ITB Berlin News 2019 - Review Edition

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34 ADVERTORIAL A TOUR OF PLANET EARTH ASIA Malaysia – smiles all around at ITB Berlin 2019 Official Partner Country status at World’s Leading Travel Trade Show - a vital step towards achieving Visit Malaysia 2020 targets H. E. Datuk Mohamaddin Bin Haji Ketapi Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia With a total of 25.8 million international tourists arriving in Malaysia in 2018, ITB Berlin is set to be instrumental in boosting visitor numbers to this exotic, exciting and welcoming destination in line with the nation’s ambitious growth plans. With the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign in the works, Malaysia’s Ministry for Tourism and Culture is targeting arrival figures 30-million and tourist receipts of RM100bn (eds: €21.66bn) by 2020. “I believe Malaysia’s cultural uniqueness is a big draw for the European market,” explained Mohamaddin Bin Haji Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture for Malaysia, adding, “As you may know, Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures with influences from Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicities, as well as from Europe, Arab and the Malay Archipelago. This has resulted in a mixed yet harmonious legacy that manifests itself in Malaysia’s architecture, clothing, language, cuisine and other aspects.” “Malaysia’s breath-taking nature, its warm, welcoming multi-cultural peoples, and its exceptional, varied cuisine, have made it a ‘must’ as a destination in Southeast Asia”, said David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, adding, “Having Malaysia as our Official Partner Country this year will have enhanced ever-soimportant cultural links and will engender more awareness and appreciation, both for us of their culture and traditions, and for them of ours.” Meanwhile, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary- General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), stated: “I wish to congratulate Malaysia on being ITB’s partner country for this year. Malaysia is a founding member of UNWTO and one of its most active members, involved at several levels of the Organization’s activities and governing bodies. Malaysia identified tourism as one of the forefront industries in its economy because of tourism’s great potential in job creation, socio-economic development as well as foreign income generation - tourism is currently the 2nd largest foreign exchange earner.” Visitors to ITB Berlin had the opportunity to experience Malaysia’s architecture, local food and cultural performances. The country’s colourful national cultural troupe showcased an hourlong performance during the Opening Gala, reflecting the beauty and diversity of Malaysian culture and heritage. ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF TOURISM IN MALAYSIA The number of employees involved in Malaysia’s tourism sector rose to 3.4 million in 2017 from 1.5 million in 2005. Employment in the tourism industry contributed 23.2% to total employment in 2017 (2005: 15%). Most of the jobs in the tourism industry were in the retail trade industry (33.7%) and food & beverage serving services (32.3%) respectively. Tourism is also important to Malaysia as it helps to empower the local community economically. Taking the Malaysia Homestay Programme as an example, it offers the local village-folk to take part in offering authentic homestay experiences to tourists. In 2017, the revenue generated from the programme reached RM27.6 million (eds: €5.98m). “The ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ tagline has worked wonders to position our destination’s diversity”, explains the Minister. “It gets the message across that Malaysia is a kaleidoscope of customs, religions, traditions, festivals, heritage, arts and crafts, and cuisines of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and various ethnic group that continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world.” This “Malaysia, Truly Asia” branding continues till today to position Malaysia’s uniqueness. NEW DEVELOPMENTS UNDER WAY Upcoming developments such as Desaru Coast in Johor, and Impression City Melaka, once completed, will bring renewed interest in Malaysia. “We are seeing the industry invigorated by the opening of renowned hotel property brands here,” explains the Minister, adding, “Several established hotel brands have ventured into Malaysia for the first time recently, while some of them are poised to enter the market in the near future. We are pleased that brands such as Double Tree, Hilton, Marriot, Anantara, Westin, Mercure, Sheraton, W, St. Regis, Four Seasons, Hyatt and others see the value of Malaysia for their business expansion and investments” ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 15 th March 2019 www.itb-berlin-news.com
