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From Hollywood To Malaywood To Tourism Industry

Wow!!! Is there a thing called MALAYWOOD ?? I didn’t know that but its one of the popular FB page ..

Anyway , looking back where our Film Industry started ; we should have our own MALAYWOOD.. The industry was so active in 50’s and 60’s that by right we should have a big sustainable international film and creative industry here in Malaysia … Of course , Singapore plays an important role as the Moghul of Malay Film Industry ; Run Run Shaw was based in Singapore .

What I am going to write today is about why should our film industry be linked with the international market such as HOLLYWOOD.

Hollywood’s film and television productions have a significant global reach and influence, and by partnering with Hollywood studios and production companies, Malaysia’s film and television industry can gain access to these global audiences and markets. This can lead to increased exposure for Malaysian productions and talent, as well as potential collaborations and co-productions.

ok ok some says that we don’t have enough acting talents to penetrate Hollywood except one or two such as Michelle Yeo which recently won an award in Golden Globes but Malaysia has a huge talents in other areas such as animation and visual effects (VFX).

The VFX industry is a growing field, with a high demand for skilled professionals. By collaborating with Hollywood studios and companies, Malaysia’s animation and VFX industry can access the latest technology and techniques, as well as opportunities for training and professional development.

By the way , a little sideline ; it’s interesting to know what an independent filmmaker Pete Teo says Malaysia has no right to claim with Michelle Yeoh’s achievement.. Wonder why ??

Anyway , back to the topic .

We all know that Hollywood can also provide opportunities for Malaysia’s creative industry in other areas, such as music, gaming, and digital media. By working with Hollywood studios and companies, Malaysia’s creative industry can gain access to new technologies, funding, and distribution channels.

It’s important to link with Hollywood which will greatly benefit Malaysia’s creative industry, providing opportunities for increased exposure, collaboration, professional development, and access to new technologies and markets. ….

….and It is an important step for Malaysia’s creative industry to take in order to remain competitive in the global entertainment landscape.

and why am i so “SIBUK SIBUK” to encourage Malaysian Film Industry to link with HOLLWOOD ??

What is the benefit for TOURISM INDUSTRY??

Linking with Hollywood will have a positive impact on Malaysia’s tourism industry. Here are a few ways it can help our tourism industry:

  1. Location-based tourism: Hollywood productions often require exotic locations for filming, and Malaysia offers a diverse range of landscapes and settings, from tropical beaches to dense jungles and modern cities. By attracting more Hollywood productions to film in Malaysia, the country can showcase its natural beauty and cultural heritage to a global audience, which can increase interest in visiting the country as a tourist destination.

  2. Film-induced tourism: When a movie or TV show is set or filmed in a particular location, it can create a sense of familiarity and intrigue among viewers, which can lead to increased tourism to that location. For example, the popularity of the TV show “Lost” led to a significant increase in tourism to Hawaii, where it was filmed.

  3. Promotion of Malaysia: Hollywood productions can serve as a platform to promote Malaysia as a tourism destination. For example, if a Hollywood production prominently features Malaysia’s food, culture, or landmarks, it can increase awareness and interest in visiting the country among the global audience.

  4. Job Creation: The growth in the tourism industry will also lead to more job creation in the sector, which can benefit the local population.

Linking with Hollywood can greatly benefit Malaysia’s tourism industry by showcasing the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, attracting more visitors, and promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination. It can also create more job opportunities for locals.

Now who should do the linkage between HOLLYWOOD and MALAYWOOD , that will be a different topic. Who’s job is that?

Actually , we used to have the link with Hollywood when famous actor John Wayne visited Malay Studio in Singapore

We were also lucky that we had 1 important persons in our film industry : P.RAMLEE

P. Ramlee was a prominent Malaysian film actor, director, and musician in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a major figure in the development of the Malay film industry and his films were widely popular across Southeast Asia. P. Ramlee’s films often featured elements of traditional Malay culture and folklore and were known for their comedic and musical elements.

