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ETP ANNUAL REPORT 2011
EPP 9a
The spa industry in Malaysia has experienced rapid growth in the
region for the last five years. However there is currently a shortage
of local spa therapists and a need to better regulate the spa
industry.
Achievements
The Ministry of Tourism awarded the Centre of Excellence (COE)
status to Energy Academy and Stella-In Beauty Academy in August
and October 2011 respectively. These COEs will serve as training
centres to produce locally trained therapists for the spa industry.
In July 2011, the National Spa Council was established to provide
a platform for Government authorities and the spa industry to
discuss and resolve issues pertaining to the industry. The Council
comprises representatives from the private and public sectors as
well as industry professionals within the country.
Since its establishment, the Council has developed an official
accreditation criteria to rate spas. To date, 249 spas have been
rated, of which 58 spas were given a four-star or five-star rating.
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Developing Local Expertise and
Better Regulating the Spa Industry
EPP 9b Golf Tourism
Golf tourism in Malaysia is relatively under-tapped. The sector is
poised to grow through concerted efforts in enhancing product
delivery to target the high yield segment. The strategy is to work
closely with the private sector to develop and propel golf tourism.
Achievements
The Malaysian Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) comprising
members from golf club operators, tour operators and airlines,
was formed in March 2011. The Association aims to develop and
implement programs to boost the number of golfers visiting
Malaysia. The association’s website (www.GolfTourismMalaysia.
com) features a listing of tourist-friendly golf clubs, resorts, tourist
attractions, international events and latest golf updates.
Golf clubs in Malaysia with courses which are of high standard
and equipped with well-maintained facilities are audited by the
International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) and those
meeting the audit standards are classified as export-ready clubs. To
date, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
has certified 25 golf clubs in Malaysia as being tourist-friendly and
export-ready. These clubs are being actively promoted by MGTA
via international golf seminars, tour operators’ familiarization visits
as well as during international golf conventions. The IAGTO has
also provided MGTA with the Golf Traveller tracking software,
which is available to members of MGTA. This software will assist
members to monitor the number of golfers coming to Malaysia.
COEs serve as training centres to produce trained spa therapists
Moving Forward
COEs will be focusing on producing local therapists for the spa
industry in Malaysia. Steps will also be taken to improve the spa
training syllabus for Levels 1 to 3 of the National Occupational
Skills Standard (NOSS) for Spa Therapists.
Moving Forward
The MGTA will continue to work with IAGTO to get more golf
clubs in Malaysia to be certified as export-ready. Efforts will be
stepped up to promote Malaysia as a major golfing destination.
In this respect, promotions will leverage on the first IAGTO Asia
Golf Tourism Convention that will be held in April 2012 at Kuala
Lumpur to feature Malaysia’s golf tourism offerings. About 127 golf
tour operator companies from 39 countries will be participating in
this event.
The Malaysian Golf Tourism Association was formed in March 2011