MELAKA EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 10 MILLION VISITORS IN 2010

November 25, 2010 15:44 PM

Melaka Expected To Receive 10 Million Tourists In 2010

MELAKA, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- For the first time, Melaka is expected to receive as many as 10 million tourists compared with 8.9 million last year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said up to October this year, the historical state had received 7.8 million tourist arrivals and another 2.2 million were expected in November and December.

"The number of tourists has risen considerably since Melaka was declared a World Heritage Site in July 2008," he said in his speech at the 'Session with Eminent Personalities' organised by the Institute of Management and Integrity, Melaka (Inspim) at a hotel, here, Wednesday night.

Also present was Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, as the guest-of-honour.

Mohd Ali also said that the Melaka International Airport (MIA) in Batu Berendam would see the arrival of Riau Air's Boeing 737-500 flight carrying 120 passengers on Dec 6.

He said Riau Air had been operating daily flights between Pekan Baru in Indonesia and Melaka using the Fokker 50, carrying 50 passengers.

"We will also work at having more special flights from Macau and China to Melaka as the MIA had been upgraded," he added.

Dr Ng told a news conference later that Melaka received an allocation of RM157.2 million for a two-year period under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP), which was 46 per cent of the total allocation of RM340 million under the tourism implementation programme.

"This allocation is in recognition of Melaka's role as a prime tourist destination," she said.

At the same function, Dr Ng also announced five main projects under the two-year period of the 10MP, which include upgrading of facilities at the Ayer Keroh Botanical Park costing RM30 million, developing the Tasik Chin Chin area in Jasin (RM25 million) and infrastructure for the cable car in Bandar Hilir (RM49 million).

The two others are the monorail phase two project along the Melaka River (RM13.2 million) and the development project at the Hang Tuah village along the Duyung River (RM40 million).

Meanwhile, Mohd Ali said Melaka planned to hold a Baba-Nyonya International Festival for the first time next year to attract more tourists to the state.

He said the Casa del Rio boutique hotel in Bandar Hilir, expected to be ready by April next year, would be the main venue for the festival showcasing the culture, traditions, fashion and food of the Baba-Nyonya community.

Organised with the cooperation of the Tourism Ministry, the festival will also invite the participation of Penang, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand which also have such a community.

-- BERNAMA

MELAKA INTERNATIONAL TOURISM SHOW 2010 FROM 3RD. TO 5TH. DECEMBER 2010

Melaka International Tourism Show (MITS) 2010 will be coming soon!

From 3rd – 5th December 2010 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Ayer Keroh, Melaka, MITS 2010 will feature highlights such as exhibitions, seminar on green technology and green tourism, holiday bargains, cultural performances, local handicraft demonstrations as well as fun-filled events and activities including games and prizes to give away.

The issue of global warming caused by a severe degradation of the environment is certainly taking a heavy toll on our planet these days resulting in rising temperature, heat waves and wild peat fires in various parts of the world today,

it is time for MITS 2010 to educate the tourism players as well as the public to do their part.

‘MITS 2010: Think Green’ campaign is to promote environmentally sustainable development in the hospitality and tourism industry and is a must for everybody towards promoting green practices in the country.

Learn, discover and experience more about tourism and green only at MITS 2010. Please write in your calendar and don’t miss out to visit MITS 2010.

MELAKA BUILDS TALLEST HOTEL

Malacca builds its tallest hotel

2010/10/22
By Noor Hazwan Hariz Mohd
streets@nstp.com.my

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Ali (left) and Hotel Kerjaya Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tee Eng Ho at the ground-breaking ceremony. — Picture by Mohd Jamah Nasri

MALACCA: In line with its developed status, Malacca is accelerating its physical development.

The historical city was declared as developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the plan was mooted a decade ago and aimed at developing the state's infrastructure, administration, environment and social structure.

"We had targeted Malacca to be at par with other developed countries in 10 years according to OECD's 32 indicators.

"Now Malacca is an example to other states in this country.

"One of the most important sectors that made Malacca successful is our development of infrastructure.

"Today, we are going to build the tallest building in this state on a 3.64ha plot of land, said Ali at the groung-breaking ceremony for the Kerjaya Hotel development initiated as part of the state's tourism drive.

The 42-storey hotel at Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai will be the tallest one in the state.

