Latest news with #ManoharanPeriasamy
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia, Scoot sign pact to boost tourist arrivals
SINGAPORE: Tourism Malaysia has signed a strategic three-year partnership with Singapore Airline subsidiary, low-cost carrier Scoot to bring in a bigger volume of international tourists to Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and beyond. The three-year Memorandum of Collaboration was inked at the Scoot headquarters in Singapore on Thursday between the top management of Scoot and Tourism Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said the strategic partnership with Scoot is crucial in efforts to promote Malaysia to wider global audiences. 'Scoot has a very extensive network in this region and in the global arena. This collaboration is very crucial for Tourism Malaysia as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. 'This timely deal will allow us to tap into the high regional and global markets serviced by Scoot. 'As of May, Malaysia recorded a year-on-year surge of 20.4% in international tourists arrivals. This is a 16.9 million increase in the number of foreign tourists. 'Singapore remains top with 8.3 million arrivals, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand and India,' he said, adding that Malaysia hopes to welcome 43 million international tourists by the year-end. Scoot director of marketing, communications and loyalty Agatha Yap described the partnership with Tourism Malaysia as 'very exciting'. 'Malaysia is a very important market for us. Scoot operates 115 weekly flights to 11 destinations (comprising) Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Kuching, Langkawi, Malacca, Miri, Penang, Sibu and Subang. On Oct 26, we will start flights to Kota Bharu.' She said Scoot will promote Malaysia through co-branded campaigns to attract tourists from China, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and other markets. Also present at the signing event were Scoot chief commercial officer Calvin Chan, director of Tourism Malaysia (Singapore office) Norliza Md Zain and High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Datuk Azfar Mohamad Mustafar.
The Star
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Batik Air launches Subang-Bangkok route
KUALA LUMPUR: Batik Air is now offering direct services to Bangkok from Subang to reinforce the airline's commitment to developing Subang into a strategic travel hub for the Klang Valley and beyond. Officials welcomed the inaugural flight from Bangkok during a simple ceremony in Subang on Monday. Direct flights between Subang and Kuching were also launched on the same day. This is on top of Batik Air's flights to Penang, Kota Baru, Kota Kinabalu (BKI) and Tawau via BKI. In a statement, Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the airline is proud to connect more cities through Subang, providing passengers with greater convenience and flexibility as an alternative to KL International Airport (KLIA). 'With these new routes, we are not only deepening our presence in Subang but also bringing travellers closer to the destinations they love – whether it's exploring Bangkok's vibrant streets or experiencing Kuching's rich cultural charm,' he said. Also at the event was director general of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, who said: 'We applaud Batik Air's commitment to expanding Malaysia's regional and domestic air connectivity. 'These new routes are timely as we gear up for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). 'Thailand remains one of our most important source markets, and enhanced accessibility will play a pivotal role in boosting visitor arrivals and supporting the growth of Malaysia's tourism industry.' With the launch of Bangkok and Kuching flights, Batik Air now operates five direct routes from Subang, giving travellers more options when planning their domestic and regional journeys. The airline said these services reflect the airline's vision to offer seamless connectivity, enhanced accessibility, and a more convenient travel experience across Malaysia and beyond. More information is available at
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay Join Forces to Boost Tourist Spending across Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2025 - National payments network, Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet), has teamed up with top Asian payment platforms, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay (commonly known in Malaysia as 'WeChat Pay'), to drive Chinese and regional tourist spending across Malaysia. As the summer travel season begins, both Alipay+ and Weixin Pay are rolling out targeted campaigns to promote Malaysia as a top destination. The campaigns will boost cross-border spending via PayNet's DuitNow QR ecosystem and make travel in Malaysia more seamless and rewarding for visitors. Connecting Tourists with Malaysian Businesses Tourists using AlipayCN, Alipay+ partner payment apps, and Weixin Pay can pay with ease in Malaysia by scanning DuitNow QR – no extra apps needed. It's the same e-wallet they use at home, accepted at more than 2.5 million merchants in Malaysia. From restaurants and hotels to souvenir kiosks and tour operators, this enhanced interoperability makes travel hassle-free. It also increases visibility for merchants, helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) tap into tourist spending. Alipay+ currently enables 15 international payment apps in Malaysia, including Alipay for Chinese tourists. During the December 2024 travel peak, Alipay+, via DuitNow QR, drove a six-fold revenue increase for Malaysian merchants' year-on-year. 'This is what smart tourism looks like, seamless for travellers, transformative for our MSMEs. By enabling tourists to use their home wallets via DuitNow QR, we are opening up more than 2.5 million Malaysian businesses, many of them small and family-run, to global spending power. It's a digital solution with real-world economic impact,' said PayNet Chief Marketing Officer, Gary Yeoh. Empowering MSMEs, Strengthening the Economy This multi-partner initiative aims to increase sales by 20% for participating merchants during the summer campaign period. In the long run, the campaign underpins Malaysia's goal of becoming a cashless tourism leader, while helping more businesses tap into digital payments. Tourism Malaysia Director General, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, highlighted that the summer campaigns play a vital role in reaching the target of six million Chinese tourist arrivals this year. 'We believe that making travel simple, welcoming, and convenient is the key to attracting more visitors,' he said. 'With DuitNow QR accepted via Alipay+ and Weixin Pay, tourists can enjoy a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience. This initiative not only adds comfort and familiarity for our guests but also creates meaningful opportunities for local businesses and boosts the overall tourism economy'. China Summer Campaign Highlights PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay are launching three targeted campaigns that reward spending, celebrate local experiences, and deepen tourism-driven economic impact: As tourist arrivals to Malaysia continue to grow, the partnership between PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay showcases the power of digital payments to fuel economic growth. In line with this momentum, the target for 2025 is to increase DuitNow QR transactions through Alipay+ and Weixin Pay by more than 130% year-on-year. By empowering local businesses and simplifying how tourists pay via trusted mobile payment methods, this summer campaign marks a meaningful step forward in strengthening Malaysia's tourism economy and boosting regional economic integration. ¹Tourists using Alipay+ from the countries listed below are eligible to participate in the contests: Alipay (China), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), MPay (Macao SAR, China), TrueMoney, Kbank (Thailand), Changi Pay (Singapore), Hipay (Mongolia), HelloMoney, GCash (Philippines), Tinaba (Italy), Kaspi (Kazakhstan), BigPay (Singapore, Thailand), Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss (South Korea).
