

The Leading International MICE Event In ChinaTimeless IT&CM CHINA 2012 to be held in April IT&CM China 2012 will be held from April 17 to 19 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The 2012 theme is “Advancing MICE and Business Minds”. This is the 6th instalment of the international MICE event that seeks to “Promote China to the World and the World to China”. In 2011, the event attracted more than 2,000 delegates from 43 countries. It is the only event that features a good mix of International and Chinese exhibitors as well as a dedicated team to deliver some 400 buyers with a 50%-50% mix of International and Chinese buyers.

Since 2007, IT&CM China has established

The event is organised by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media, CITS Inter-

itself as China’s leading international

national M.I.C.E – a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITS (China International Travel

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and

Service) and MP International. It has the support of the Shanghai Municipal Tourism

Exhibitions (MICE) business, education

Administration, Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association, Australian

and networking event, dedicated to “Pro-

Society of Association Executives, Canadian Society of Association Executives, Global

moting China to the World and the World

Business Travel Association, International Congress & Convention Association, Inter-

to China”. Bringing together Chinese and

national Association of Professional Congress Organisers, Pacific Asia Travel Associa-

International MICE exhibitors and buyers

tion and Society of Incentive Travel Executives China.

in one dynamic marketplace, IT&CM China is the platform for international and

More information is available at www.itcmchina.com.

leading Chinese players in the MICE industry to explore business opportunities on all fronts – inbound, outbound and domestic. Delegates to the 3-day event receive the best return on their investment in business, education and networking through structured business appointments,

exhibition

showcase,

seminar

sessions, official networking functions and tours.

20

Tourism Asia | February 2012

News & Views

AirAsia X records highest overall load factor and 45% revenue growth in 2011

AirAsia X continued its growth trajectory in the fourth quarter of 2011, carrying 0.64 million passengers, an increase of 7.3% over the same quarter in 2010, with the same aircraft fleet of 9 Airbus A330s and 2 Airbus A340s. This brings its total passengers carried in 2011 to 2.5 million (up 31.5% from 1.9 million passengers in 2010), and its highest ever full year load factor of 80.1% (up 3.6 percentagepoints from 2010). This was achieved despite a challenging year with natural disasters in Christchurch and Japan, and floods in Queensland that slowed down demand on affected routes.

In terms of passenger traffic, AirAsia X grew by 12.3% to 3.6 billion RevenuePassenger Kms (RPKs) for Q4-2011, and

Tourism Asia | February 2012

finishing the full year at 14.1 billion RPKs, a 36.2% growth from 2010. Total capacity for Q4-2011 grew by 12.2% to 4.4 billion Available-Seat-Kms (ASKs), resulting in a load factor of 82%, and 17.6 billion ASKs for 2011, a 30.0% year-on-year growth.

route network strategy to focus on building a stronger presence in its core markets. The plan will see AirAsia X increase our flight frequencies on existing routes and look at expanding our network further across Asia Pacific.”

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X commented, “AirAsia X was able to achieve positive load factor growth and average fare growth at the same time, on all of its routes that it has operated for at least a full year. With both load factor and average fares growing positively, we were able to achieve a total Revenue of RM1.9 billion in 2011, a 45% growth over 2010.

This demonstrates the resilience of the low-cost long-haul model, and underpins AirAsia X’s recently announced 2012

Cargo operations continues to be strong, with AirAsia X carrying 8,474 tonnes of freight in the fourth quarter and 35,016 tonnes for the year, registering a 31.6% growth from a year ago.

Operationally, even with its high aircraft utilisation model, AirAsia X has been able to produce industry-leading engineering reliability and capping the year with an on-time performance rate of 88% of departures within 15 minutes.

22

News & Views

India promotes Health Tourism at the Gujarat Travel Mart The second edition of the Gujarat Travel Mart started with opening ceremony on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in Ahmadabad, India.

There are several exhibitors from the Indian Hospital sector and the Holistic medicine industry that are marketing their products.

The Indian Ministry of Tourism recently announced that India's Medical Tourism market is growing at an annual rate of 25 per cent and is expected to become a USD two-billion business segment by 2012. Last year 200,000 patients came to India for medical treatment.

The Indian Ministry of Tourism also announced that US$6.5 billion is in the pipeline for the Medical Tourism industry in the country that offers medical facilities using the latest technologies and having

significant cost savings advantages compared to other countries.

