Maha can be tourist attraction

SERDANG: The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (Maha) has great potential to become an attraction for tourists from around the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Maha had progressed from being just an agricultural show into an event that could attract visitors from far and wide.

"Maha is interesting as it showcases a wide variety of agricultural products, fresh produce, agrotechnology and the latest technological advances in the sector.

"This means that Maha can be touted as a tourist centre and an attraction for both locals and foreigners," he told reporters after touring the new Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute site in Serdang near Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday where the show was held this year.

Najib said the large number of foreign exhibitors this year was a step forward in making Maha a tourist destination when they visit Malaysia.

For the first time also, the exhibition had an international pavilion showcasing agricultural developments in China, Australia, Canada, India and other countries.

China was invited as the ‘guest nation’ and next year, the honour will go to Australia.

Najib said a RM220 million allocation had been approved by the Cabinet during Wed- nesday’s meeting for the development of the site as a permanent exhibition centre.

As great importance had been placed on the agricultural sector, Najib said it marked a paradigm shift for the sector as it had proven to yield positive economic returns.

He said even the popularity of traditional agricultural produce, such as vegetables, fruits and livestock, had shown an upward trend of late.

"The agricultural sector is no more seen as a less competitive sector, but as a positive and dynamic sector," he said.

Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Refurbishes its Vintage Citroen Traction Avant

The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi has refurbished its much-loved Metropole "Citroen Traction Avant", a vintage car that has for many years added a touch of historic and nostalgic flair to the hotel.

To celebrate the revamp of this special car, which is usually parked right outside the hotel’s front door, there are two new packages - the “Hanoi Shopping Tour” and the “Hanoi Discovery Tour”.

Tourists now have the chance to experience this unique form of transport whilst enjoying the intriguing culture, history, architecture, lifestyle and landscape of Hanoi, a city that has a well-deserved reputation as one of the loveliest city's in Asia.

The vintage Citroen Car shuttles day-trippers through maze-like side streets such as Furniture Street and Copper Streets. They can also see the finest silks and “Ao Dai” (traditional Vietnamese dresses), as well as “Non” (hats) in Hang Gai/Hang Dao Street.

The specially designed tour packages by Sofitel Metropole Hanoi are conveniently available at the concierge. Travelers can also hire the car and custom-make their own day trip, priced at US$25 per hour.

2007 to be Malaysia’s big year of racing and travel

2007 is going to be a big year for Malaysia. The strong interest from Australian and New Zealand fans of the Grand Prix means that the April 6 and 8 races at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur and the build up of the Malaysia Year 2007 campaign will mean that there will be more visitors to the popular country than ever.

This year, Malaysia will be playing host to the second round of the world championship. The first round will be held at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 15 and 18, 2007. This connection is sure to attract a whole flock of enthusiasts travelling from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur to round three in Bahrain on April 13 and 15, and beyond.

Richard Poi, the Australian and New Zealand representative for Asian Overland Services Tours and Travel said that he has been negotiating with sellers across the country to handle bookings and travel packages cater especially for the Grand Prix.

Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit will a particularly popular venue for the event with 107,000 spectators attending this year’s event. Poi predicts that the numbers for attendance at the second leg of the 2007 Grand Prix will surpass even these numbers.

Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai to open next month

The Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai is located right along the banks of the Ping River and aims to offer guests a memorable experience right near the city centre.

The hotel is schedule to open on 1 December 2006 and is being developed by Riverside Spa Resort Co Ltd. It will be Accor’s 50th Sofitel in the Asia Pacific region.

The property is located only five minutes walk from Chiang Mai’s popular night bazaar and a number of key cultural and historical attractions.

Boasting 74 rooms, the resort will combine Thai “Lanna” architecture with modern amenities and the latest technology. This means that the hotel will capture the uniqueness of Chiang Mai’s ancient heritage combined with contemporary facilities and services.

