Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Tourism Malaysia Launches Free Malaysia Amaze-Ya! app

Tourism Malaysia Australia launched a free smartphone app at the start of August called Malaysia Amaze-Ya!, providing travellers with a list of the best places to explore, eat, shop and stay in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Penang. The app is available for both iPhone and android users and provides contact details, weather forecasts and detailed Google street maps.

To celebrate the launch of the new smart phone app, Tourism Malaysia, in partnership with Air Asia X, Traders Hotel and Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort, ran a competition on the Tourism Malaysia Australia page, www.facebook.com/tourismmalaysiaaustralia. The Malaysia Amaze-Ya! app is available to download for free at iTunes and Google Play. 

Macquarie Community College to offer Malay language course

An eight week beginner’s language course on ‘Malay for Travellers’ will be held at the Macquarie Community College from 17 October 2012 to 5 December 2012. The language course costs $180 and classes will take place between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at the Brush Farm Campus, Eastwood. For more information visit:  http://www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au/course/MFT.

Malay language course held at WEA Sydney

A nine week ‘Malay for Travellers’ language course will be on offer at the WEA Sydney from 18 October 2012 to 13 December 2012. Classes will take place between 5.30pm and 7.00pm and the total cost of the course is $203, or $183 for concessions.

Malaysian hotels shine in SmartTravelAsia.com 2012 best in Travel Poll

Several Malaysian Hotels have achieved positive rankings in the recent annual SmartTravelAsia.com 2012 Best in Travel poll. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur were listed in the “Top 25 Business Hotels in Asia” category. Adding to success, the Mandarin Oriental also ranked ninth for “Top 25 Conference Hotels in Asia”, tying with Grand Hyatt Beijing and The Peninsula Hong Kong.

Among the “Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts in Asia” were Malaysia’s Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Penang, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa in Kota Kinabalu and Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang.

Adventure World Roadshows

Tourism Malaysia highlighted its beautiful East Coast and the nearby islands of Perhentian, Redang and Tioman at the recent Adventure World Roadshows. The region is less know to Australians and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and rainforests in South East Asia. The area is abundant in marine life and is excellent for snorkelling, diving and kayaking. The coastal towns and cities are thriving centres of traditional arts and crafts with some hidden gems like Chinatown in Kuala Terengganu.

Tourism Malaysia Marketing Manager Peter Power highlighted to trade representatives the appeal of visiting Malaysia’s East Coast during Australia’s winter, as an alternative to traditional destinations. Guests were served delicious servings of Gado Gado courtesy of tourism Malaysia and Ayam.

Property and Product Updates

Harrods Hotel Development to Debut in KL

Upmarket London-based retailer Harrods of Knightsbridge recently announced that it has chosen Asia for the flagship development of its expansion into the hotel sector. The USD$634 million development will occur on a site within the “Golden Triangle” shopping district of Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, close to the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall. The hotel will house up to 300 hotel rooms, as well as apartments and retail space.

Kuala Lumpur’s Suria KLCC shopping district transformed with lights
Malaysia's premier shopping district has been transformed into a dazzling world of illuminations and music with the newly-launched Bukit Bintang KLCC (BBKLCC) street lights. The series of decorative lights line the streets from Suria KLCC, Pavilion KL and Sungei Wang Plaza to Berjaya Times Square, adding enticement to the area for locals and visitors alike.

The project includes two archways at Bukit Bintang and KLCC, a lighted fountain design at Berjaya Times Square and chandelier-designed lights at lamp posts along the roads.

Treetops Hotel to open in Penang
Believed to be the first of its kind in Asia, the ‘Treetops Hotel’ will soon open in Penang, which will include 300 units of tree houses, designed to immerse guests in the nature around them.

Treetops Hotel is expected to be completed in approximately four years’ time and is part of the Escape Theme Park in Teluk Bahang, which is set to open its doors to the public in October. The park will enable parents and children to enjoy an outdoor experience, with most of the activities planned around nature, including: rope courses, tree climbing, jump tower, tubby racer and fox burrows.