Medical treatment costs in India are lower by at least 60-80% when compared to similar procedures in North America and the UK. The costs in India are one- fifth of that of Singapore and half of that of Thailand.

Hosted buyers and media visited touristical places of the region before the event started.

24

Tourism Asia | February 2012

Nesw & Views

GAsia-Pacific Tourism Poised to Record 6 percent Growth for 2011 Preliminary results released today by

each of the months of October and

Growth into the South Asia was supported by a strong performance out of Europe backed up with continued strong expansion out of China and

November 2011. For the first 11

was supported by a strong perfor-

extent of the flooding - realised a gain

months of the year, South Asia was the

mance out of Europe backed up with

of 8% and a loss of 18% in foreign

star growth performer, followed by

continued strong expansion out of

arrivals during October and November

Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the

China and India. Not surprisingly, this

2011 respectively, compared to the

Pacific,

tourism

sub-region is poised to emerge as the

corresponding periods in 2010. This

demand improve albeit at different

fastest growing in the Asia/Pacific

negative effect also continued through

rates of growth. This momentum is

region with a full-year gain expectation

December but at a reduced rate.

expected to continue for the rest of the

of around 11%-12% for 2011.

Thanks to sustained travel demand out

the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show a collective increase of 6% year-on-year for international arrivals into Asia/Pacific1 destinations during

all

of

which

saw

of China in particular, many reporting

year and paves the way for an expected full-year arrivals gain of 5-6% in 2011,

Southeast Asia recorded a relatively

destinations

above the global growth figure of 4%.

slower close on the year with growth of

double-digit

The overall international visitor arrivals

7% and 3% in October and November

ranging from 43% for Vietnam, 26% for

count to the wider Asia Pacific region –

2011 respectively. A number of factors

Myanmar, 20% for the Philippines to

which includes North America - is

were responsible for this result, most

13% for Indonesia. Overall, growth in

expected to reach around 430 million

particularly the flooding that occurred

international arrivals to Southeast Asia

for 2011.

across many destinations. Thailand,

for calendar year 2011 is expected to

although partially impacted by flood-

be around 11%.

Travel demand to South Asia was particularly strong with growth of 15% for the month of October (year-on-

managed growth

in

to

show

November

ing - and a negative perception of the Bisikan Bayu Beach Š Tourism Malaysia

year), however this momentum stalled a little in November when the aggregate gain fell to 9%. With the exception of India, all reporting destinations within

this

sub-region

showed

outstanding results with double-digit growth during the month of November. A number of destinations in the region set new records for monthly foreign visitor volumes including the Maldives (+22%) and Nepal (+17%) in October and Sri Lanka (+26%) in November. Growth into the sub-region

26

Tourism Asia | February 2012

Events MALAYSIA - EVENTS Colour up your holiday in Malaysia with much joy and excitement, as there is always something to check out every month!

Sabah Fest

Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival

Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Colours Of 1Malaysia

Penang International Boat Festival

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

APRIL

• Le Tour De Langkawi

• Pasir Gudang International

• Sabah Fest

Langkawi Island

Cherating Beach, Pahang

Kite Festival

Pasir Gudang, Johor

Sabah

• National Craft Day

Nationwide

MAY • Borneo Jazz

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival

MARCH • Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Kuala Lumpur

• Malaysia GP Sale

Nationwide

• Putrajaya International Hot Air

Balloon Fiesta

Putrajaya

Sabah

• Colours Of 1Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

JUNE • 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival

Nationwide

• Penang International

Dragon Boat Festival

Penang

Tourism Asia | February 2012

29

Events MALAYSIA - EVENTS

National Day celebrations

Rainforest World Music Festival

National Day celebrations

Sarawak Bird Race

LIMA

JULY

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

• Kuala Lumpur Festival

• Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race

• Monsoon Cup

• Rainforest World Music Festival

• Malaysia International Gourmet

• Langkawi Birding and Fotofest

Kuala Lumpur

Kuching, Sarawak

• Georgetown Festival

Penang

• Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival

Putrajaya

AUGUST • National Day

Nationwide

Tourism Asia | February 2012

Kuala Lumpur

Festival

Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Langkawi Island

Nationwide

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

• 1Malaysia Tanglung Tourism Festival

• Malaysia Year-End Sale

• Sarawak Bird Race

• Langkawi International Maritime

Nationwide

Kuching, Sarawak

• Malaysian MotoGP

Nationwide

and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA)

Langkawi Island

Kuala Lumpur

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