TAIWAN: EVA Air To Feed North America Network

Regional Asia growth does not receive the attention that intercontinental long haul growth does, but regional expansion provides the foundation connections for an expanded range of long haul flights.

In Jul-2018 Eva Air inaugurated service to Chiang Mai, its 12th Southeast Asia destination. EVA Air disclosed that it is planning for its 13th and 14th destinations – Penang and Yangon. EVA Air may also fly to India.

Taiwan's Go South policy encourages the economy, transportation and tourism included to do more business in Southeast Asia in order to differentiate away from Northeast Asia and reduce reliance on mainland China.

The new destinations will also help fuel EVA's North America network, which accounts for approximately half of the airline's system-wide flying. Half of EVA's North American passengers connect beyond Taipei, mostly to Southeast Asia.

New destinations, especially those that few other competitors serve, add uniqueness. Rapid trans Pacific growth in recent years has necessitated a greater number of unique city pair combinations.

Cathay Pacific's regional arm Cathay Dragon is adding service to two Southeast Asian destinations not yet served by another Northeast Asian airline.

EVA Air is considering service to Penang and Yangon.

EVA Air studying India, dependent on aeropolitical instruments.

Taiwan is encouraging tourism and visitor growth in Southeast Asia in order to differentiate away from Northeast Asia, especially from mainland China.

Southeast Asian destination growth important for EVA Air to feed its North American network.

Taiwan is pursuing Southeast Asia tourism growth.

The new destinations, if launched, would further Taiwan's aim to grow tourism from Southeast Asia and reduce dependence on Northeast Asia.

Approximately two thirds of Taiwan's visitor arrivals are from Northeast Asia. This includes mainland China, with a 25% share of all arrivals, and Japan at 18%.

Taiwan's quest for Southeast Asia growth is partially out of opportunity, but also as a hedge should the uncertain mainland China market dip – which has occurred over the years, with significant impact on Taiwan tourism.

Taiwan visitor arrivals by market: 2017

Taiwan receives a larger share of visitors from the US before any Southeast Asia market. Taiwan's largest Southeast Asian source markets are Malaysia (5%), Singapore (4%), Philippines (3%) and Indonesia (2%).

Singapore has only a 1ppt difference from Malaysia, despite Singapore's much smaller size.

This is partially the result of LCC competition between Singapore and Taiwan with Scoot and Jetstar as well as ample full service airline capacity, as EVA Air and China Airlines use widebodies to feed their North American networks.

EVA Air has not served Penang. Penang would be a new passenger destination for EVA Air. The airline has freighter services to Penang, while China Airlines has freighter services as well as a daily 737-800 passenger service.

China Southern has twice daily Airbus narrowbody flights to Guangzhou, which connect with its North American network (albeit limited).

Penang International Airport international seat capacity by airline: week commencing 02-Jul-2018

The main competition is from Cathay Dragon, which has twice daily flights on narrowbody and widebody aircraft. Cathay Dragon's sister airline Cathay Pacific has a larger North America network but also links Penang to the rest of Northeast Asia.

No other Northeast Asian airline serves Penang with passenger service (Korean Air has freighter service). Cathay Dragon is the fourth largest international operator at Penang. 17% of Penang's international capacity is to Northeast Asia.

Penang International Airport international seat capacity by region: week commencing 02-Jul-2018

EVA Air briefly served Yangon. Yangon represents a service resumption for EVA Air, if launched. EVA Air was one of a number of airlines to launch service to Yangon after political change and an impending opening-up for business.

EVA Air entered Yangon with other Northeast Asian airlines, including ANA and what is today Cathay Dragon, both of which are able to link Yangon with their large North American networks.

EVA Air served Yangon for eight months from Oct-2012 to May-2013. Taiwan was initially a smaller business partner for Myanmar and EVA Air operated at lower frequency than Cathay Dragon. ANA also had low frequency, but operated a premium aircraft while Japan had larger business ties.

Yangon has far more Northeast Asian competition than Penang. Also, Gulf airlines are more present in Yangon. One-stop flights from Yangon to North America can be longer than transiting through a Northeast Asian hub, but fares can be low.

