Perhaps in line with fifty years of independence, the country has organized fifty major tourist events to be held throughout the entire year. Although the number varies, that amounts to between 2 and 6 different events each month in Malaysia.
Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, the Minister of Tourism Malaysia, spoke about this Visit Malaysia 2007 at a press conference at the Putra World Trade Center. He said: "This VMY 2007 campaign is the third in the series and I am confident it will surpass the successes of the previous campaigns held in 1990 and 1994. This is due to the meticulous planning and innovative tourism products lined up for the 20.1 million visitors expected to descend upon our shores."
The party to begin all parties
It all began with the Grand Launching of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 on Saturday, the 6th of January. The grand celebration was officially launched by the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, or Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, in Kuala Lumpur. The gala event included concerts by renowned Malaysian artists, water skiing, fireworks and a laser show over the lake. The event also unveiled a 60 meter high Ferris wheel dubbed the Eye on Malaysia -- the first Ferris wheel in Southeast Asia. Two weeks later the country kicked off its Flora Fest, a flower celebration that included a parade with flower-bedecked floats, a Florathon in Kuala Lumpur, and a Floral Bazaar for all things flower- related. Florists around the world attended to learn floral crafts at the floral craft workshops and show off their photography skills at the photography exhibition in Perbadanan Putrajaya exhibition hall.
The country has kept up the fast pace of cultural events. In Abdul Mutalib Awang, director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board February there were no less than five major events that were impossible to miss. On Federal Territory Day, February 1, there were parades, fireworks displays, exhibitions and cultural shows throughout the country. On the same day at the Batu Caves in Selangor Hindu devotees celebrated the Thaipusam Festival. Thousands of devoted followers carried ceremonial frames in a mass procession to the sacred caves. Also in February was Asia's version of the Tour of France bicycle marathon, called Le Tour de Langkawi. The best golf courses in the country were host to the Malaysia Open Golf Championship, including such courses as The Mines, Royal Selangor Golf and Country Club and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. The last event in February was the Chinese New Year Celebration, which included elaborate dance performances of lions and dragons in public areas.
All of these events are unfortunately already over, but the interested international tourist has ten more months and 42 more major events to catch in the country of Malaysia, too many to list them all. And that is to say nothing of the over two hundred other smaller events scheduled around the country. It is as Director Awang said: "We want to bring Malaysia to the world, and to bring the world to Malaysia."
Interesting and various
Tourism is the second largest industry in Malaysia after manufacturing. Over fifteen million tourists visit the country every year, and the goal for this year is to push the number to 20.1 million. Out of those 20 million, Malaysia expects 250,000 to be from Korea. Koreans usually visit Malaysia for its leisure activities, most notably its very affordable golf courses. The country is home to some of the cheapest and most affordable courses in the world. The courses are also the most varied, set on islands, in the hills, by beaches, and even in the jungle.
Eco-tourism is also a major attraction for the Malaysia-bound tourist. The land is a tropical paradise, with over 50 percent of the country still under the cover of trees. The South China Sea and the Indian Ocean are accessible to the visitor, so marine activities are also in abundant supply. Some of the world's rarest plants and animals can be found in the country from the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, to the small pygmy squirrel.
Several national parks and marine parks preserve the beautiful natural environment for those who can appreciate it. Taman Negara, reportedly the most popular national park in the country, contains jungle-covered mountain and plateaus with rare birds and butterflies. Endau-Rompin National Park lies on the east coast of the peninsular part of Malaysia, and is both one of the few remaining lowland dipterocarp forests and the last home of the Sumatran rhinoceros. Kinabalu National Park in Sabah contains Mount Kinabalu, which can be climbed in the span of two days. Niah National Park in Sarawak contains the notable Niah Caves, the largest of which spans over 110,000 square meters (37,000 pyeong). Bako National Park is located at the mouth of the Bako River and contains many unique sandstone cliffs, secluded coves and rocky headlands. A marine park called Pulau Redang consists of nine islands off the Terengganu coast, and includes a fascinating set of table coral formations which are home to an almost infinite variety of marine life.
Getting There
There are many airlines that travel directly from Seoul to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and to Kinabalu. Malaysia Airlines itself offers daily service to both destinations from Incheon. Also, Korea Airlines flies to Kuala Lumpur regularly and Asiana Airlines has a connection between Incheon and Kinabalu. It is a short five hour flight to Kinabalu, and a relatively painless six hour flight to the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
