Malaysia, several times over.
The country took home seven--by far the most-- Asian awards at the World Travel Awards 2009’s regional finals gala ceremony this past Saturday. Tonight, the final winners will be announced; who will have the best travel brand in the world?
The competition often dubbed the "'Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry" varies in award areas from airlines and resorts to marketing and design. Malaysia won Asia’s Leading Casino Resort, Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign, Asia’s Leading Airline, Asia’s Leading Family Resort, Asia’s Leading City Hotel, Asia’s Leading Design Hotel and numerous individual-country awards.
These Awards are the highest and most prized in all of the tourist industry. They are determined by tourism professionals from over 160 countries. Way to go, Malaysia!
Chief operating officer Datuk Lee Choong Yan on Malaysia's performance:
"I am confident these awards will help Malaysia enhance its reputation in the tourism industry and attract more visitors to our resort and the country."
While the country is certainly beautiful and has amply spacial supply for recreational tourism (not to mention medical, etc.) Malaysia may need to create as stable and reliable environment outside as those provided within these protective oases in order to ensure continuing growth.
Up for debate is whether tourists finding themselves in a boat with Bourdain a day's journey up-river is a possible option . . .
by: Calaya
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Saudi-Malaysian Joint Venture Announced
by Jeff Gimm
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak recently announced a $2.5 billion joint venture between his country and Saudi Arabia. Malaysia will provide $1 billion for the venture with Saudi Arabia covering the rest. The venture will begin investing in oil and gas, along with alternative energies and real estate in Malaysia. Prime Minister Razak also mentioned that more investments similar to this would be coming from Saudi Arabia along with other countries in the Middle East the have a capital surplus.
This joint venture speaks to several things. The first being that Najib Razak's comments recently about the need for Malaysia and other Muslim countries to start working together may not just be empty words. But also that Malaysia will continue as a rising economic power in the region.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak recently announced a $2.5 billion joint venture between his country and Saudi Arabia. Malaysia will provide $1 billion for the venture with Saudi Arabia covering the rest. The venture will begin investing in oil and gas, along with alternative energies and real estate in Malaysia. Prime Minister Razak also mentioned that more investments similar to this would be coming from Saudi Arabia along with other countries in the Middle East the have a capital surplus.
This joint venture speaks to several things. The first being that Najib Razak's comments recently about the need for Malaysia and other Muslim countries to start working together may not just be empty words. But also that Malaysia will continue as a rising economic power in the region.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Women feichang xihuan zhongguo! [We really like China!]; Golden Week & Malaysia's nod of Approval
Source: Xinhuanet
The week of Oct 1 is always a joyous time in China. Known as Golden Week, it is one of three week-long holidays throughout the year where students get a break from school and workers from their jobs. Everyone travels to their hometowns to spend time with family and/or visit historical sites and cities. It's importance surrounds the first of the month; the birthday of the PRC. This year, communist China turns 60.
Not only are our own ethnic Chinese of Chicago celebrating this historic event, but in addition so is Malaysia.
As posted early in this blog, Malaysia wants to keep ties with its ally friendly and close. The country has gone about this in numerous ways. Majid Ahmad Khan, former Malaysian ambassador to China and current president of Malaysia-China Friendship Association (MCFA), said:
"I hope, for many years to come, the Malaysia-China relation will go stronger and stronger, particularly in economic relations and diplomacy, as well as in our regional understanding . . . I would like to take this opportunity to convey, on behalf of our association, the heartiest congratulations to the people and government of China for the excellent achievements."
He added one of the greatest accomplishments of China to date has been the country's ability to drastically lower the poverty rate. While this may be the case for both China and Malaysia, critics state human rights abuse still has a long road ahead.
by: Calaya Van Dreel
The week of Oct 1 is always a joyous time in China. Known as Golden Week, it is one of three week-long holidays throughout the year where students get a break from school and workers from their jobs. Everyone travels to their hometowns to spend time with family and/or visit historical sites and cities. It's importance surrounds the first of the month; the birthday of the PRC. This year, communist China turns 60.
Not only are our own ethnic Chinese of Chicago celebrating this historic event, but in addition so is Malaysia.