Johor to set to become Malaysia’s ‘Theme Park Capital’ as Legoland opens its doors
Johor is poised to become Malaysia’s ‘Theme Park Capital’ when Asia’s first Legoland theme park opens on September 15 in Iskandar Malaysia. The RM750 million attraction will engage families with a unique mix of kid-powered rides, building challenges, spectacular Lego models, interactive attractions, family-friendly coasters and interactive shows.

Family theme park Puteri Harbour is also set to open in Iskander Malaysia in November. The theme park will feature popular animation characters such as Hello Kitty, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Pingu and Thomas and Friends.

Best Western International to grow Malaysian portfolio from 5-20
Best Western international is planning to grow its Malaysia portfolio from the current five hotels to 20 properties by 2015. The hotels will comprise six under the company’s Best Western Premier banner, eight under Best Western Plus, and six branded as Best Westerns. The 364-room Best Western Premier Dua Sentral recently opened in Kuala Lumpur and the Best Western Premier The Haven will open be the next to open, in Ipoh, Perak next year.

Malaysia opens its first Grand Hyatt
Malaysia’s first Grand Hyatt, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, has opened. The 42-suite hotel offers some of the largest rooms on the market, starting at 47m2. The establishment is centrally located next to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and within walking distance of the Petronas Twin Towers and the Golden Triangle shopping area.

The hotel boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, high-speed wireless Internet connectivity and a docking station for MP3 players. There are also three dining options, THIRTY8, a restaurant serving international cuisine; JP teres, featuring Malaysian dishes, and Poolside, an alfresco outlet offering international and local favourites.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary considering volunteer program
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in Lanchang is considering starting an elephant volunteer program. The program, which is still in the discussion stages, will allow people to interact with the animals and trek into the nearby jungle during the elephants' morning walks.
Participants will also be invited to take part in other activities, including bird watching and visiting the nearby Che' Wong Orang Asli settlement, which is home to the oldest Orang Asli community in the country.

Double Tree adds third hotel in Malaysia
The DoubleTree by Hilton in Johor Bahru is scheduled to open mid-2014.The hotel will offer 350 guest rooms and 15 serviced apartments, an all-day dining restaurant, a deli café, two bars, a business centre, a fitness centre, swimming pool and meeting rooms. The hotel offers convenient access to attractions including the Sultan Ibrahim Building, Chinese temples, Little India and the Johor Bahru International Convention Center.

Events

TEXTILE CRAFT PROMOTION
Location: Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex, Kuala Lumpur
Dates: 27 September 2012 - 08 October 2012
The textile Craft Promotion provides a showcase of beautiful Malaysian textiles, like batik and other materials. Visitors are invited to browse through the various textiles and visit the special exhibitions and demonstrations.

LANTERN FESTIVAL
Location: Central Market, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 29 September 2012

The Lantern Festival, or the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival, traditionally signifies the end of the harvest season. Malaysian Chinese homes celebrate with family get-togethers, prayers, and mooncakes, while kids present their latest lantern designs. Malls and landmarks in the city like Petaling Street are decorated with thousands of lit lanterns, and various activities take place, adding to a festive atmosphere.

FABULOUS FOOD1 MALAYSIA – MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL

Location: Kuala Lumpur
Date: 1 October 2012 - 31 October 2012

Gourmet restaurants and top chefs unite to create a variety of special dishes and delicacies with quality ingredients. Travellers and locals alike are invited to savour authentic and delicious culinary creations.

19TH MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY FESTIVAL 2012-AUTUMN EDITION

Location: KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 5 October 2012 - 8 October 2012

This highly anticipated affair showcases the jewellery of over 100 jewellers who feature their collections in the exhibition.
MALAYSIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX
Location: Sepang International Circuit, Selangor
Date: 19 October - 21 October

The world’s best motorcycle riders come together at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which is held over three days.

MT KINABALU INTERNATIONAL CLIMBATHON
Location: Ranau, Sabah
Date: 20 October - 21 October

The mountain race tests the endurance of top runners from across the globe as they take on the 23km course. The Climbathon is part of the Sky Runners World Series Circuit for the 9th consecutive year and invites participants to gather points in the hope of winning the title of the series world champion.