Latest news with #WTD
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
The world meets Malaysia in Melaka
THE world will soon turn its gaze to Melaka. In September, this historic city will host World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC). Malaysia will welcome more than 3,000 delegates from 159 countries, including tourism leaders, policymakers and industry experts. These events represent more than symbolic recognition. They represent Malaysia's stage rehearsal for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), a defining opportunity to showcase the nation's tourism readiness, innovation and world-class hospitality. These aspirations reflect a commitment to revitalising tourism for economic recovery. However, the nation must mobilise efforts from federal leadership to the grassroots to achieve these goals. The theme of WTD, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation", could not be more timely. It gives Malaysia a platform to highlight its strengths, such as, cultural heritage, ecotourism, Muslim-friendly tourism, digital infrastructure and smart destination planning. Yet even with national frameworks in place, the real transformation must occur where experiences are delivered at the state and community levels. This achievement reflects Melaka's effective coordination, infrastructure enhancements and branding strategies. Melaka, aligned with the national agenda, has emerged as a beacon of tourism excellence through creative promotional programmes, digital innovation and outstanding service. The success of Visit Melaka Year 2024 is demonstrated by the state recording more than 15 million tourist arrivals, which contributed RM12.68 billion to tourism revenue. The Visit Melaka initiative will extend to 2026. The appointment of Chinese actress Fan Bingbing as Melaka's tourism ambassador has elevated the state's image in the Chinese tourism market. It generated more than 1.5 billion digital impressions on WeChat, positioning Melaka at the spotlight of Asia's tourism market. Melaka's preparations for WTD and WTC include a tourism package, digital navigation upgrades, enhancing historical precincts and installing five-star public restrooms in tourist areas. These efforts boost visitor confidence, satisfaction and brand loyalty to the state and the country. Other states would do well to observe and emulate Melaka's approach to VM2026, especially in building niche tourism appeal, whether in food tourism, ecotourism or heritage preservation. At the same time, the tourism industry must focus on quality growth while delivering immersive, high-value travel experiences. Hoteliers, F&B businesses, tour operators and transport providers must raise their service standards, from cleanliness and punctuality to digital integration and multilingual service. * NORENA JAAFAR AKMAL ADANAN Senior lecturer Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, UiTM Melaka
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's unclaimed money reaches RM13.3b, only RM4b claimed since 1977, says Accountant General
BATU PAHAT, May 17 — A total of RM13.3 billion in Unclaimed Money (WTD) was recorded by the Accountant General's Department (JANM) until last April. Accountant General Nor Yati Ahmad revealed that since the establishment of the unclaimed money (WTD) system in 1977, only about RM4 billion has been successfully claimed by rightful owners or their heirs. She said this situation likely occurred because many individuals or their heirs were either unaware that they had unclaimed money records or had never taken the initiative to check with the Accountant General's Department of Malaysia (JANM). 'They can actually check or submit a claim application via the official portal or eGumis application and go to JANM branches in each state. 'We will also continue to intensify promotions and field activities to publicise the existence of this WTD because it can only be issued by the owner or heir,' she told reporters after opening the Kampung Angkat Madani (KAM) and Santuni Madani Programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Minyak Beku, here, today. Meanwhile, speaking about the KAM programme, she said that various activities were organised to support the local community and implement development projects, particularly those involving infrastructure improvements. He explained that in addition to the WTD counter, opened in collaboration with Bank Rakyat for the opening of children's savings accounts with a RM20 incentive per account, several other community-focused activities were also carried out. 'Among the physical development projects were upgrading water supply pipelines, repairing Islamic halls, constructing cemetery fences, enhancing funeral management facilities, and handing over a funeral van,' she said. She said the KAM programme aims to bridge the development gap between rural and urban areas by improving essential infrastructure, community facilities, and ensuring internet access is not overlooked. She noted that the implementation of KAM in Johor marks the second such initiative after its successful rollout in Kampung Lubuk Antu, Sarawak, last year. — Bernama
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 3,000 delegates expected for World Tourism Day and conference this September
LANGKAWI: More than 3,000 delegates from 159 countries are expected to converge in Melaka for World Tourism Day (WTD) and the World Tourism Conference (WTC), scheduled to take place from Sept 27 to 29. Both events, themed 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation', are set to enhance Malaysia's standing as a global tourism hub. Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar said the two high-impact international events would help strengthen the country's tourism industry. "In January, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) successfully hosted the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 in Johor, marking a pivotal moment in promoting Malaysia on the world stage. "Following that, WTD and WTC will take place in Melaka this September," he said during an engagement session and symbolic flag handover ceremony for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, held at Parkroyal Langkawi Resort here today. The ceremony was officiated by the state's Economic Planning Division director, Junaidi Abdul Rani. First introduced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, World Tourism Day is celebrated on Sept 27 each year. It aims to recognise the contributions and significance of tourism in shaping global social, cultural, political and economic values, as well as its role in the future of sustainable energy.