Gulf airlines tend to be more present in the Southeast Asia-East Coast North America market, which represents a smaller detour compared to Northeast Asia-West Coast North America.

Unlike service on Penang, the North American heavyweights ANA and Korean Air serve Yangon. Two mainland Chinese airlines – Air China and China Southern – link Yangon with their main hubs. China Eastern serves Yangon from Kunming and not Shanghai, the hub for its North American network.

Northeast Asia represents 19% of Yangon's international seats, which is a share not much higher than the 17% that Northeast Asia represents at Penang.

Yangon Mingaladon International Airport international seat capacity by region: week commencing 02-Jul-2018

India's high volumes but low yields are challenging. EVA Air has also said that it is considering service to India but would have to assess aeropolitical instruments.

Taiwan and India amended their air service agreement in 2016, with reports stating that each side was permitted 14 weekly passenger flights. The only passenger services are two weekly flights from China Airlines on the Taipei-Delhi route. This low frequency does not suggest a large unserved market.

Northeast Asian airlines have a number of challenges growing in India. Local demand is typically very small due to limited business, tourism and VFR markets – unlike in Southeast Asia.

Flights from Northeast Asian hubs to India can between five and nine hours – a long time to sustain a flight on mostly connecting traffic with little O&D traffic.

Gulf airlines do this across their network, but their market is connecting traffic, whereas Northeast Asian airlines are structured more towards a balance between O&D and connecting traffic.

The high cost of Northeast Asia-India flights is especially limiting to ANA and JAL, which are historically Northeast Asia-North America connecting airlines but have the highest cost bases in Asia.

The distance between India and Northeast Asian hubs requires a widebody aircraft to be used in most instances. Next generation narrowbodies (A321LR, 737 MAX) will only open so many markets in Northeast Asia-India.

This limits the opportunity to link thinner markets and offer high frequency, or trade three weekly widebody flights with a daily narrowbody traffic rights permitting; some are based on frequency and others on seats/units of capacity.

Southeast Asia growth fuels North America expansion. New Asian destinations will help EVA's North America network. North America accounts for 48% of EVA's ASKs, and more when the regional Asia capacity that exists largely to feed North American flying is taken into account.

An expanded Asia network can help EVA Air grow in North America while also improving the existing network.

As one-stop trans Pacific competition increases, EVA Air needs more differentiation.

EVA Air ASKs by region: Week commencing 02-Jul-2018

Should EVA Air add Penang and Yangon, it will have 14 destinations in Southeast Asia from its main hub.

In 2017, with 11 markets, EVA served the same number of Southeast Asian destinations as China Eastern did from its hub. This considers only destinations served, and not frequency, capacity or connectivity.

EVA will have much more differentiation than ANA, and come up to Korean Air. Penang and Yangon, besides being new destinations, bring more uniqueness to EVA's network.

In comparison, all of ANA's Southeast Asian destinations are served by three or more airlines in this benchmark study of leading trans Pacific operators with Southeast Asian connections.

EVA Air's additions of Penang and Yangon also reduce the dominance of competitors. Exceptions are Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon, which have added service to two destinations – Davao and Medan – not served by any other Northeast Asian airline.

Potential for the connectivity upside is still largely unrecognised. Yet for all the changes, there is still far more growth to be unlocked with improvements in narrowbody aircraft technology, slots, traffic rights and government transparency.

The inevitable focus on China market growth tends to disguise the great potential for growth of southeast and south Asian transfer markets over north Asia.

The large distances across the Pacific make direct services operationally difficult and often uneconomical, but as economies grow and trade links with north America expand, traffic flowing along the linkages made possible by connecting services will only increase.


Tourism Observer

AUSTRALIA: Shangri-La To Manage New 500 Room Luxury Hotel In Melbourne Opening 2022

Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Malaysian property developer S P Setia Berhad Group signed a management agreement for Shangri-La to operate the planned luxury development in Melbourne’s CBD.

At 308 Exhibition Street, the two-tower development was designed by Cox and Fender Katsalidis, and will be loacted near Melbourne’s World Heritage-listed Carlton Gardens.