"The project consists of four blocks, which includes the four-star hotel and three service apartments. Two of the service apartments are 27-storey high while the other is 32 storeys.

"The hotel will have 306 rooms while the apartment blocks will have 700 units.

"Hopefully, the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2014, will be able to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting Malacca in future.

"The state's tourism industry has been developing rapidly since 1999.

As of last year, we attracted 8.9 million tourists to Malacca, compared with 7.84 million tourists in 2008," he said.

Ali said the project will increase the state's existing accommodation facilities to 11,402 rooms.

MELAKA ALIVE

Malacca to be given a facelift via 'Melaka Alive'

Submitted by Najiah on Friday, October 22nd, 2010

T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

riday, October 22nd, 2010 13:07:00

HERITAGE PRESERVERS: Petersham Group Ltd operation and development director Keith Thomas; Sarner IXL Sdn Bhd senior vice president Saifful Azhar Sabarudin, CEO Suffian Afendi Ahmad Apandi and president Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib; Sarner UK executive director and managing director Ross Magri, and Petersham park planning and management CEO Jonathan Rounce

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should brace themselves to see history in a whole different light because by next year, Malacca, known for its historical value, will be given a facelift in a project called 'Melaka Alive, History In a New Way'.

With this project, visitors to the historical state will be able to personally experience the renowned tales of adventure, romance, drama and mystery, set to be brought to life through seamless interactivity and state-of-the-art technology, drawing in viewers to experience history firsthand, from the early days of Malacca to the birth of Malaysia as a nation.

The project, which will be realised in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, will be developed by Sarner IXL Sdn Bhd, a company with 30-years of experience in the delivery of visitor attractions and leisure entertainment centres including the International Astronomy and Space Centre in Liverpool and the Darwin Centre for the Natural History Museum in London.

In his speech at the media briefing held today at the Le Meridian hotel here, President of Sarner IXL Sdn Bhd, Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib, said the idea of 'Melaka Alive' was conceived primarily out of a desire to contribute to the local tourism industry.

"In the recently concluded World Tourism Conference 2010 in Sabah, experts said tourists are no longer content with passive watching. People today are looking for new, unforgettable experiences that cannot be taken away from them," he said.

Malacca, he said, is rich with heritage and historical sites but could do with more innovative products to tell its stories as well as its glorious past.

"Melaka Alive primarily involves upgrading of display mechanisms and a general facelift of the existing heritage sites and assets, following Unesco guidelines," he said.

The project has two phases. The first, involving the revival of the old light and sound show estimated to cost RM21.185 million is expected to be completed by April 2011.

Phase Two will focus on the upgrading of the site and assets of existing museums to make it more compelling and enriching visitor experience through the use of modern technology.

In Phase One, the story of Malacca will be told in an immersive light and sound presentation through projected water screen on board a traditional Malay ship, called 'Bahtera Merdeka', which will be the first of its kind here. It will feature the biggest automated water screen in the region.

Other key features include high resolution specialist projection on water curtain with spectacular world heritage site in the background complete with hologram FX, fire and explosion accompanied by live Surround soundtrack.

Attractions from Phase Two include a maritime museum, a history museum, and the fort walls which is a scenic wall that will surround the attraction sites.

Phase Two has an estimated cost of RM41.4 million and is expected to be completed by October 2011.

MELAKA OFFICIALLY DECLARED "DEVELOPED STATE" AT 20.10HRS ON 20TH. OCTOBER 2010

Thursday October 21, 2010

Proud day for Malacca

By MARTIN CARVALHO and ALLISON LAI
malacca@thestar.com.my

MALACCA: Ten years of hard work paid off when this historical state was officially declared a “developed state” yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made the declaration via tele-conferencing from Kuala Lumpur to thousands of Malac cans gathered at a grand ceremony in Stadium Hang Jebat in Krubong last night.

The crowd cheered and clapped when Najib made the declaration at the auspicious time and date of 2010 hours on 20.10.2010.

Exciting display: Fireworks being set off during the “Developed Malacca 2010: Green Technology State City” declaration ceremony at Stadium Hang Jebat in Krubong Wednesday night.

The event was themed “Develop ed Malacca 2010: Green Techno logy State City.”

