Tourism Malaysia in partnership with Malaysia Airlines conducted Travel Agent & Media Familiarization trip to Malaysia from the Middle East region. The selected travel agents and journalists were from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. The HOLIDAY GUIDE team joined the 5 nights/ 6 days tour that covered the cities of Selangor, Penang, Langkawi, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. With overnights stays at Sunway Pyramid Tower hotel in Selangor, Golden Sands Resort by Shangri La in Penang and JW Marriott in Kuala Lumpur.
Sunway Lagoon has been a popular destination for family holidays for Middle East travellers
The group arrived in Kuala Lumpur and proceeded to Sunway Pyramid hotel at Sunway Lagoon for an overnight stay. Sunway Lagoon spans over 88 acres of land which has the capability of hosting any event any size with its hotels, shopping mall and the theme park which are stone’s through away from each other. The two hotels inside Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Lagoon Resort & Spa which is a five-star deluxe hotel and the Sunway Pyramid hotel which is a four-star deluxe hotel provides cozy accommodation with exceptional service levels added with the theme park makes Sunway Lagoon a popular attraction for families, honeymooners and individuals alike from the Middle East region.
The next visit was to the city of Penang which is a place with a fascinating combination of East and West, and embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm. These are reflected in its harmonious multiracial populace and well-preserved heritage buildings which led to George Town being accorded a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
The group stayed at the four-star deluxe resort Golden Sands Resort Penang by Shangri La and also conducted hotel visits during their stay in Penang. Some of the hotels visited were Holiday Inn Resort Penang, the luxurious 5-star deluxe resort Shangri La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Penang and Park Royal Resort & Spa Penang.
Penang is a popular coastal destination in Malaysia with some key attractions such as The Street of George Town, Butterfly farm, Penang Hill and Batu Ferringhi Beach are must see attractions. The variety of food such as the Nasi Kandar, Laksa, Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Mee, Rojak, and the Eurasian delicacies which are authentic in taste and must try. After spending two nights in Penang the group travelled to the vibrant capital city of Kuala Lumpur which is famous for its shopping and popular night life. The city’s bustling streets, its shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress symbolize Malaysia’s unhesitating leap into the future.
The group also visited Langkawi islands by taking the Ferry services from Penang. Upon arrival we visited the luxurious five-star property, The Westin Resort & Spa Langkawi followed by a tour of the beautiful island. After which the group returned to Penang by air for a relaxing overnight stay.
On the return journey to Kuala Lumpur from Penang by road, the group had an opportunity to see the exclusive Banjaran Hot Springs at Ipoh, a luxurious natural hot springs wellness retreat.
In Kuala Lumpur the stay was at the most popular 5-star hotel amongst travellers from Middle East market, the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur’s most prominent retail belt that is home to many landmark shopping centers, cafés, swanky bars, night markets, as well as hawker-type eateries. This area is popular among tourists and locals. A part of Bintang Walk is designated as an “Arab Street” due to its numerous shops and cafes that attracts vast number of Middle Eastern travellers.
During our stay at Kuala Lumpur, the group visited popular hotels, The Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, Prince Hotel & Residence and Istana Kuala Lumpur, along with a full-day excursion to the popular Genting Highlands officially known as Resorts World Genting – often known as the City of Entertainment nestled atop a mountain peak and an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. The resort offers six hotels with 10,000 rooms, a Theme Park with over 50 fun rides, 170 dining and shopping outlets, shows, business convention facilities and entertainment options.
Holiday Guide team was happy to join this very successful Fam trip and plans to promote the destination more vigorously in the Middle East region.