We also do not forget that Shaw Brothers Studio plays an important role too

The studio was a Hong Kong based film production company that was also active in Malaysia during the 1950s and 1960s. They produced a number of Malay-language films and played a significant role in the development of the Malay film industry during that time.

Both P. Ramlee and Shaw Brothers studio have contributed significantly to the development of the film industry in Malaysia, by producing and promoting local films, and helping to establish a local movie-going culture. Their films were popular and helped to build the foundation of the film industry in Malaysia.

Now . let’s check out on how Korean Creative Industry started and how it benefit their tourism industry even though they started later than Malaysia.

The history of the Korean creative, film, and tourism industries is closely tied to the country’s political and economic development.

In the early 20th century, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule, during which time the Japanese government heavily suppressed Korean culture and promoted Japanese culture. After World War II and the end of Japanese colonial rule, Korea began to rebuild its economy and culture, and the creative and film industries started to develop.

In the early years of post-war Korea, the film industry was primarily focused on propaganda films that promoted the ideology of the government. However, in the 1960s, the government began to relax censorship laws, and the film industry began to evolve and diversify. This led to the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers, who began to create more socially and politically conscious films.

During the 1970s, the Korean film industry experienced a period of rapid growth, driven by increased investment and the emergence of a new generation of talented filmmakers. In the 1980s, the Korean film industry faced a crisis due to overproduction and a lack of investment, but by the 1990s, the industry had recovered and began to experience a new period of growth, driven by the emergence of new technologies and the increasing popularity of Korean films.

In the early 2000s, the Korean film industry began to gain international recognition for its unique, high-quality, and diverse films. This increased the popularity of Korean films and led to an increase in the number of foreign visitors to Korea.

In terms of the Korean tourism industry, it has seen a steady growth in the last decades. The government has invested in the development of tourism infrastructure, and has also promoted the country as a tourist destination through various campaigns. The growing popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and Korean dramas, has also helped to increase interest in visiting the country.

The Korean creative, film, and tourism industries have a complex history that is closely tied to the country’s political and economic development. It starts with suppression during the Japanese colonial rule, evolved to a propaganda film industry in post-war Korea, then experienced growth and crisis in the following decades and finally achieved international recognition and popularity in the last two decades, which helped the tourism industry to grow as well.

The Korean creative industry, particularly the film industry, has developed into a world-class industry that has helped to boost tourism in the country.

One of the main factors that has contributed to the development of the Korean film industry is government support. The Korean government has invested heavily in the film industry, providing funding for productions, building film studios, and implementing tax incentives for investors. This has helped to attract more investment into the industry, and has enabled the production of more high-quality films.

Another key factor that has helped the Korean film industry to develop is the emergence of a talented and diverse group of filmmakers. Korean directors, actors, and writers have gained recognition and acclaim both domestically and internationally. This has helped to raise the profile of the Korean film industry and has attracted more audiences to Korean films.

The Korean film industry also benefits from a strong domestic market. The Korean audience is known for its passion for films, and this has helped to sustain the industry and allowed for experimentation and innovation.

The Korean film industry has also been successful in exporting its films to international markets. Korean films have gained a reputation for being unique, high-quality and diverse, which has helped to attract more international audiences and increase the popularity of Korean films.

In terms of tourism, the Korean film industry has played a significant role in promoting the country as a destination. The success of the Korean film industry has helped to increase awareness of Korea as a country, and has attracted more visitors. This is especially true for historical and cultural dramas and films, which have helped to boost the interest in Korean history and culture among visitors.

Did you know that in early 2000s, the South Korean entertainment industry, including music and films, experienced a slump. 

But, as the years have progressed, both sectors have grown steadily to become global superpowers in their own rights, experiencing unprecedented levels in sales and developing an audience base all around the world. Today, South Korea has established a reputation as a leading innovator in both technology and creativity. Aside from top technology brands like Samsung and LG, the country has successfully exported K-Pop and K-drama to millions of households internationally.