ASIAA TOUR OF PLANET EARTH 35 SELANGOR’S NEW HOST PROGRAMME HERALDS BUSY PERIOD FOR LUSH MALAYSIAN STATE Y.B. Datuk Abdul Rashid Bin Asari Chairman of Standing Commitees for Cultural and Tourism, Malay Tradition and Heritage, State Government of Selangor Maldives press conference at ITB Berlin 2019 Maldives sets out masterplan for tourism expansion Among the many new tourism initiatives being devised by the Malaysian state of Selangor is the Local Community Host Programme, says Y.B. Datuk Abdul Rashid Bin Asari, Chairman of Standing Commitees for Cultural and Tourism, Malay Tradition and Heritage, State Government of Selangor. “This is a specialised training programme for individuals to become tour guides for visitors, with inclusivity as a guiding principle for sustainable growth and development in tourism.” The programme is very timely give all of the new tourism initiatives and attractions coming online –not least the Visit Sepang 2020 campaign. “As part of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2050, the Sepang Municipal Council will be one of the pilot districts to initiate the Special Tourism Investment Zone (STIZ),” says Datuk Abdul Rashid Bin Asari. “This designated zone will be equipped with world class tourism events and tourist convenience. Various activities will be carried out throughout the year including a celebration of Visit Sepang Year, with a 10 million goal of visitors coming into Sepang.” In addition to the main existing attractions that are already being promoted, there are also some new upcoming attractions such as: Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor, Royal Klang Heritage Walk, Selangor Fruits Valley, Tanjung Sepat, Gua Damai Extreme Park, Kajang Heritage Park and a host of newly-opened hotels. Hon. Amirudin Shari says: “Familiarisation tours for foreign tour operators and media members are ongoing to create awareness of these new products and attract more visitors to the state. Tourism Selangor also promotes these places at trade fairs and includes them in product presentations.” In terms of key selling points for Selangor, Datuk Abdul Rashid Bin Asari says the state is an important gateway to Malaysia because it is home to a busy port and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which recorded 53 million visitors in 2017. He also says “ecotourism plays an important role for Selangor. Conservation and preservation efforts are ongoing to protect the tropical forests and wildlife” A senior delegation from The Maldive Islands gave ITB Berlin delegates an upbeat assessment of the island nation’s international tourism prospects at a Wednesday press conference. Thoyyib Mohamed, Managing Director at Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, said 1.4 million tourists visited in 2018, up 6.8% on the previous year. With plans for more resorts to be built across the Indian Ocean archipelago, he is projecting further growth to 1.5 million in 2019 – with figures from January 2019 suggesting the country is on track to hit its target. Mohamed said the tourism industry is promoting itself as a destination for more than just honeymoons – by targeting areas like adventure, fun, spiritual and MICE tourism. He also made special reference to the German market, saying: “Germans are very close to the heart of the Maldives. They remain an important market for us, with 14% year on year growth.” Industry pioneer Hussain Afeef said the Maldives Islands attract an extremely diverse visitor base: “It is not only Europeans who come, but a growing number of Asians. Another positive is growth from the South African market, which is a significant development for the economy in the South of our country.” South Africa is also becoming an important gateway for Latin American visitors who want to visit The Maldives, Afeef said. Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed said the government has set out a strong sustainable masterplan to drive tourism growth while also “cherishing culture and protecting the environment”. The country’s new Tourism Development Plan identifies five zones that are being developed as different destinations – along the lines outlined by Mohamed. THE COUNTRY’S NEW TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN IDENTIFIES FIVE ZONES THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED AS DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS In addition, a new Decentralisation Act has given extra powers to local councils while developments are taking place at Velana International Airport. To mitigate the impact of tourism growth there is a green tax to fund environmental initiatives ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 15 th March 2019
Page 1: FRIDAY 15 TH MARCH 2019 REVIEW EDIT
Page 7 and 8: BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEWS 7 Dr Christi
Page 9 and 10: NEWS 9 ADVERTORIAL Official “Hand
Page 11 and 12: BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEWS 11 Delicious
Page 13 and 14: BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEWS 13 Launching
Page 15 and 16: BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEWS 15 MESSE BER
Page 17 and 18: BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEWS 17 BLOGGERS
Page 19: 19 BROUGHT TO YOU BY Arie Linsker C
Page 22 and 23: 22 BROUGHT TO YOU BY Agio Aminah Di
Page 24 and 25: 24 Wellness tourism enjoying growth
Page 27 and 28: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 27 Ahmed Bin Na
Page 29 and 30: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 29 New tourism
Page 31 and 32: STAND OUT STANDS AROUND THE WORLD 3
Page 33: STAND OUT STANDS AROUND THE WORLD 3
Page 37 and 38: ASIA A TOUR OF PLANET EARTH 37 TOUR
Page 39 and 40: OCEANIA A TOUR OF PLANET EARTH 39 N
Page 41 and 42: EUROPE A TOUR OF PLANET EARTH 41 Fr
Page 43 and 44: AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN REGION 43 Enri
Page 45 and 46: AFRICA REGION 45 South Africa heral

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