FREE VISAS TO ATTRACT MORE INDIAN TOURISTS

MUMBAI: Visa fees are to be waived for tourists from India, to encourage more of them to visit Malaysia and go shopping.

An Indian traveller currently spends about RM350 to RM400 on the visa and other related payments.

Tourism minister Nazri Aziz said the waiver was among the means of bringing in an additional two million visitors, and reach a target of 29.4 million international tourist arrivals this year.

Last year about 1.4 million Indians visited Malaysia, and accounted for nearly RM1.8 billion in tourism earnings between January and September in 2014, compared with RM1.3 billion during the corresponding period in 2013.

India was the fifth largest source of tourists for Malaysia, which was one of their favourite Asean destinations.

Nazri said Indian tourists, on the average, stay about six and a half days in Malaysia, spending about RM2,900 during the visit.

“Indian tourists are big spenders especially when it comes to shopping, like the Chinese tourists,” Nazri said.

Tourists from China, South Korea and Japan already enjoy free-visa privileges. “We at the ministry are strongly in favour of such a good gesture to be extended to our Indian guests as well,” Mohamed Nazri said before launching the Myfest 2015 promotion campaign in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, here yesterday.

Nazri said there was vast potential for further growth of the Indian travel trade to Malaysia, as four major airlines planned to increase direct weekly flights to Malaysia.

Currently, there are 156 flights per week connecting Malaysia and key Indian cities, offering nearly 30,000 seats.

The minister also pointed out last year, total arrivals of international tourists stood at 27.4 million and the ministry was actively organising promotion campaigns, not only in India but also other Indian sub-continent countries to promote Malaysia.

“We need to bring at least two million more tourists into the country to meet our target this year, with estimated revenue of RM80 billion or we will lose out to other Asean countries, which already implemented such exemption (visa fee waiver),” he said.

He also said Indians wishing to stay longer in Malaysia could choose Malaysia’s Second Home Programme, where they can live in Malaysia for up to 10 years without visa requirement.

– BERNAMA

From http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/14/free-visas-to-attract-more-indian-tourists/

MYFEST 2015: WORLD KITE FESTIVAL - PASIR GUDANG

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Pasir Gudang has been renowned worldwide as the Best Kite Festival Organiser. This internationally acclaimed event has been hosted continuously since 1995, attracting hundreds of thousands visitors and kiting enthusiasts from all over the world. Last year over 180 international kite flyers from 25 countries came to Pasir Gudang to show off their latest creations and kite-flying technology and experience the best organised kite festival. It has become the focal point for kite enthusiasts all over the world

The festival will be filled with domestic and international contests, demonstrations, spectacular ground displays, and some of the most amazing kites you will ever see.

The inaugural ceremony starts with a participant parade which present all local and international guests. Waving flags the international guests represent their countries with pride as well over 100,000 spectators cheer.  Following the precession and the arrival of the HRH Sultan of Johor, local Wau and International participants get their chances to present their kite flying skills. The Royal Family of Johor have indeed been a staunch supporter of the festival over the years.

Over the festival duration, engulf and explore the incredible number of stalls selling various goods, collectibles, snacks and food.

Workshops are also held throughout the seven day festival so complete novices can learn the basics of kite making, while those already well-versed in the art can learn an even higher level of skill. Prizes are then given for the best kites to emerge from these workshops.

Enjoy the night with spectacular cultural and modern performances line up to spice up your stay and don’t forget to visit the Kite Museum which is within the festival site.  This year marks the 13th year anniversary of the the Pasir Gudang Kite Museum, which was opened during the 7th Kite Festival. It is the first kite museum in Malaysia and has a unique working windmill that generates the electricity supply for the museum.

Venue

Bukit Layang-Layang, Taman Bandar Pasir Gudang, Johor

Organiser

Pasir Gudang Municipal Council

Phone

+607-251 3720

Website: http://www.kitefestpasirgudang.com/

Museum Entrance Fee:

Adult                            RM 2.00

Children (7-12 years)  RM 1.00

MALAYSIA CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE: MALAY GAMES AND PASTIMES - SILAT, WAU BULAN & GASING

Apart from the traditional performing arts and fine arts, noteworthy Malay games and pastimes include kite flying (Wau), the martial arts collectively known as Silat, top-spinning (Gasing), congkak and sepak takraw. In addition there are a number of lesser games played indoors as well as outdoors.

Yet these games and pastimes of the Malays are not always entertainment-oriented per se. Several varieties of, which have come to the Malay peninsular from Java, for instance have religious or mystical meanings. The art of kite flying in which huge highly ornate are used is a serious business in Kelantan and Terengganu involving fierce competitions. This also is the case with top (gasing) spinning in which heavy metal tops are used. Silat, wau flying and gasing or top spinning are thus serious games intended for adults rather than for children.

Sepak takraw, also known in neigbouring Thailand, has now reached the international arena. If in all of these games women have a game in which they can participate it is Congkak, a game with an ancient history known in many lands.