Latest news with #MOTAC
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Public advised to be alert: Beware of fraudulent haj offers
KUALA LUMPUR: The public is reminded to exercise caution when purchasing haj packages, following Saudi Arabia's recent decision to tighten the issuance of Mujamalah (special quota) visas for Malaysian pilgrims. Acting Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said that in light of the tightened issuance of Mujamalah visas, the department anticipates a rise in haj fraud syndicates promoting seemingly attractive fake packages to deceive unsuspecting victims. He advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such scams by verifying whether the company or agent offering the package is officially registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Pilgrims Fund Board (Lembaga Tabung Haji - TH). To date, the police have received one report involving haj package fraud, with losses amounting to RM71,000, he told a press conference here today. He said this year, Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of Mujamalah visas for Malaysians to perform the haj pilgrimage, and because of that, the issuance of permits has become much stricter. According to Muhammed Hasbullah, a special task force has been formed by Bukit Aman, in collaboration with MOTAC and TH, to address the issues of stranded haj pilgrims. It will coordinate investigations, manage documentation and take legal action against those suspected of involvement in fraudulent haj package offers. The task force's operations centre will be at the One-Stop Centre Meeting Room, Level 2, Block B Parking, Main Terminal, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, he4 said, adding that it is part of an initiative to strengthen the service delivery system to the people, especially in dealing with complaints and issues related fraudulent haj offers.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Promote ASEAN as single tourism destination to boost regional travel
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has called for a more integrated and aggressive push to promote ASEAN as a single, cohesive tourism destination — a concept that highlights the region as a unified travel experience — rather than marketing individual countries separately. MATTA President Nigel Wong Chun Teim said the 10-member regional bloc should capitalise on this approach to boost intra-ASEAN travel and attract more international tourists to Southeast Asia. 'In some places like Europe, we help promote ASEAN as a single destination while still highlighting each country's unique attractions. Travellers may enter through Malaysia or another ASEAN country, but Malaysia remains a key stop on their itinerary,' he told Bernama when contacted. Wong said coordinated efforts by ASEAN nations to present the region as an interconnected travel zone would not only enhance visibility on the global tourism map but also boost tourist arrivals, particularly to Malaysia. 'One of the key growth markets is intra-ASEAN travel. ASEAN should do more to encourage its own citizens to explore the region. Promoting this aggressively will benefit every member state and uplift overall inbound tourism,' he said. Wong noted that ASEAN continues to appeal to global travellers due to its favourable climate, rich cultural diversity, warm hospitality and affordability. However, he pointed out that poor regional and international connectivity remains one of the main barriers to tourism growth. 'Take Kuching, for example. It's geographically close to several ASEAN destinations, yet flight options remain limited. It's encouraging to see the government working with airline partners to expand connectivity within the region,' he said. On Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Wong said it presents a strategic opportunity to position the country as a central travel hub in Southeast Asia. He said the hundreds of high-level meetings and official events planned throughout the year could directly or indirectly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen Malaysia's international tourism profile. Wong also pointed to Thailand's 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative introduced last year, which seeks to make ASEAN more accessible by simplifying travel across six participating countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand — with Singapore expected to join. The initiative aims to encourage international tourists to visit multiple ASEAN countries in a single trip, reinforcing the bloc's position as a unified tourism hub. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) reported that Malaysia recorded 13.4 million tourist arrivals from January to April 2025, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. MOTAC has set a target of 45 million international visitors for 2025, with projected tourism receipts totalling RM270 billion. As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is currently hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. This is the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, after previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Promote ASEAN as single tourism destination
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has called for a more integrated and aggressive push to promote ASEAN as a single, cohesive tourism destination — a concept that highlights the region as a unified travel experience — rather than marketing individual countries separately. MATTA President Nigel Wong Chun Teim said the 10-member regional bloc should capitalise on this approach to boost intra-ASEAN travel and attract more international tourists to Southeast Asia. 'In some places like Europe, we help promote ASEAN as a single destination while still highlighting each country's unique attractions. Travellers may enter through Malaysia or another ASEAN country, but Malaysia remains a key stop on their itinerary,' he told Bernama when contacted. Wong said coordinated efforts by ASEAN nations to present the region as an interconnected travel zone would not only enhance visibility on the global tourism map but also boost tourist arrivals, particularly to Malaysia. 