WORLD TOURISM CONFERENCE

WORLD TOURISM CONFERENCE
-Global Tourism: Game changers and pace setters-
Melaka, Malaysia, 21-23 October 2013
1. Venue
GENERAL INFORMATION NOTE
The World Tourism Conference 2013 (WTC 2013) will take place at The Equatorial Hotel, Melaka,
Malaysia on 21-23 October 2013
2. Malaysia in Brief
HOTEL EQUATORIAL MELAKA
Bandar Hilir
75000 Melaka
Malaysia
Tel: +60 6 282 8333 /+60 6 282 8333
Fax: +60 6 282 9333
Email: info@mel.equatorial.com
Web: www.equatorial.com/mel/
Country : Malaysia
Malaysia is a country with fascinating people and
enthralling range of attractions. Its three major races,
the Malays, Chinese and Indians, along with the ethnic
traditions of the Kadazan, Dusun, Iban and many more
in East Malaysia, make up the delightful multicultural
fabric of Malaysia. The potpourri is enriched further with
the influence of the British, Portuguese, Dutch and
Thais.
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Capital City : Kuala Lumpur
Area : 329,758 sq km
Population : 26 million
The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular
Malaysia; made up of 11 states; three federal territories
and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo.
Language : Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but
English is widely spoken.
Religion : Islam is the official religion but all other religions are
practised freely.
Climate : Tropical climate with warm weather all year round.
Temperatures range from 21 o C to 32 o C. Annual rainfall
varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.
Time : Eight hours ahead of GMT (GMT+8) and 16 hours
ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.
Tipping : Most hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge
and 5% government sales tax on bills and tipping is not
customary. However, should you want to show your
appreciation for good service, a small tip will suffice.
Shopping : All purchases are done in Malaysian Ringgit (RM).
Major credit cards are accepted in most dining and
retail outlets. Hypermarkets, supermarkets and most
retail outlets have fixed prices for their goods, which are
displayed on the products. However, bargaining is
acceptable at selected retail outlets and is most
common at night markets (pasar malam), or at bazaars.
Shopping centres operate from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm
with extended hours during sales and festive seasons.
Dining : Most eateries operate until late night. However,
selected eateries are open 24 hours. Most Malaysians
enjoy their meals using their fingers and adventurous
visitors may choose to do so. However, it is perfectly
normal to request cutlery set.
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Insurance : Visitors are advised to obtain adequate insurance
coverage before travelling to Malaysia.
Getting There : The state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) is the main gateway into the country. The newlyopened
Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) is situated
20km from the main terminal building.
Getting Around : The country has a well-developed and efficient and
public transportation system served by buses, taxis and
trains. In Kuala Lumpur, the Putra and STAR Light rail
Transit (LRT), KL Monorail and KTM Komuter trains
provide regular and hassle-free accessibility within the
city as well as to several outlying towns. The KL
Sentral Station, situated 1.5km from the city center, is a
modern transportation hub where various modes of
transportation converge. Car rental agencies can be
found in most cities around the country.
Taxis : In Kuala Lumpur, taxi fares are based on a metered
rate and are available 24 hours a day. The flag-off rate
is RM3.00 and 10 cents is charged for every
subsequent 100metres. Extra charges apply for
services after midnight or for services booked by phone.
Buses : In Kuala Lumpur, bus services such as RapidKL, City
Liner and Metrobus ply a network of routes. Feeder
buses are available from LRT stations to designated
surrounding areas. There is also an airport coach
service which connects KLIA to the Jalan Duta Bus
Terminal and Chan Sow Lin LRT Station in Kuala
Lumpur. There is also a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus service
provided in Kuala Lumpur.
KTM Rail Services : The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway
offers a well-connected rail network to all states in
Peninsular Malaysia as well as neighbouring countries.
Tickets can be purchased at KL Sentral.
KLIA Ekspres and KLIA
Transit
: The KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit are the fastest
modes of transport that ply between the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, and the city. A
non-stop 28-minute ride on the KLIA Ekspres will
connect you from the airport to the KL City Air Terminal
(KLCAT) at the KL Sentral Station of one way ticket
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cost RM35.00. This state-of-the-art transportation hub
offers flight and baggage check in services for Malaysia
Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Royal Brunei Airlines.