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
VMY2026: Tourism Malaysia backs 'Worth The Wait' to boost country's global appeal
VMY2026: Tourism Malaysia backs 'Worth The Wait' to boost country's global appeal Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia is stepping up efforts to promote the country by leveraging the global reach of international films, in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. The latest initiative is through the film 'Worth The Wait', a collaborative project between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and King Street Pictures, an international production company. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said film is a powerful medium for showcasing Malaysia's beauty to global audiences, and the ministry fully supports foreign production companies that choose the country as a filming location. "One of our key objectives is to promote Malaysia through cinema. We strongly encourage more international film companies to select Malaysia as their filming destination," he said at the premiere of Worth The Wait today. He said Tourism Malaysia is actively involved in promotional efforts, positioning Malaysia as a filming destination and leveraging the film's cast and producers as ambassadors for the VMY2026 campaign on social media platforms. Manoharan said the film's cast, predominantly of Asian descent, with millions of followers on digital platforms, can significantly boost Malaysia's appeal among international travellers. In addition to the collaboration with Worth The Wait producers, he said the ministry and Finas are also actively engaging with more international production companies. He noted that film-based promotion offers broad and rapid reach, as movies today are distributed not only in cinemas but also via online streaming platforms. He said this collaboration presents a win-win opportunity for the ministry, government agencies and international filmmakers in promoting and showcasing Malaysia's unique attractions. During the screening, producer Rachel Tan shared that the film is loosely inspired by her personal love story, which began as a long-distance relationship between Malaysia and the United States. "Worth The Wait is not just entertainment, but also a reflection of love, faith and hope. Dan Mark (producer) and I wanted to create something that celebrates our Asian identity while speaking to audiences around the world. "The response so far has been incredibly encouraging," said the former Miss Malaysia. Partially filmed at various locations across Malaysia, Worth The Wait reflects ongoing efforts to promote Asian representation in North America while also showcasing Malaysia's diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality, qualities that continue to position the country as a world-class travel destination. Produced by King Street Pictures, the film is scheduled for theatrical release in Malaysia this August, with distribution by Astro Shaw. Directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin, the film features a star-studded cast including Ross Butler, Lana Condor, Andrew Koji, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung and Golden Horse Award-winning actress Karena Lam, acclaimed across Hong Kong and Taiwan, alongside Malaysia's own Kheng Hua Tan. The film marks a significant milestone for Malaysian cinema, standing as one of the few romantic dramas to achieve both international theatrical and streaming success. It has already gained popularity as a streaming original in Hollywood, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and is set to premiere in cinemas across Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. – Bernama
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia promotes VMY2026 through film 'Worth The Wait'
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia is intensifying efforts to position the country as a premier travel destination by leveraging international films, with the latest collaboration being the romantic drama 'Worth The Wait'. The initiative is part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026, aiming to attract global audiences through cinema. The film, a joint effort between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), and Hollywood-based King Street Pictures, highlights Malaysia's scenic landscapes and cultural richness. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy emphasized the power of film in boosting tourism. 'Film is a compelling medium to showcase Malaysia's beauty to the world. We encourage more international productions to choose Malaysia as their filming location,' he said during the film's premiere. He added that the cast, with their massive social media following, will serve as ambassadors for VMY2026, amplifying Malaysia's appeal. Produced by Rachel Tan, 'Worth The Wait' draws inspiration from her own cross-continental love story. 'This film celebrates Asian identity while resonating with global audiences,' she shared. Shot in various Malaysian locations, the movie highlights the country's hospitality and diverse attractions. Featuring a star-studded cast including Ross Butler and Lana Condor, the film is set for theatrical release in Malaysia this August, with plans for wider Southeast Asian distribution. Its success on streaming platforms in Hollywood, Canada, and the UK underscores its international appeal. - Bernama