The property is currently under consideration for planning approval. When it is completed in 2022, the Shangri-La Hotel, Melbourne will have an estimated 500 guestrooms with three floors of amenities, including a sky lobby, restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, a pool and a ballroom.

The second tower will include about 300 luxury residential apartments and office space.

A sky bridge will connect the two towers, and retail space will be in the lower floors of the development.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Mohd Zahid, chairman of S P Setia, said that Shangri-La supported the project’s vision to provide development that increases capacity, creates local economic development opportunities and sets a new benchmark for five-star luxury in Melbourne.

Through the design and construction phases and for many decades to come as a luxury residence, retail and hotel precinct, the economic benefits of this project will be significant for Melbourne, Zahid said in a statement.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently operates over 95 hotels in 22 countries and 73 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands.

Primarily operating in Asia, the group has established its brand over four decades in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, North America and the Indian Ocean.

The group has upcoming projects in Australia, mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

Launched in 1974, S P Setia's portfolio includes townships, eco-sanctuaries, luxury enclaves, high-rise residences, commercial and retail developments.

The group is established in the three economic centers of Malaysia, namely Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang. It also has a project in Sabah.

Its international reach now includes five countries which are Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, China and the United Kingdom.

As of March 31, 2017, the group has 30 ongoing projects, with a stake of 5,141 acres in undeveloped land banks remaining and about $11.1 trillion in gross development value.

PHILIPPINES: Philippine Airlines To Fly To Kuala Lumpur After Three Years

Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumed daily service to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 8, 2017 after three years.

With investment opportunities in Malaysia's service and manufacturing sectors, the PAL route will provide direct access to new business opportunities. Close to 800,000 Overseas Filipino Workers are employed in Malaysia.

The resumption of PAL flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur will help foster economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Malaysia. Most importantly, it addresses the clamor for a direct service between the two capital cities, said PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista.

Through PAL flights and code-share partners, we can carry passenger traffic from Kuala Lumpur to China, Japan, South Pacific and North America and thus enhance our ASEAN network, he added.

As the airport operator, we are always committed towards building a strong relationship with our partner airlines to support its growth, not only in Malaysia but globally. Our mission here at Malaysia Airports is to create joyful experiences for all our stakeholders.

Therefore, we will ensure that Philippines Airlines operations will receive Malaysia Airports’ fullest support for any airport facilities and services needed at the terminal, shared Malaysia Airports Senior General Manager Zainol Mohd Isa.

The decision to return to Kuala Lumpur comes after PAL and Malaysia Airlines expanded their code-share arrangement. The enhancements include code-sharing on 12 domestic Malaysian destinations and nine domestic Philippine destinations.

The points are:

Malaysia - Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan (Sabah), Langkawi, Miri (Sarawak), Penang, Sibu (Sarawak), Tawau (Sabah).

Philippines - Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan.

Passengers may book on Business Class or Economy Class to any of these destinations. Lounge access is also available to Business Class passengers.

Current frequent flyer baggage benefits of Mabuhay Miles and Enrich members are also extended.

Code-share passengers traveling between terminals in Manila can avail of PAL's free transfer services.

Passengers can choose from any of the daily Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight timings.

PR 525 departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:25 AM and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 11:00 AM local time; the return flight – PR526 – leaves Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 12:10 PM local time, and touches down in Manila at 3:50 PM.

PR 527 leaves Manila on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 3:00 PM local time; the return service – PR528 – departs Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 4:00 PM local time and touches down in Manila at 7:30 PM.

PAL is deploying the Airbus A321 on the route. The 199-seater aircraft has 12 seats in business class, 18 in premium economy and 169 in regular economy.

Wireless inflight entertainment can be enjoyed while flying onboard the A321 by downloading the myPAL Player app for free. This will allow passengers to stream movies, TV shows and music from their personal electronic devices. Passengers also have meal options - Asian, Western or Halal meals. Generous free baggage allowance form part of the flight offerings.

The PAL service enables travelers from KL to enjoy Manila for several days and connect to any of PAL's 28 domestic and 42 international destinations.