So what can we learn from Korean innovation, especially with regard to the film industry? Well for one thing, South Korea could be considered a leader in demonstrating how a symbiotic relationship can exist between traditional cinemas and online day and date releases.

The Korean film industry has experienced a rapidly growing digital online market, with IPTV and VOD (video-on-demand) consumption growing from $87.5 million in 2009 to $263.7 million by the end of 2013, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

The Korean VOD market, which was previously an ancillary market for film distribution, has successfully stepped up to be recognised as an equally important distribution channel as theatrical release in terms of marketing and distribution. Production companies and distributors saw the ripening of this previously ancillary market to a full bloom commercial arena for growth and new untapped opportunities.

One such opportunity was the possibility of providing increased integrated market data, including information on revenue from digital distribution, which increasingly helps production companies to better plan their next project and to direct their marketing strategies.

Today, the Korean film and creative industry has grown into a world-class industry thanks to government support, a talented and diverse group of filmmakers, a strong domestic market, and successful export to international markets. It has also played a significant role in promoting Korea as a tourist destination. Who doesn’t know film like WINTER SONATA which popularise Nami Island in Korea.

How we can learn from Korean on how they develop film, creative and tourism industry?

  1. Investing in the film industry: The Korean government has invested heavily in the film industry, providing funding for productions, building film studios, and implementing tax incentives for investors. Malaysia could also invest in the film industry by providing funding for productions and building film studios, as well as implementing similar tax incentives for investors.

  2. Developing a diverse group of filmmakers: Korea has a talented and diverse group of filmmakers. Malaysia could also focus on developing a diverse group of filmmakers by providing training and education opportunities and encouraging the participation of underrepresented groups in the film industry.

  3. Building a strong domestic market: Korea’s strong domestic market has helped to sustain its film industry and allowed for experimentation and innovation. Malaysia could also focus on building a strong domestic market by encouraging the local audience to watch and support Malaysian films.

  4. Exporting films to international markets: Korea has been successful in exporting its films to international markets, which has helped to raise the profile of the Korean film industry. Malaysia could also focus on exporting its films to international markets by participating in international film festivals and markets, and by collaborating with international studios and production companies.

  5. Promoting the country as a tourist destination: Korea’s film industry has played a significant role in promoting the country as a tourist destination. Malaysia could learn from this by promoting its unique cultural heritage and natural beauty through films and other creative works, and by highlighting the filming locations in Malaysia in tourism campaigns.

  6. Creating job opportunities: Korea’s film and creative industry has also created job opportunities for locals. Malaysia could learn from this by creating more job opportunities in the film and creative industry which will help to boost the economic development.

Malaysia can learn a lot from Korea on how to develop its film, creative, and tourism industries by investing in the film industry, developing a diverse group of filmmakers, building a strong domestic market, exporting films to international markets, promoting the country as a tourist destination, and creating job opportunities.

Why is important Malaysia to follow Korean foot step in making Creative , Film and Tourism Industry as the main focus??

I could think some of the reasons:

  1. Economic growth: The creative, film, and tourism industries are important drivers of economic growth. By focusing on these industries, Malaysia can diversify its economy and create new job opportunities.

  2. Branding and promotion: The creative, film, and tourism industries can be used to promote and brand Malaysia as a destination for culture, art, and entertainment. This can help to attract more visitors and investment to the country.

  3. Cultural preservation and promotion: The creative and film industries can be used to preserve and promote Malaysia’s unique cultural heritage and traditions. This can help to raise awareness of Malaysia’s culture and history, and attract more visitors interested in experiencing it.

  4. Access to global markets: The film and creative industries are global in nature and by focusing on these industries, Malaysia can gain access to global audiences and markets. This can lead to increased exposure for Malaysian productions and talent, as well as potential collaborations and co-productions.

  5. Innovation and development: By focusing on the creative, film and tourism industries, Malaysia can foster innovation and development in these areas. This can lead to the creation of new technologies, products, and services, which can benefit other industries as well.