Currency : Exchange rate - the official Malaysian currency is
Ringgit (RM) with the USD rate of exchange around 1
USD = 3.3 RM. Please refer to the Central Bank of
Malaysia’s website http://www.bnm.gov.my for the latest
exchange rate.
Safety : Malaysia is a relatively safe country. However, visitors
are advised to take certain precautionary measures to
ensure their safety.
Electricity : Voltage is 220-240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
3. Fast Facts on Melaka
Area : 1,656.27 km 2
Capital : Melaka Tengah
Population : 830,900
Climate : Tropical rainforest climate with hot and humid weather all
year round. Annual rainfall varies from 1,850 mm to 2,000
mm.
Average Temperature : Temperatures range from 27 o C to 35 o C
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Local Time : Standard Malaysian Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+8)
Language : Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English,
Mandarin and some Chinese dialects are widely spoken.
People : Malays (majority)
Chinese; including the Peranakan community
Indians; including the Chitty people
Portuguese ancestry; a small community
Tourism : Renowned for Culture, Historical and Heritage.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Most tourist attractions are concentrated in the city centre
Shopping : As for tipping; food and beverages in exclusive restaurants,
cafes and clubs, as well as accommodations normally include
5% service charges. Tipping is not obligatory in most places.
Currency : Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
4. Visa Requirements
Travelers’ cheque and foreign currencies can be changed for
Malaysian Ringgit at banks and hotels. However there are
also money changer kiosks available at major shopping
complexes and airport. Most major hotels charge a nominal
fee for currency conversion.
Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a validity of
six months beyond the period of stay.
Countries That Requires Visa:
Afghanistan (Visa With Reference), Angola, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central
African Republic, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo
Republic, Cote D'ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau,
Hong Kong (C/I or D/I), India, Liberia, Mali, Myanmar (normal passport), Nepal, Niger,
Rwanda, Serbia & Montenegro, Taiwan, United Nations (Laissez Passer), Western Sahara
Commonwealth Countries That Requires Visa:
Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
For further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian Mission or Tourism Malaysia
office in your country. Alternatively, please log-on to www.kln.gov.my or www.imi.gov.my
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5. Customs Regulations and Procedures
The host country has informed the Malaysian Customs and Immigration to facilitate customs and
entry procedures for all participants. For further information on Malaysian customs regulation,
dutiable and prohibited items can be obtained from the nearest Malaysian Embassy or Consulate in
your country. Visitors are advised to fill in Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking.
6. Health Information
6.1 Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required from all visitors or delegates
(Malaysians and Foreigners) coming from or going to/through countries with risk of
Yellow Fever transmission (As stated in International Health Regulations 2005 and
Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988).
Yellow fever vaccination is also required for travellers having transited more than 12
hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Travellers or delegates without a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate shall be
quarantined upon arrival in Malaysia for a period not exceeding 6 days.
The period of validity of an international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever
is 10 years, beginning 10 days after the date of vaccination.
If a person is revaccinated before the end of this period, the validity is extended for a
further 10 years from the date of vaccination.
If the revaccination is recorded on a new certificate, travellers or delegates are advised
to retain the old certificate for 10 days until the new certificate becomes valid.
6.2 Countries with Risk of Yellow Fever Transmission
6.2.1 South & Central America (13 countries)
Argentina French Suriname
Brazil Guyana Trinidad & Tobago
Bolivia Panama Venezuela
Colombia
Paraguay
Equador
Peru
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6.2.2 Africa (29 countries)
Angola Gabon Mauritania
Benin Gambia Niger
Burkina Faso Ghana Nigeria
Burundi Guinea Rwanda
Cameroon Guinea Bissau Senegal
Central Africa Republic Guinea Equat Sierra Leone
Chad Ivory Coast Sudan
Congo Kenya Togo
Democratic Republic of Liberia
Uganda
Congo
Ethiopia
Mali
Note: The list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission will be updated by
Ministry of Health Malaysia regularly based on WHO list.
