If you’re looking to hold an event in a destination with an eye-opening fusion of cultures and festivities, then look no further than Malaysia. Located in southeast Asia, this intensely diverse country prides itself on its multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual foundations. Its population of 26 million is divided up primarily between Malays (65 per cent), Chinese (25 per cent) and Indians (seven percent), and with four main religions of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, Malaysia is also a multi-religious society.
With such multiculturalism comes the countrywide celebration of a myriad holidays and festivals which Malaysians observe throughout the year, including Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Deepavali (the festival of light), Hari Gawai and Christmas. Even though most of these celebrations are identified with a particular culture or religion, all Malaysians celebrate the festivities together regardless of their beliefs or background.
The country is often backdropped by the sights and sounds of various festivals – which means if you plan your timing right and lock in an event for dates in and around one of these many celebrations, you’ll be offering delegates pre- and post-event entertainment without spending an additional cent of your budget!
In fact, Malaysia is now in the middle of its biggest celebration yet – its 50th year of independence in 2007. To commemorate the golden jubilee, 2007 has been designated as Visit Malaysia Year (VMY).
Destined to showcase to the world the nation’s success at building peace and harmony among a people of diverse ethnicities and cultures, VMY will see Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnic communities in Malaysia embracing visitors to celebrate this important milestone in the nation’s history.
The country is set to come alive with colourful parades, carnivals and events that highlight Malaysia’s natural landscapes, rich culture and heritage, delicious cuisines, bustling cities, and scenic countryside.
In keeping with Malaysia’s image as a shopping haven, several shopping carnivals have even been planned. The Malaysia Mega Sale Shopping Carnival and the Year End Sale are both prime times when branded and quality products are offered at unbeatable discounts. So with off-site entertainment sorted out for you, there’s one less thing to think about when looking to Malaysia as a MICE destination. Aside from its jam-packed calendar of celebrations, it also has stacks of meetings venue options, accommodation and attractions to keep delegates busy. Its vast choice of purpose-built convention centres and international hotels with conference facilities includes the recently opened Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre located in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) next to the Petronas Twin Towers, as well as the Sunway Convention Centre, Persada Convention Centre, and Genting International Convention Centre. In Putrajaya, the country’s administrative capital, you will also find the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) which opened in October 2003. Other meeting venues of varying sizes, plus a multiplicity of accommodation and an adventurous mix of activities, can be found in various destinations throughout Malaysia, and each location has something a little different to offer than the next.
Langkawi lies off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the foremost of a cluster of 99 islands. Miles of sandy white beaches, serene village scenes and acres of rice paddy fields make Langkawi a top incentive destination. Island hopping, duty-free shopping, five-star resorts, attractions, historical landmarks and water sports are all waiting there for groups to enjoy.
Another island with a colourful history, Penang is a bustling metropolis widely known as the Pearl of the Orient. Its natural beauty and exotic heritage have been attracting curious visitors for centuries. Penang today is very much an amalgam of the old and the new – an active port, a heritage city and an industrial base – reflecting a unique blend of the east and west. On the following pages, you will find a more in-depth look at other Malaysian destinations, including Sabah, Sarawak and the capital, Kuala Lumpur. It’s these unique locations, plus Malaysia’s diversity of modern infrastructure and support services and its “Truly Asia” experiences that draws in international high profile events. Acting director of the convention division of Tourism Malaysia, Zulkefli Sheriff says that attracting these large-scale events has been invaluable to both Malaysia’s economy and its reputation as a prime MICE destination.
“The hosting of international events such as the 18th FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics from November 5-10, 2006, which attracted more than 8000 international participants coming from 130 countries, injected some RM80 million into the Malaysian economy,” Mr Sheriff says.
Other recent congresses that have indicated Malaysia’s potential as an attractive MICE destination include the 6th Asian and Oceania Epilepsy Congress, Harvey World Travel Conference, International Society of Music Education Conference, and Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology Annual General Meeting.
“Hosting these events has firmed our Government strategy to make the MICE sector an important sector of our tourism policy,” he says.
Mr Sheriff expects the MICE market in Malaysia to continue to be a major source of foreign exchange earnings, and with the number of conference arrivals growing year-on-year, and the number of international conventions rising from 925 in 2001 to 3222 in 2005, it seems that increased promotional measures undertaken to market Malaysia as an international MICE destination are paying off.
Easily accessible and well-connected with more than 40 international airlines, this English-speaking country with political and economical stability and a 2007 calendar full of events that will keep visitors enthralled, has a lot to offer when it comes to MICE, and is set to continue improving its offerings to the international market in the coming years.
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