As posted early in this blog, Malaysia wants to keep ties with its ally friendly and close. The country has gone about this in numerous ways. Majid Ahmad Khan, former Malaysian ambassador to China and current president of Malaysia-China Friendship Association (MCFA), said:
"I hope, for many years to come, the Malaysia-China relation will go stronger and stronger, particularly in economic relations and diplomacy, as well as in our regional understanding . . . I would like to take this opportunity to convey, on behalf of our association, the heartiest congratulations to the people and government of China for the excellent achievements."
He added one of the greatest accomplishments of China to date has been the country's ability to drastically lower the poverty rate. While this may be the case for both China and Malaysia, critics state human rights abuse still has a long road ahead.
by: Calaya Van Dreel
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rice Bowl project of Sarawak
Malaysia's Sarawak region is gearing up in an attempt to raise rice production rates. The plan is two fold. One, already existing paddies must increase product output. Two, a new area will be designated as a major rice bowl region. Besides rice, other crops will be introduced into the area including maize. Maintaining irrigation infrastructure and the use of pesticides and fertilizer are a few of the seven main activities of rice production aimed at by the proposal.
The end goal is to raise Malaysia's self-sufficiency level (SSL) from its current 72% to 86%.
While this all may seem mundane and run-of-the-mill information, what interested me the most in this article was the following quote by Deputy of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim:
"This rice bowl project is very crucial and must be carried out for the sake of the country's security."
I can understand the need to develop self-sufficiency levels in rice production in order to feed people and increase trade potentiality. However, how that relates to national security alludes me.
One must takes this quote seriously, for it is reflected in the program's cost.
The minister stated that the federal government had given RM161 million to the state government for the project. RM20 million of that is for the development of the new rice padi in Sarawak.
Full article:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=441669
by: Calaya
The end goal is to raise Malaysia's self-sufficiency level (SSL) from its current 72% to 86%.
While this all may seem mundane and run-of-the-mill information, what interested me the most in this article was the following quote by Deputy of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim:
"This rice bowl project is very crucial and must be carried out for the sake of the country's security."
I can understand the need to develop self-sufficiency levels in rice production in order to feed people and increase trade potentiality. However, how that relates to national security alludes me.
One must takes this quote seriously, for it is reflected in the program's cost.
The minister stated that the federal government had given RM161 million to the state government for the project. RM20 million of that is for the development of the new rice padi in Sarawak.
Full article:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=441669
by: Calaya
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Eid Mubarak!
By: Calaya
Eid Mubarak!
On the 29th day of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, the last iftar [break of fast after sundown] is known as Eid al-Fitr ; Eid for short. It is probably one of the most important holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. Due to the Islamic calendar being 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan rotates along with the holidays celebrated within it. This year, Eid fell on September 20th. Some countries celebrated Eid today but others are waiting for tomorrow. In Malaysia, the morning begins with prayer as on other days during the month. After this is finished, family graves are visited and surahs and prayers are said for the deceased. All in all, it is a very joyous celebration for family members to enjoy each other's company and great food.
One downside to it being a major family holiday is the resulting mass movement of people. In neighboring Indonesia over 500 people were killed last year due to the number of Indonesians crowding the roads.
Here are a few websites displaying first, Eid around the world and second just in Malaysia. [It seems the King and Queen received some amazing cakes at the Palace for the festivities...]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8265562.stm
http://www.demotix.com/search/context/location/Malaysia
Eid Mubarak!
On the 29th day of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, the last iftar [break of fast after sundown] is known as Eid al-Fitr ; Eid for short. It is probably one of the most important holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. Due to the Islamic calendar being 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan rotates along with the holidays celebrated within it. This year, Eid fell on September 20th. Some countries celebrated Eid today but others are waiting for tomorrow. In Malaysia, the morning begins with prayer as on other days during the month. After this is finished, family graves are visited and surahs and prayers are said for the deceased. All in all, it is a very joyous celebration for family members to enjoy each other's company and great food.
One downside to it being a major family holiday is the resulting mass movement of people. In neighboring Indonesia over 500 people were killed last year due to the number of Indonesians crowding the roads.
Here are a few websites displaying first, Eid around the world and second just in Malaysia. [It seems the King and Queen received some amazing cakes at the Palace for the festivities...]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8265562.stm
http://www.demotix.com/search/context/location/Malaysia
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