asia onkl's iconic petronas towers a budget? - … offers 40,000 rooms in a mix of categories....
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Aware that it suffers from being deemed a long-haul leap too far in the current economic climate, Malaysia can state a case for being
an attractive option for the budget-conscious event planner. For instance, Asia’s first and only long-haul budget airline, AirAsia X, is a Malaysian carrier and has daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Stansted, boasting airfares half the price of other carriers.
And hotel rates in Malaysia are some of the most competitive in south-east Asia. A five-star international brand in the capital can be had for US$130 (£80); the Mandarin Oriental KL has an average room rate of US$181 (£111).
Event planners are eligible for a RM100,000 (£17,259) financial subsidy when they bring in a minimum of 300 foreign delegates for an event anywhere in Malaysia. This cash incentive is given by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), which serves as a ‘one-stop-centre’ to co-ordinate event activities. On request, MyCEB, a subsidiary of Tourism Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur puts a strong case for being a budget option while Borneo offers exciting options for the adventurous. Selvendra Shanmuga Ratnam reports
can sponsor a gala dinner or cultural performance, for instance.
Malaysia is also quick to point out its reputation as a safe and politically stable destination.
The impressive, purpose-built Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is centrally located in the Golden Triangle business and commercial district overlooking the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
To try to attract business through the global economic crisis, the KLCC has come up with creative solutions offering value for money. The Centre’s ‘We Have A Deal For You’ campaign runs up to June 2010.
Additionally, there is plenty of accommodation in and around the Centre, with 1,500 rooms on-site and 12,000 rooms in the vicinity.
KL offers 40,000 rooms in a mix of categories. Most international hotel brands are already in the capital with new brands coming online within the next few years including Rendezvous Hotel in 2010, Raffles Hotels & Resorts in 2011, Grand Hyatt and Four Seasons Place in 2012 and St Regis in 2014.
Asia on a budget?WHOto contact
Sarawak Convention BureauBorneo Convention Centre KuchingUK representativeWatterston Assocs Tel: 0118 934 5542Email: [email protected]
Sarawak Convention BureauTel: +60 82 242 516 Email: [email protected]
MyCEBTel: + 60 326 158 188Email: [email protected]
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BorneoMeanwhile, the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo are comparatively new destinations for event organisers. Within a three-hour flight time from KL, both states make excellent propositions for pre and post tours as they offer lots of opportunities to catch a glimpse of wildlife species in their natural habitat. For the adventurous, there are nature-based activities such as snorkelling and diving in pristine, clear waters, jungle-trekking in a tropical rainforest and exploring limestone caves. Travel is also easier as restrictions on the movement of chartered buses across international borders on Borneo Island have been lifted.
Sabah, in the northern part of the island, is due to open a 650-capacity convention centre and a dedicated convention bureau in 2012. Currently, meeting facilities include the Sutera Harbour Resort Kota Kinabalu, which boasts the largest meeting facilities in Sabah, with a pillar-less grand ballroom accommodating 2,000 guests theatre-style or 1,400 at a banquet.
KL's iconic Petronas Towers
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Traditional costumes, Sarawak; below left: Hilton Kuching; below right: Nexus beach, Sabah
Asia on a budget?
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thebuyer's eye
Nikki Colvill Grass Roots
Kuala Lumpur offers excellent venue infrastructure and service levels, a comprehensive combination of existing hotels, the KLCC and several new hotels due to open over the coming years.
While there are a number of exciting bespoke activities on offer for larger groups, in the evening one of the most interesting areas to visit is China Town, which offers a vibrant alternative to some of the more modern, cosmopolitan areas.
Malaysia offers great value for money on the ground but the only direct flights to KL - other than the low-cost carrier AirAsia X - are with Malaysian Airways, which limits options. However, if you fly via Bangkok, prices drop considerably.
Once in the country, low-cost airlines make travel very easy and I was surprised at how many different areas there are to consider visiting,
such as the Cameron Highlands. On a recent client event we took one long coach trip from Butterworth to reach the island resort of Pangkor Laut; the scenery and views were stunning. Infrastructure is excellent, with modern roads making transfers quick and comfortable.
The resorts in Malaysia are less well known than, say, Thailand, so research (and a good DMC) pays off to find somewhere that will surprise and delight clients at proposal stage and where very few delegates will have previously visited.
Neighbouring Sarawak, on the other hand, already has a dedicated convention bureau looking for international leads, including a London-based marketing representative.
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is a dedicated convention centre opening this month. The centre will comprise four halls which can be combined to accommodate up to 5,020 people theatre-style. It will also have 14 meeting rooms of various sizes and can accommodate up to 700 for a banquet.
New hotels will add another 1,100 rooms by the end of 2010, doubling the inventory of four and five-star properties in the state capital of Kuching. Four Points by Sheraton opened in March this year with 421 rooms; Pullman Interhill Kuching is scheduled to open by the end of the year with 389 rooms and the five-star Kuching Tower is due to open in 2011 on-site at the BCCK. The hotel will occupy the 15th floor upwards of the 39-storey tower, with office space located on the floors below.
The Sarawak Convention Bureau is also focusing on promoting corporate social responsibility programmes. One of the latest is the ‘Heart to Heart Orangutan Encounter’, a volunteer programme aimed at creating better awareness on conservation issues and increasing the population size of this endangered mammal.
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