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said it was a truly proud day for Malaccans as the state was finally recognised as a developed state by the Organisa tion for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

He added that the state would have a special one-off holiday today. Jon Hall, who has been leading the OECD’s Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Socie ties, said Malaccans had higher than the OECD’s minimum levels in virtually all indicators.

In Kuala Lumpur, Najib who made the announcement from the Putra World Trade Centre where the Umno general assembly is being held – said the Federal Government would give full support to Malacca.

“The people of Malacca should be proud that they have a hard-working and visionary leader,” he added.

Najib then made the official declaration and signed an electronic plaque declaring Malacca a developed state. This was sent to Mohd Ali via an electronic capsule.

Rail progress: A monorail travelling along the Malacca River during its inaugural trip after the launching by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam Wednesday. Mohd Ali said the monorail would start operations after obtaining approval from the relevant authorities. The 24-passenger monorail runs from Taman Rempah in Pengkalan Rama to Kampung Bunga Raya Pantai in the heart of the historic city. The RM15.9mil project is part of the state’s aim to further tap the potential of the Malacca River as a tourist attraction. — A. MALEX YAHAYA / The Star

Separately, Mohd Ali also launched the RM15.9mil monorail with an inaugural ride at Spice Garden yesterday afternoon.

The monorail service starts operations today.

MELAKA BUSINESS ENGLISH MAGAZINE LAUNCHED

Magazine to give Malacca big business buzz

2010/10/16

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Malacca has a new English-language monthly business magazine to promote the investment climate in the state.

MALACCA: The state government hopes that investors and the business community will take advantage of the Melaka Business magazine to identify new ventures and opportunities in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the monthly magazine, which would be published in English, could be used as a reference by investors, businessmen, corporate leaders, hoteliers and tour agency operators both local and abroad.

"I note that the magazine is very useful as it promotes the investment climate in Malacca besides introducing us to its readers, the unity among us, our culture, food, tourism products and heritage," he said when launching the magazine at a hotel here yesterday.

Also present were Melaka Business adviser Datuk Jamelah A. Bakar, state officials and corporate leaders.

Ali also launched the website of the state's Tourism Promotion Division, www.melakatourism.gov.my, which is expected to boost its tourism sector.

Tourism contributes to 70 per cent of Malacca's gross income, so its industry is a vital contributor to the state economy. By year's end, the state is targeting to chalk up 8.2 million tourists who have stayed for three nights, at least.

Ali said he was confident the target could be achieved once Malacca was declared a developed state on Wednesday.

2 NEW HOTELS FOR MELAKA

2 new hotels to boost Malacca tourism

2010/10/10
By Jason Gerald John
streets@nst.com.my

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Ali showing the artist’s impressions of the Hilton Hotel and All Seasons Hotel. — Picture by Mohd Jamah Nasri

MALACCA: The state's tourism sector will receive a shot in the arm with the construction of two new hotels -- Hilton Hotel and All Seasons Hotel.

The developer of both the hotels, Hatten Group CEO Datuk Eric Tan, said a 1,100-unit apartment block and a commercial centre would also be built.

"The tallest building in Malacca will be built under this project.

"With 43 storeys, the building will change the landscape of Melaka Raya and the Malacca coastline.

"The project will be developed next to the Harbour Club in Melaka Raya and will involve an investment of RM300 million," he said.

Tan said the Hilton Hotel, a five-star establishment, would have 250 rooms while the All Seasons Hotel, a two-star hotel, would have 350 rooms.

"The two hotels and the service apartments will provide Malacca with an additional 1,700 rooms," Tan said, in a briefing session with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam at the Hatten Square.

Tan said the groundbreaking ceremony for the hotels would be performed in December.

He said the project would be completed in five years and would provide job opportunities to about 3,000 people.

Meanwhile, Tan also announced that the 700-room Hatten Hotel would open its doors in September next year.

The chief minister said the state's tourism sector was picking up.

Ali said some eight million tourists were expected to visit the historical city this year, up from 7.5 million last year.

"We need more hotel rooms in the state. With the opening of Hilton and All Seasons we will be able to ensure that visitors have a better choice of accommodation," he said.

Ali said work to widen Jalan Merdeka, opposite Dataran Pahlawan, from the two lanes to five lanes, would be complete in two months.

"Once completed, the 2km stretch from Menara Taming Sari up to Hatten Square would be known as Pahlawan City," he said.