Facilities available to guests include dining options from three restaurants and a bar, three meeting rooms, swimming pool and Jacuzzi; as well as a fitness centre and sauna. The Aspara Spa and beauty salon will also feature six twin bed treatment rooms, allowing guests to indulge in a variety of spa and body treatments.

Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg commented: “The Sofitel will offer some of Chiang Mai’s finest accommodation and will help cater for the growing demand for authentic, upmarket accommodation in Chiang Mai.

The Sofitel will be an important addition to the Sofitel network in Thailand, joining Sofitels in Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Hua Hin and Pattaya.”

The latest addition to the group reaffirms the brand’s plans to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region. The property in Chiang Mia will be the 9th Sofitel to open in Thailand, and the 50th Sofitel hotel in the network. It has been confirmed that by the end of 2007 there will be over 70 Sofitel hotels in operation around the Asia Pacific.

The Cuisine of Body, Soul, Spirit, and Spa is theme of Taipei's Hot Spring Festival 2006

The coming of November sees the beginning of winter in Taiwan, and also the launching of the annual Taipei Hot Spring Festival.

Celebrating its sixth anniversary, this year’s festival is themed -“The Cuisine of Body, Soul, Spirit, and Spa”, emphasizing body maintenance and health. From now until April, 2007, the annual event aims to combine its promotion with Taipei local cultural charm, to further enhance the image of Taipei city being an international tourist hub in the island of Formosa.

A Beautiful Encounter of Hot Spring and Flower

Hot spring and flower are the two major natural resources in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, especially in the famous city’s spots like Beitou and Yangming Mountain that attract numerous overseas tourists every year. Utilizing its natural possession, the Taipei government has combined the two charms, promoting its extraordinary hot springs with the internationally-known flower events like Taipei Flower Expo and Yangming Mountain Flower Expo. A “Marriage of Hot Spring and Flower” has hence become the city’s major festivial of the year.

The half-year long “marriage” festivity started off with Taipei Hot Spring Festival last month, followed by Taipei Flower Expo in November, then Shilin Chrysanthemum Expo in December and the one-month Yangming Mountain Flower Festival in February, and will end with the Zhuzi Lake Sea Taro Festival in April.

An Affair of Fun and Fitness in Taipei Hot Spring Festival

This year, Taipei Hot Spring Festival launches a line of activities kick-starting with “The Fun Diary of Witch” that comprises two themed items namely “Beitou Five Levels Five Tasks” and “Beitou Daren All-rounder”.

In correspondence to the festival’s focus of body maintenance and health, and the Taipei City Government’s goal of transforming Taipei into a healthy city, a “Hot Spring Journey of Healthy Life” has also been organized. The journey offers participants a full-service health package that includes a health check by Taiwan’s famous health clinic, high-quality healthy hot spring sessions, physical test and body-maintaining aerobics etc.

Elsewhere, various hot spring hotels and resorts have designed specially-made packages and discounts, offering participants a wide range of hot springs, accommodation and dining promotions.

Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa introduces New Complimentary Refreshing Personalized Poolside Service

The Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa has introduced a new complimentary refreshing poolside service for guests which includes iced water on arrival at the pool together with a cold towel, a personal water spray bottle of iced water to spritz themselves with, and iced tea of the day. The items are replenished at regular intervals throughout the duration of the guests stay at the pool and a different type of tea is served on a daily basis.

Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa has two swimming pools and bars. The main pool has three levels decorated with Oriental sculptures and water features. The pool is adjacent to the secluded beach and has magnificent views of the Gulf of Siam. The resort’s 50 meter Leelawadee Lap Pool is located adjacent to the resort’s Deluxe Rooms and is set amongst the lush tropical landscape and offers a peaceful oasis.

In addition, live BBQ cooking and a selection of cocktails, drinks, salads, sandwiches and Asian-influenced casual fare are also available for guests wishing to dine poolside, and can conveniently be charged to their room.