Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 34)

Traditional boats at a beach in Malaysia DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 an Asian influence at Pacifica Grill and Bar. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,800 guests for a sit-down dinner. Agents with questions and requests should contact Denise Condon, director of travel industry account sales, USA and Canada, who’s based in San Francisco (dcondon@mohg.com, 415-772 8831). Resources Malaysia lies seven degrees north of the Equator and consists of West and East Malaysia. West Malaysia, or the Malay peninsula, is bordered by Thailand to the north, Singapore to the south, the South China Sea to the east and the Straits of Malacca to the west. East Malaysia shares the island of Borneo with Indonesia. Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is centrally located on the west coast of West Malaysia. Tropical Resort Outside the capital city, Pangkor Laut Resort (www.pangkorlautresort.com) is a privately owned island three miles off the west coast of Malaysia, in the Straits of Malacca. It has 143 suites and villas, and the 21 Sea Villas are in high demand, since they are overwater and linked by wooden walkways. The Hill Villas and Sea Villas have the best views of the sea and the rainforest. The 52 Hill Villas—which are perched dramatically on the hillside and housed in two-story units—are also popular. The villas on the ground floor feature a huge bathtub in a private open courtyard, and the bathrooms on the first floor open out to the rainforest. The late world-renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti’s love of Pangkor Laut inspired the Pavarotti Suite, an elegant two-bedroom suite set high on a hill in the rainforest, with a lounge area, TV room, kitchen, open-roofed bathroom and an extensive balcony with views of the sea and rainforest. In addition to Pavarotti, the resort has hosted movie stars Jodie Foster and Jude Law. Last month, Pangkor Laut Resort opened a restaurant called the Feast Village, which takes diners on a culinary tour of the world via its six dining pavilions—Japanese (serving sushi and teppanyaki), a Western grill, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Malay and Indian. The “village” has a bakery, café and wine cellar, too. Pangkor Laut Resort also has a Spa Village, composed of eight treatment pavilions, three “Healing Huts” (Chinese herbal, ayurvedic and Malay), two Bath Houses, three Spa Huts, three Nap Gazebos and a Spa Boutique. Advance reservations are recommended. Contact Spa Village Pangkor Laut at 011-605-699-1100, spa villageplr@ytlhotels.com.my. Agents can direct questions to YTL Travel Centre, travelcentre@ ytlhotels.com.my. I Getting there: Forty international airlines serve the Kuala Lumpur airport (KLIA) at Sepang. Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com), the primary national carrier, is a partner in the Enrich Miles program with Northwest Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Swiss International. Language: Bahasa Malaysia is the official language; English is widely spoken. Currency: The Malaysian unit of currency is the ringgit (RM); at press time, the exchange rate was approximately 3.36 RM to $1. Time zone: Malaysia is 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Malaysia does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Electricity: 240-volt 50-cycle system. Visitors are advised to bring converters and adapters. Climate: Malaysia has a warm tropical climate, with temperatures generally ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. May to September is the dry period. The rainy season falls between November and February. Tour operators: Here’s a partial list of tour operators and wholesalers with Malaysia programs: Absolute Asia (www.absoluteasia.com, 800-736-8187), Asia Classic Tours (www.chinaclassictours.com, 800-717-7752), Asian Affair Holidays (www.asianaffairholidays.com, 800-742-3133), Asian Pacific Adventures (www.asianpacificadventures.com, 800-825-1680), East Quest Inc.(www.east-quest.com, 800-638-3449), General Tours (www. generaltours.com, 800-221-2216), Gobundle.com (www.gobundle.com, 866-462-8635), GTS Globotours (www.globotours.net, 800-988-4833), ITC Tours & Travel (www.itcgolf-africatours.com, 800-257-4981), Orient Flexi-Pax Tours (www.orientflexipax.com, 800-545-5540), Malaysia Travel (www.emalaysiatravel.com, 888-359-8655), Pacific Holidays Tours (www.pacificholidaysinc.com, 800-355-8025), Pleasant Holidays (www.pleasantholidays.com, 800-377-1080), Scuba Travel Ventures (www.scubatravelventures.com, 800-298-9009), SITA World Travel (www.sitatours.com, 800-421-5643), Solutions Travel Services (www. solutionstravel.com, 888-828-8811), Travel Masters (www.travel-masters. net, 866-897-4686). CONNECTING YOU For a video highlighting the sights and sounds of Malaysia, go to www.travelagentcentral.com/malaysia 34 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 http://www.pangkorlautresort.com http://www.malaysiaairlines.com http://www.absoluteasia.com http://www.chinaclassictours.com http://www.asianaffairholidays.com http://www.asianpacificadventures.com http://www.generaltours.com http://www.east-quest.com http://www.Gobundle.com http://www.Gobundle.com http://www.generaltours.com http://www.globotours.net http://www.itcgolf-africatours.com http://www.orientflexipax.com http://www.emalaysiatravel.com http://www.pacificholidaysinc.com http://www.pleasentholidays.com http://www.scubatraveladventures.com http://www.sitatours.com http://www.solutionstravel.com http://www.solutionstravel.com http://www.travel-masters.net http://www.travel-masters.net http://www.travelagentcentral.com/malaysia

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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