MALAYSIA: World's Longest And Heaviest Snake Found In Penang

Construction workers at a building site for a flyover in Paya Terubong on Penang came across something truly extraordinary – a giant python. And not just any python either but possibly the longest python ever caught alive: she measured around 8 meters in length and weighed around 250kg.

The pregnant female, a reticulated python, was found under a fallen tree and taken captive by Emergency Services staff. She died a few days later, but not before she managed to lay some eggs. Herme Herisyam, operations chief for Penang's Civil Defence Department's southwest district, said it wasn't clear why the snake perished. We might hazard a guess: presumably people rough-handling and even kicking her, as they can be seen doing in a video, did not help. That, and stress from being caught while giving birth might have led to her demise.

After discovering the snake, the construction workers proceeded to pose for several pictures with her, tagging at her and lifting her up onto their shoulders. The giant snake instantly became a public attraction and put on display at the Civil Defense Department's operation centre in Bayan Lepas before she died. And so it goes: another magnificent animal perishes from maltreatment.

The reticulated python (Python reticulatus), so named for the beautiful gridded pattern on their skin, is endemic to Southeast Asia and is among the largest snakes in the world. They tend to be longer than anacondas but generally less robust. Reticulated pythons prefer to live near fresh water sources and are very good swimmers, which has enabled them to colonize smaller islands around the region. They are fairly common across Malaysia and are kept as pets by snake enthusiasts worldwide.

Like all pythons, they are constrictors, killing their prey by squeezing them to death. They are ambush predators and largely feed on birds and smaller mammals, but they can also take down wild boar and deer, swallowing their prey whole, hoofs, antlers and all. Females tend to be longer than males and lay up to 80 eggs at a time. Newborns are about 70cm long and start hunting mice, birds and lizards pretty much the moment they hatch.

The previous record holder as the world's longest snake in captivity was Medusa, a reticulated python in Kansas City, in the US, which is 7.67 meters long and weighs around 160 kilograms. In 1912, a 10 meter-long reticulated python was shot and killed in Sulawesi, in Indonesia.

A huge python caught in Malaysia is believed to be the longest snake ever captured, after initial estimates measured the reptile at more than 8m.

The reticulated python was spotted curled under a tree by workers on a building site for a new flyover in Paya Terubong on the popular holiday island of Penang.

The staff called civil defence department personnel who took about 30 minutes to capture the snake. They later posed for photographs that illustrated the creature's size.

The Malaysian snake died on Sunday after giving birth, Herme Herisyam, operations chief for Penang's Civil Defence Department's southwest district said.

The Guinness Book of World Records currently accords the title for longest snake in captivity to Medusa, also a reticulated python, which lives in Missouri in the US and measures 7.6m when fully extended.

But when it comes to tipping the scales, Medusa is a relative lightweight.

The python caught in Penang is estimated to weigh nearly 250kg while its American counterpart comes in at about 158kg.

Medusa is currently on show in "The Edge of Hell Haunted House" in Kansas City. It is advertised as "the largest man eating python in captivity" and is fed on a diet of rabbits, hogs and deer.

The Guinness World Records organisation will need to confirm the measurements of the Penang pretender to the title before Medusa is officially displaced.

Sightings in the wild of even longer snakes have been reported, but not confirmed. A python shot in Indonesia in 1912 was reportedly about 10m-long.

A 5m reticulated python was discovered by horrified walkers floating dead in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Lancashire in 2015.

Python reticulatus, also known as the Asiatic reticulated python, are normally native to south east Asia and are the world's longest snakes.

They are non-venomous constrictors and are normally not considered dangerous to humans. But large specimens have been occasionally claimed human casualties.

In 2009, scientists in Colombia have found the fossilised bones of a "monster"snake that is believed to have reached 12.8m in length and weighed more than a tonne.

The creature, which has been named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, lived in the South American rainforest more than 60 million years ago and is the largest snake ever to have slithered the earth.