For further information, please visit the Ministry of Health Malaysia website at
http://www.moh.gov.my.
7. Request to bring in firearms
7.1 For delegates intending to bring in firearms either by themselves or carried by those
accompanying him, are required to apply for an interim license to bring in firearms into
Malaysia. Application is to be sent to the Malaysian Embassy/ High Commission/
Honorary Consul in each respective home country prior to departure for Malaysia.
8. Official language
The official language of the conference is English.
9. Clothing
Participants are advised to bring light cotton wear and light suits. Business attires are required at
official meetings.
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10. Accommodation
Discounted room rates for International Delegates are available at the following hotels:-
INTERNATIONAL
DELEGATES
HOTEL NAME
HATTEN HOTEL,
MELAKA (4 star)
EQUATORIAL HOTEL
MELAKA (5 star)
EQUATORIAL HOTEL
MELAKA (5 star)
EQUATORIAL HOTEL
MELAKA (5 star)
ROOM
TYPE
Normal
Sgl/Dbl/Twn
Room Rate
Discounted Rates
Single occupancy and
double occupancy
(spouse
complimentary).
Breakfasts and taxes
included.
3
Nights
4
Nights
5
Nights
Discounted Rates
Twin or double
occupancy (codelegate)
for 2
delegates. Breakfasts
and taxes included.
3
Nights
4
Nights
5
Nights
SUPERIOR RM348 nett 1028 1197 1418 1328 1497 1718
DELUXE RM499 nett 1475 1764 2126 1775 2064 2426
PREMIER RM557 nett 1667 2008 2431 1967 2308 2731
CLUB RM604 nett 1780 2150 2609 2180 2450 2909
11. Technical Tour
Technical Tour courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia will be provided for
interested participants on 23 October 2013. This complimentary tour is available on a first-come
first-served basis due to limited capacity. There are three options for technical tour:
a) Homestay;
b) Historical walk; or
c) Melaka River Cruise
Pre or post conference tours in Malaysia are also offered to all participants at a special conference
package. The details of the tours offered are available at www.wtc2013malaysia.com.
Please contact the official travel agent for more information or booking.
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CONTACT US
For further information, please contact the following conference coordinators:
Ms. ZARINA Md. Yusuf
Ms. Christine BREW
Strategic Planning and International
Senior Programme Assistant
Affairs Division
Regional Programme for Asia
Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia
and the Pacific
13 th Floor, No. 2 Tower 1, Jalan P5/6 Precint 5 World Tourism Organization
62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia C/Capitάn Haya 42, 28020 Madrid
Tel : +603-8891 7402 Spain
Fax : +603-8891 7365 Tel : (34-91) 567 8192
E-mail : zarina@motour.gov.my Fax : (34-91) 5713733
E-mail : cbrew@untwo.org
Mr. LEE Choon Loong
DISCOVERYMICE
48B, Jalan Memanda 9, Ampang Point,
Ampang, 68000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel : +603-42574688/ 4253 3688
Fax : +603-4252 2689
Email : enquiries@discoverymice.com / LeeChoonLoong@discoverymice.com/
registration@WTC2013Malaysia.com
REGISTRATION
All invitees to the WTC2013 are kindly requested to register before 15 September 2013 through:
2.1 Online registration at www.wtc2013malaysia.com
2.2 Manual registrations by filling in the registration form attached and post/fax/email
to details below:
Strategic Planning and International Affairs Division
Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia
Level 13, No.2 Tower 1
Jalan P5/6 Presint 5
62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Tel : +603-8891 7402/7403/7404
Fax : +603-8891 7365
Email : wtc2013@motour.gov.my
Contact Persons :
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Ms Zarina Md Yusuf
Ms. Nurul Huda Hassan

The registration desk for the conference will be open at the Equatorial Hotel, Melaka on 20 October
2013 (9.00am-6.00pm) and 21 October 2013 (8.30am-9.30am). Name tags and documents will be
issued at the time of registration.
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