EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
MALAYSIA
EVEN GREATER VALUE FOR MONEY
THANKS TO EXCHANGE RATE
The South East Asian tropical paradise is growing as a “winter
getaway” destination for European travellers
We asked Abdul RahimHaron, Director
of Tourism Malaysia (France, Spain and
Portugal), what makes Malaysia such
a great value for money destination…
The currency exchange rate against the
euro offers more value for each euro spent
against the Malaysian Ringgit. Hence,
visitors enjoy spending in hotels, restaurant
shopping, food, rental of private villas,
boats and visits to various places with the
attractive exchange rate. Hotel rates are
also comparatively very low.
How is event tourism growing in
importance for Malaysia?
Sports Tourism in the country is getting
attention globally from events such
as international marathons, mountain
climbing, diving, golfing, biking/cycling,
motor sports, sailing and regattas. Leisure
groups and incentives are including sports
into their activities or programmes. The
country also hosts world’s best sporting
events like the Petronas Formula 1 GP and
the Motorcycle Grand Prix as well as the
Ironman challenge in Langkawi, which
will happen on November 12, and the
Langkawi Regatta.
Whilemany think increasingly of Sabah
and the peninsula as destinations,
Kuala Lumpur is increasingly popular.
What are its main “USPs”?
Kuala Lumpur is a diverse capital city,
full of contrasts. Urban tourism is on the
rise as new generation travellers seek
combinations of stay experience including
city stays. The capital city of Kuala Lumpur
is gateway to many other destinations in
the country. It is home to the world’s tallest
twin towers the iconic structure that places
Malaysia well in the international map.
Kuala Lumpur is multi-cultural, the city
recently introduced the KL Pass that
allows travellers the convenience to visit
the multiple attractions in the city; sky
dining venues like Marini’s on 57, Skybar
at Traders, Troika, with magnificent views
of Kuala Lumpur, the hop-on hop-off bus
that allows visitors to see the many places
of attractions in the city. KL is connected by
an express train (ERL) from KL International
Airport in just 30 minutes, is 1 hour away
from the historical city of Melaka and Port
Dickson and 2 hours away to Pangkor
Island and Taman Negara (National Park)
•
Abdul Rahim
Haron
Director, Tourism Malaysia
(France, Spain and Portugal)
SkyCab Langkawi
SMART
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