MALAYSIA: Malindo Air

Malindo is a Low Budget Airline. Malindo Air is an airline based in Malaysia, headquartered in Petaling Jaya. It is a joint venture between National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI) (51%) of Malaysia and Lion Air of Indonesia (49%). The name "Malindo" is derived from the names of respective countries: Malaysia and Indonesia. Malindo Air initially planned to start operation on 1 May 2013 from the new KLIA2 terminal. However, Malindo Air brought forward the launch date to mid-March 2013 with domestic destinations.

The airline offers only economy class and business class seats.

For its jet routes, Malindo Air provides a personal TV (in-flight entertainment system) in every seat, light snacks and free meal, seat pitches of 32" and 45" for economy class and business class respectively, and free baggage allowances of 20 kg & 30 kg. Furthermore, wifi service will be available from June onwards.

The airline also has expanded on a parallel turboprop service, focusing mainly secondary routes within 2-hour radius from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. Pioneer destinations include Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Bahru.

Guests travelling on board Malindo Air’s Boeing 737-900ER from KLIA will enjoy extra legroom at no additional cost as all seats in economy have a seat pitch of 32”. All seats in economy class are also fitted with In Flight Entertainment system (IFE) that offer guest the latest Asian and Hollywood movie blockbusters, TV Programmes and interactive games to choose from at no additional charge.

Business Class passengers enjoy a seat pitch of 45” between them and each seats fitted with personal 13-inch screen stowed away under their seat rest and complimentary baggage allowance of up to 30kg and a full meal service with every business class ticket purchased.

Economy Class

A meal or snack and non alcoholic beverages are provided complimentary
Seat pitch of 32inch with some recline; seat selection for a small fee
Seat back screens show movies and TV shows on demand on the 737-900
No blankets or pillows
Included baggage allowance of 20kgs

Business Class

Superior meal and beverages are provided complimentary
Seat pitch of 45 inch with recline
Seat back screens show movies and TV shows on demand on the 737-900
No blankets or pillows
Included baggage allowance of 30kgs

Malindo

Destinations MALINDO AIR:
Malaysia

Alor Setar

Johor Bahru

Langkawi

Kuala Lumpur (HUB)

Subang (HUB)

Kuala Terengganu

Kota Bharu

Kota Kinabalu

Kuching

Penang

Sibu

Bangladesh

Dhaka

Chittagong

India

Ahmedabad

Delhi

Mumbai

Tiruchirappalli

Indonesia

Denpasar

Jakarta

Thailand

Bangkok (by Lion Air)

Medical Tourism Booms In Asia

THE lines snaking into Bangladesh's overwhelmed hospitals are often so long, says Nusrat Hussein Kiwan, that they extend into the street outside, too many patients seeking too few quality doctors.

So, through a Google search, the wife of a Bangladeshi construction executive chose a Malaysian hospital for her heart bypass surgery.

"It's peaceful here, and my doctors are good," Kiwan, 65, said during a post-op check-up at a Kuala Lumpur private hospital, looking full of life in an orange headscarf and sparkling gold bracelets.

"I didn't expect to be as good as before. But I'm better."

Kiwan spent RM20,000 on the procedure earlier this year, joining a booming global medical tourism market that is seeing particularly rapid growth in Southeast Asia.

US-based industry resource Patients Beyond Borders estimates the world market is expanding by 25 percent per year -- it reached US$55 billion with 11 million medical tourists in 2013.

International medical tourism began to gain ground in the 1980s as Latin American countries such as Costa Rica and Brazil offered relatively cheap dental, cosmetic and other procedures to US and European patients driven south by high costs.

But the onetime niche market has developed into a multi-billion-dollar industry as developing-world health systems improve, global aviation links spread, and the Internet broadens patients' horizons.

Procedures vary widely from fertility treatments in Barbados, to cosmetic surgery in Brazil, heart and eye operations in Malaysia, and gender-reassignment in Thailand.

The sector benefits from a "perfect storm of an ageing global population, rising affluence and greater choice in quality hospitals," said Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders.

"This is particularly true in Asia, where disparities in quality of care are driving millions of patients to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan -- and even the US and UK -- in search of medical treatment not yet available in their homelands."

"The near-term growth potential is significant," he said.

Increasingly, major Asian players like India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are aggressively promoting treatments at up to 80% savings compared to developed nations, with some companies arranging package trips that combine a nose job with a little beach time.

