Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page M4)

Home stay program in Malaysia Malaysia MY SECOND HOME Countless people have come to Malaysia and fallen in love with it, coming back repeatedly or even making plans to retire here. Great weather, amazing food, warm people and low cost of living—coupled with a high standard of living, state-ofthe-art infrastructure, rich culture and a charming history—make it a place easy to call “home.” The Malaysian Government recognizes this and has set up a program to make it easier for expatriates to retire here. The “Malaysia My Second Home Programme” allows foreigners to stay in the country indeﬁnitely on a social visit pass with a multiple entry visa. Malaysia has one of the highest standards of living in the region – luxuries are so affordable that it is easy to enjoy the good life here. Cost of living is one of the lowest in Asia and will remain so for a very long time. Visit www.mm2h.gov.my. Citrawarna Malaysia FESTIVALS & EVENTS Malaysia’s annual festivals and events are a wonderful way to experience the country’s diverse culture. Some of the most popular are: < Thaipusam (January): Hindu festival of penance < Chinese New Year (February): Joyous celebrations of food and family reunion < Malaysia Water Festival (April): An entire month of water-based activities < Colours of Malaysia (Citrawarna) (May to June): Celebrating the culture of Malaysia < Merdeka Celebration (August): Malaysia’s Independence Day < Hari Raya Aidilﬁtri (October): The culmination of the holy month of Ramadan < Deepavali (October): Hindu festival of lights Malaysia also mounts annual events such as the Formula 1 race, which next takes place on March 22, 2009, at the Sepang International Circuit just outside Kuala Lumpur. For a list of events, visit www.tourismmalaysiausa.com. Chinese, Malay, Indian or Western wedding. There also top-notch wedding photographers, ﬂorists and fashion designers to make sure every detail is taken care of. Most hotels offer wedding and honeymoon packages, making Malaysia an even greater value. Spa and Wellness Malaysia, being a multi-cultural country, has at its disposal a huge range of traditional spa treatments handed down from generation to generation. These include age-old Javanese beauty and wellness regimens, ancient Ayurvedic treatments from India, and reﬂexology, acupressure and Shiatsu practices founded in China. A list of popular spas can be found under “Activities” at www.tourismmalaysiausa.com. Medical Tourism Malaysia is one of the countries in the forefront of this growing phenomenon. It has a very efﬁcient healthcare system, and private doctors, clinics and hospitals of international standards are available throughout the country at a very reasonable cost. Shopping Sprees Malaysia’s fast-paced capital, Kuala Lumpur, features state-of-the-art malls and designer shops, as well as the bustling markets of Chinatown, Little India and the Central Market (for handicrafts and souvenirs. Throughout the country you’ll ﬁnd regional handicrafts, from east coast batik to Kelantanese wayang kulit puppets. Malaysia has a countrywide Mega Sale Carnival every summer. Home Stay You can get to know the real Malaysia by making arrangements to stay in a traditional kampung, or Malaysian village. You’ll have the chance to experience rural culture and pitch in cooking, gardening, playing traditional games or exploring your surroundings on your own. Although amenities may be basic, these homes have been carefully selected by the Ministry of Tourism to provide a wonderful experience for foreign guests. Weddings and Honeymoons Malaysia has the beautiful settings couples are looking for, and an abundance of wedding coordinators who can organize a traditional 4 Malaysia TRAVEL PLANNER www.tourismmalaysiausa.com • www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com http://www.mm2h.gov.my http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my

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Travel Agent - April 18, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Pacific/Asia: Visitors to Ubud will Discover the Essence of Balinese Art and Culture Special Supplement: Malaysia Travel Planner New Zealand: There is Plenty to See and Do Throughout the West Coast of the Southern Alps Europe: Beauty, History and Culture Combine in Valencia, Spain Caribbean: Scrub Island is the BVI’s First Development in 15 years The Wyndham Rio Mar’s $40 Million Makeover is Well Underway in Puerto Rico The Latest on Grenada, a Caribbean Up-and-Comer Mexico: Big Hotel Plans are in the Works for the Riviera Nayarit Florida: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel turns Orlando into Italy Las Vegas: Dinner at these Restaurants Can Get your Clients into Vegas’ Hottest Nightclubs Cover Story: Medical Tourism Special Supplement: Destination Weddings Specialist 3.0 Hotels: Everything Old is New Again at New York’s Algonquin Cruise: Short Cruises Keep your Clients on the Move for Less Group Travel: Disney makes Exotic Locales Friendly for Family Travel Car Rentals: How Much Insurance Does your Client Need for a Rental Car? Agency Profile: Corporate Travel Sales are Rising at MTravel.com, a Division of Montrose Luxury Travel Expo Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Hyatt comes to Curaçao New Hotels and Resorts in Asia CLIA Tightens Qualifications for ID Tripology Links Agents to Clients In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

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