Exciting festivals in 2013 set the mood for “Visit Malaysia Year 2014”

 

 

Malaysia’s tourism calendar for 2013 is packed with exciting events and colorful celebrations as a run up to the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) planned in 2014. Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is a campaign by Tourism Malaysia that will promote tourism to the country internationally through several mega events and programs. Regardless of the month of visit, Malaysia promises visitors something special and unique to make their time here truly memorable and enjoyable!

 

 

Kick off the new year in January by joining in the grand celebration of the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 promotion campaign, from January 18^th to 20^th at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur – it will be the biggest tourism carnival ever! It is also a great month to participate in the Thaipusam Festival. A dazzling chariot procession will pull into the Batu Caves temple on January 27^th after making a 15-kilometer, 12-hour journey from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. In addition, Langkawi waters will host the Royal Langkawi International Regatta, an exciting sailing and racing event, from January 7^th to 12^th.

 

 

The Chinese New Year celebration will be on February 10^th. It is a great time to catch a glimpse of the 15-day long festival celebrated with joyous reunion, fabulous food, colorful lion dances, and ethnic tradition. Another tourism highlight is the Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival in Johor from February 20^th to 24^th, which promises to fill up the sky with colorful and innovative kite designs from international participants. Also, catch some of the world’s leading women tennis players at the BMW Malaysian Open from February 25^th to March 3^rd at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

In March, Formula One fans can not only come for the race as it zooms into the Sepang International Circuit from March 22^nd to 24^th, but also take advantage of the retail discounts offered during the Malaysia GP Sale from March 8^th to April 14^th. Meanwhile, Langkawi will host one of the largest International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibitions from March 26^th to 30^th.

 

 

 

April is the month for a splashing time at the Water Festival, which will be celebrated in all major seaside towns in Malaysia: Langkawi, Labuan and Port Dickson. Meanwhile, the Malaysia International Shoe Festival will be held from April 5^th to 7^th.

 

 

Those visiting in May can join in on the Colors of 1Malaysia celebrations on May 25^th, in addition to participating in other cultural events such as Sabah Fest (May 4-5), Tadau Kaamatan (May 30-31), and the World Harvest Festival in Sarawak (May 3-5).

 

 

In June, come for the Malaysia International Tourism Night Floral Parade in Putrajaya from June 22^nd to 30^th and watch the dazzling lighted boats cruise along the lake. For music lovers, the well-recognized Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak from June 28^th to 30^th is a must see.

 

 

Grab your shopping bags in July for Malaysia’s Mega Sale Carnival that runs from June 14^th to September 1^st! Also, meet some of Malaysia’s talented artists and purchase their artworks at the Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival, which begins in July and lasts through September. July is also the Ramadan month observed by Muslims by way of fasting from dawn to dusk. Visit the Bazar Ramadan stalls and be amazed by the array of food prepared for the breaking of the fast each evening.

In August, take part in the Hari Raya celebrations, where open houses and feasting on local delights are welcomed. Then, celebrate patriotism in August and September with the Malaysia National Day on August 31^st and a festive Malaysia Day celebration on September 16^th. Admire the procession of beautiful lanterns during the 1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival on September 19^th.

 

 

Meanwhile, October kicks off the three-month Fabulous Food 1Malaysia dining feast. Enjoy fine dining in October, ASEAN food in November and delicious street food in December.

 

In November comes the international yacht racing teams that battle the monsoon weather and South China Sea for a chance to lift the Monsoon Cup. This month is also the start of the Malaysia Year End Sale, which begins on November 8^th and ends on January 5^th, 2014. In addition, don’t forget to be part of the Deepavali celebration this month and experience a true festival of lights.

 

 

Culminate the year in December with the Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia Dance Tourism Carnival and learn the various Malaysian cultural dances. Or, continue with your Malaysia Year End Sale shopping spree well into January 2014, while enjoying local street food delights served during the last month of the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia. You can also enjoy the experience of a tropical Christmas throughout December as shopping malls and hotels light up.

 

 

For more information please visit http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/mediacentre.asp?page=news_desk&news_id=752&subpage=archive.

 

 

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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2013	Contact: Cristina Samiley Tel: 213-683-2112 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.tourismmalaysia.ca
Malaysia Ranks High in Scuba Diving Top 100 Readers' Choice Awards LOS ANGELES – Malaysia ranks No. 3 for Best Value for Diving Dollar in Scuba Diving’s 2013 Top 100 Readers Choice Awards. Based on the opinions of thousands of divers from across the globe, the annual awards showcases the best scuba diving in the world. Scuba Diving states, “For a quarter-century, Malaysia…has been legendary for its unique regions, amazing nature reserves and excellent bang-for-the-buck.” The magazine adds, “The friendly Malay go out of their way to offer genuinely good service, and the all-inclusive packages are usually a bargain with nearly endless diving options.” According to the magazine, most divers put Sipidan, Layang Layang and Mabul near the top of their must-dive bucket lists. Sipadan Island is world-renowned for great wall and drift dives, and guaranteed colorful fish encounters. Layang Layang, known as “The Jewels of the Borneo Banks,” is a ring of 13 coral atolls in the mist of the South China Sea. Mabul Island, off the mainland of Sabah, has more than eight popular dive sites to accommodate divers year-round. Malaysia has been a perennial favorite in Scuba Diving’s Top 100 Readers Choice Awards, and was voted No. 1 for best Pacific Diving Destination in 2012. This year, in addition to being ranked high as a Best Value for Diving destination, the magazine’s readers also ranked Malaysia No. 4 for Best Shore Diving and No. 5 for Best Macro Diving. Beyond Malaysia’s excellent dive offerings, “equally enthralling is the opportunity to visit to some of the nearby topside treasures, often at moderate expense,” says Scuba Diving. Wildlife encounters, unique cultural experiences, idyllic beach scenery, and much more can be found to indulge any traveler’s sensibilities. Combined with a favorable exchange rate (CAD 1.00 = RM 3.05, as of March 2013), a trip to Malaysia is guaranteed to be a great value for Canadians on- and off-shore.     ###

For more information on the Euromonitor International report, please visit www.euromonitor.com/Euromonitor_Internationals_Top_City_Destination_Ranking

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2013	Contact: Cristina Samiley Tel: 213-683-2112 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.tourismmalaysia.ca
“The Spirit of Malaysia” Flies Into North America in April LOS ANGELES – On March 26th, Malaysian Captain James Anthony Tan took off from Langkawi, Malaysia, on a mission to be the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft. His expedition will take him across the Northern Hemisphere, visiting 20 countries with 30 scheduled stops, including a seven-city tour in the U.S. and Canada in mid-April. Tan, 21, is flying solo in a Cessna 210 Eagle, dubbed The Spirit of Malaysia. His quest, “1Malaysia Round the World,” is a 21,900 nautical mile route to be completed in 50 days. He will fly across North America from April 5th-18th, with stops in Anchorage, Juneau, Vancouver, Denver, Indianapolis, Teterboro, and St. Johns. His journey will also take him to Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Pakistan, India, and Myanmar. Through his expedition, Tan wants to inspire the world’s youth to explore the world. Having been born with dyslexia, he also wishes to raise awareness on the issues faced by children with special needs and empower them to chase their own dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Upon the successful completion of his expedition, Tan will not only be the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft, but will also be the one to do it in the shortest duration among the youth record holders of this category, recognized by the World Record Academy. He has already been inducted into the Malaysia Book of Records for his previous expedition of 13,000 nautical miles from the United Kingdom to Bangkok and back, completed in 2012. For more information on “1Malaysia Round the World” and to track Tan’s journey, visit www.1rtw.com.my. ###