Southeast Asia, in particular, is considered a medical-tourism "sweet spot," with decades of solid economic growth creating high-quality medical systems that remain competitively priced.

Patients come from both rich and poor nations, the former driven by high costs at home, and the latter seeking better-quality care.

Malaysia's market has nearly doubled since 2010, reaching 770,000 patients and RM200 million in revenue last year, according to government figures.

"We are behind Thailand for sure, but we are giving Singapore a good fight," said T. Mahadevan, head of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia.

Thailand says it attracted 2.53 million medical tourists in 2012. Though its figures include spa tourists, that's a one-third increase in just two years, a period in which revenues nearly doubled to around US$4.2 billion.

In Singapore, medical tourists spent US$630 million last year, a figure likely inflated by the modern city-state's relatively higher costs. Patients Beyond Borders estimates Singapore draws more than a half-million treatment-seekers annually, mostly from neighbouring Indonesia, where health systems lag.

Malaysia set up a special body in 2009 to streamline and organise industry players.

Patients Without Borders calls Malaysia "medical travel's best-kept secret", noting the widely spoken fluent English and far cheaper medical costs compared to Japan, the United States, Europe and other key clientele sources.

"I would come back here again. I would definitely recommend it," Alexandria Garvie, 61, said from her hospital bed in Kuala Lumpur after a tummy tuck.

The RM5,000 procedure -- around one-quarter of what she would have paid at home in Australia -- was performed at the Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre.

The company also recently opened a new branch near the border with Singapore to entice patients from the more affluent city-state.

Most medical tourists to Malaysia, however, are well-heeled visitors from less-developed Indonesia, followed by Indians, Japanese and Chinese. Future growth is expected from the wealthy Middle East.

Ancillary businesses have sprouted.

Beautiful Holidays, based on the northern Malaysian island of Penang, connects overseas clients with local cosmetic surgeons, arranges their accommodations, and shepherds them to pre- and post-op check-ups.

But it also arranges drinks, dining and sightseeing in Penang, know for its historical sites, beaches and cultural melange.

"The idea is to have people come here for holidays -- sun and silicone, that kind of thing," said Tony Leong, the company's programme director.

Ashley Higgins, a 30-year-old American, has used the company twice, first for a breast augmentation, then a nose job.

She was initially wary of going under the knife on the other side of the globe, but price concerns won out.

"The hard part is trusting people when you are 1,000 miles from home. I felt comfortable coming here," she said.

MALAYSIA: Top Destinations For Foreigners And Malaysians

Kuala Lumpur is still tops when it comes to tourists to Malaysia. Other local destinations that are also popular among inbound holidaymakers are Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Malacca. Johor Baru, Kuching, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Ipoh round off the Top 10.

This were the findings of the online accommodation booking website Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI). The report is published twice a year and is based on bookings made on Hotels.com sites, and prices shown are those actually paid by customers on a per room/per night basis including taxes and fees, rather than advertised rates. Local travel trends and insights are also extrapolated from the report.

Overall, travellers were paying an average of RM306 per night for hotels in Malaysia in the first half of 2015. Among all travellers from Switzerland were spending the most (RM 425) on average hotel price paid in Malaysia, followed by Norway (RM402), United Kingdom (RM391), and two Asian countries – Hong Kong (RM381) and South Korea (RM378).

“We believe that the recent softening of the ringgit clearly has an impact on local destinations. Subsequently, Malaysians are also noticeably getting back to their roots when it comes to planning vacations,” said Hotels.com senior marketing director Asia Pacific Nelson Allen.

It is also surprising that according to the trends seen for hotel searches for next year by Malaysians for local destinations, the fourth most searched destination is Port Dickson! It registered three-digit figures in percentage growth.

The softening of the ringgit doesn’t necessarily mean a higher cost of travel. The HPI also revealed that there was a steady drop in hotels prices paid by Malaysians in the United Arab Emirates (36%), France (21%), Macau (12%), as well as Malaysians’ all time favourite – Thailand (7%), Indonesia (12%), Singapore (18%), and Hong Kong (4%). This could be attributed to more Malaysians using online and mobile applications for their travel planning.