'One of the key growth markets is intra-ASEAN travel. ASEAN should do more to encourage its own citizens to explore the region. Promoting this aggressively will benefit every member state and uplift overall inbound tourism,' he said. Wong noted that ASEAN continues to appeal to global travellers due to its favourable climate, rich cultural diversity, warm hospitality and affordability. However, he pointed out that poor regional and international connectivity remains one of the main barriers to tourism growth. 'Take Kuching, for example. It's geographically close to several ASEAN destinations, yet flight options remain limited. It's encouraging to see the government working with airline partners to expand connectivity within the region,' he said. On Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Wong said it presents a strategic opportunity to position the country as a central travel hub in Southeast Asia. He said the hundreds of high-level meetings and official events planned throughout the year could directly or indirectly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen Malaysia's international tourism profile. Wong also pointed to Thailand's 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative introduced last year, which seeks to make ASEAN more accessible by simplifying travel across six participating countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand — with Singapore expected to join. The initiative aims to encourage international tourists to visit multiple ASEAN countries in a single trip, reinforcing the bloc's position as a unified tourism hub. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) reported that Malaysia recorded 13.4 million tourist arrivals from January to April 2025, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. MOTAC has set a target of 45 million international visitors for 2025, with projected tourism receipts totalling RM270 billion. As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is currently hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. This is the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, after previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Tourism Malaysia Organising Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, Prizes Worth Rm400,000 Await Winners
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is organising the 'Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025' photo and video competition from June 1 to 31 August 31, as part of efforts to intensify the promotion of tourism destinations in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the tourism-themed competition is open to all Malaysians, foreign residents and international visitors with a total prize pool of RM400,000. He said participants have the opportunity to win four main prizes, namely RM15,000 for the photo category and RM25,000 for the video category for phone users, as well as RM25,000 (photo category) and RM35,000 (video category) for camera users. Participants of the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 need to submit photos or videos online, along with copies of receipts as proof of travel activities, such as accommodation at registered and licensed premises, purchase of tickets to tourist attractions or booking of domestic transport tickets dated between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2025. 'This competition is among the high-impact initiatives in intensifying the country's tourism promotion efforts creatively and to encourage domestic and international visitors to promote the beauty of Malaysia through photos and videos on their social media channels,' he said He said this in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, which was read out by MOTAC Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) here, today. According to Khairul Firdaus, Tourism Malaysia is also holding a 'Fam Trip' programme for local and ASEAN influencers from June 13 to 15 by receiving sponsorship of 10 cars from Perodua to introduce interesting tourist destinations. Later, at a press conference, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung said the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 can also provide exposure and promotion to interesting destinations in the country, especially those that are not known to many. "Maybe Malaysians themselves do not know about the existence of these maybe it can be developed later and we hope this programme can provide exposure and offer more new products to international tourists," he said.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Only 14 forts remain: Sarawak pushes Unesco bid to preserve Brooke-era landmarks, cultural legacy
KUCHING, May 23 — Sarawak is pursuing recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for its Fort Trails initiative, which showcases the historical and cultural legacy of 23 forts dating back to the Brooke era. The initiative was among the main topics discussed during a recent courtesy visit by Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. In a statement today, the ministry said Fort Trails represents more than just architectural conservation, as it also embodies the oral traditions and collective memories of Sarawak's multiethnic communities. 'The forts were often built with the support of local communities who contributed belian timber, labour, food, and knowledge of the terrain. Their stories have been passed down through generations,' said Snowdan. Of the 23 historical forts, only 14 remain standing. However, the state regards both the surviving structures and the intangible cultural heritage linked to them as a vital part of Sarawak's identity. Snowdan said the ministry would collaborate with the National Heritage Department, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), and Malaysia's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO to pursue the recognition. He also shared Sarawak's aspirations during a meeting with Secretary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fumiko Ohinata, noting plans to eventually nominate other cultural practices from the state's 34 ethnic communities. In a separate discussion with UNESCO World Heritage Centre Deputy Director Jyoti Hosagrahar, Snowdan spoke about the relevance of the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators to Sarawak's development goals. 'We see the inscription of Niah Caves as a World Heritage Site not only as a celebration of our ancient history but also as a platform to promote sustainable crafts and local livelihoods,' he said. — Bernama