Top destinations for Malaysian travellers

1. Bangkok
2. Singapore
3. Bali
4. Hong Kong
5. Phuket
6. Melbourne
7. Krabi
8. Seoul
9. Tokyo
10. Taipei

MALAYSIA: Malaysia Welcomes Luxury Cruise Ship

Mein Schiff 1, a Century class cruise ship made her maiden call to Boustead Cruise Centre (BCC), Pulau Indah recently

The vessel, which sailed from Langkawi arrived with a total of 1,870 passengers and 909 crew members on Nov 23. They received a warm welcome reception from Tourism Malaysia with bunga telur and a cultural performance.

As part of the cruise ship’s 22-night voyage from Dubai to Singapore, she had earlier made a stopover at Muscat, Oman; followed by Mumbai, India; and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The vessel left Klang on the same evening for Singapore.

The welcome reception by Tourism Malaysia is an effort under its Maiden Call programme, an annual activity to welcome ships berthing for the first time in Malaysia. It is part of Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to promote cruise tourism and to attract more ship operators to berth in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, in particular.

Over the last few years, Malaysia has seen an encouraging number of cruise ships calling at the country’s ports. Last year, a total of 421 international cruise ships with 352,322 passengers called at the country’s six primary ports, namely Port Klang, Penang, Melaka, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

SINGAPORE: Discover A Unique Experience

Unique is the word that best captures Singapore, a dynamic city rich in contrast and colour where you will find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture.

Unique is the word that best captures Singapore, a dynamic city rich in contrast and colour where you will find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture. A bridge between the East and the West for centuries, Singapore, located in the heart of Southeast Asia, continues to embrace tradition and modernity today. Brimming with unbridled energy and bursting with exciting events, the city offers countless unique, memorable experiences waiting to be discovered. A single day’s trail will take you from the past to the future, from a colourful ethnic enclave to an efficient business centre, from serene gardens to sleek skyscrapers. Take a step back in time as you enter a traditional Chinese temple, Muslim mosque, Hindu temple or Christian church, all in one neighbourhood. Indulge in Singapore’s favourite pastime – shopping. From fascinating antiques to luxury labels. The latest gadgets to ethnic crafts, you will find them all.

Beyond Singapore’s gleaming skyscrapers and business hub status, you will find a country with a vibrant and flourishing arts scene. All year round a diverse repertoire of visual and performing arts events will provide a mind-boggling range of options. The opening of the landmark Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in October 2002 has expanded the number of offerings on the events calendar. Its distinctive architecture alone makes it worth a visit.

The earliest known mention of Singapore was a 3rd century Chinese account, which described Singapore as Pu-luo-chung (island at the end of a peninsula). Little is known about the island's history at this time but this matter-of-fact description belies Singapore's colourful past. By the 14th century, Singapore had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan Empire and was known as Temasek (Sea Town).

During the 14th century, this small but strategically placed island had earned a new name - Singa Pura, or Lion City. According to legend, a visiting Sri Vijayan prince saw an animal he mistook for a lion and Singapore's modern day name was born. The British provided the next notable chapter in the Singapore story. During the 18th century, they saw the need for a strategic halfway house to refit, feed and protect the fleet of their growing empire, as well as to forestall any advances by the Dutch in the region. It was against this political backdrop that Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a trading station. The policy of free trade attracted merchants from all over Asia and from as far afield as the United States and the Middle East. By 1824, just five years after the founding of modern Singapore, the population had grown from a mere 150 to 10,000.

In 1832, Singapore became the centre of government for the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the advent of telegraph and steamship increased Singapore's importance as a centre for the expanding trade between East and West.

Singapore had been the site of military action in the 14th century when it became embroiled in the struggle for the Malay Peninsula between Siam (now Thailand), and the Java-based Majapahit Empire.

Five centuries later, it was again the scene of significant fighting during World War II. Singapore was considered an impregnable fortress, but the Japanese overran the island in 1942. After the war, Singapore became a Crown Colony. The growth of nationalism led to self-government in 1959 and on 9 August 1965, Singapore became an independent republic.