  6. Increase competitiveness: By following Korea’s footsteps in making the creative, film and tourism industries a main focus, Malaysia can increase its competitiveness in the global entertainment landscape.

I personally believe that CREATIVE INDUSTRY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR MALAYSIA TOURISM INDUSTRY.. It’s a WIN WIN SITUATION For EVERYONE

Can we agree on this ??

Malaysia should focus on the creative, film, and tourism industries as it can drive economic growth, promote and brand the country, preserve and promote cultural heritage, gain access to global markets, foster innovation and development, and increase competitiveness in the global entertainment landscape.

… but first thing first , let’s do a little bit HOUSEKEEPING

We are taking care of our own CREATIVE TALENTS??

For example : Are we taking care of CONTENT PROVIDER as we know CONTENT is THE KING and we need a lot of quality CONTENT PROVIDER ..

Who are taking care of Screenwriter ?? Are they being paid enough ?

I personally know that one screenwriter been paid only Rm 150 eventhough she successfully pitched the film to received a Govt grant of Rm 700,000..

Now is it fair ?? and there is no current mechanism that Screenwriter gets any royalty same as Song Writer ..

So there is a need to do a little bit of HOUSEKEEPING before we can move forward.. It’s a CHICKEN and EGGS kind of thing

Whatever it is , we need to make sure that there is a strong link between HOLLYOOD and MALAYWOOD in order to bring Malaysia Tourism Industry to another level..

What says you ??

Apa itu Pelancongan Madani?

Apa itu MADANI ?

“Madani” adalah istilah yang digunakan untuk menggambarkan sesuatu yang berhubungan dengan kehidupan bernegara yang baik dan beradab, yang di dalamnya terdapat prinsip-prinsip keadilan, kesejahteraan sosial, perlindungan hak asasi manusia, dan pembagian kekayaan secara adil.

Secara lebih spesifik, madani dapat diartikan sebagai suatu kondisi sosial, politik, dan ekonomi yang stabil dan sejahtera, di mana masyarakat dapat hidup dalam suasana damai dan aman, tanpa diskriminasi, serta memiliki akses yang sama terhadap pelayanan dasar dan hak-hak sosial.

Dalam Islam, madani juga diartikan sebagai suatu kondisi masyarakat yang dibangun berdasarkan prinsip-prinsip islam yang sejahtera dan seimbang, di mana hak-hak manusia diakui dan dihormati, serta di mana aspek-aspek sosial, politik, ekonomi, dan lingkungan dikelola secara adil dan bertanggung jawab.

Apa pulak maksudnya PELANCONGAN MADANI ?

“Pelancongan Madani” adalah istilah yang digunakan untuk menggambarkan suatu cara untuk merencanakan, mengelola dan mengejar kegiatan pelancongan yang sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip keadilan, kesejahteraan sosial, perlindungan hak asasi manusia, dan pembagian kekayaan secara merata.

Secara lebih spesifik, PELANCONGAN MADANI dapat diartikan sebagai suatu cara untuk mengelola kegiatan pelancongan yang memperhatikan dampak sosial, ekonomi, dan lingkungan dari pelancongan tersebut, serta memastikan bahwa keuntungan dari aktiviti pelancongan dibagikan secara merata antara masyarakat lokal dan pemerintah. Ini yang saya di MITA war warkan supaya setiap pakej pelancongan mesti mementingkan LOCAL COMMUNITIES . Ini juga di terjemahkan di produk HOMESTAYS

Pelancongan Madani juga diartikan sebagai suatu cara untuk mengelola aktiviti pelancongan dengan menghormati budaya, adat istiadat dan lingkungan serta menjaga kesejahteraan masyarakat setempat.(sekali lagi , LOCAL COMMUNITIES) .

Pelancong yang datang ke suatu negara harus menghormati budaya, adat istiadat dan lingkungan yang ada di tempat tujuan mereka, serta memastikan bahwa kegiatan mereka tidak merugikan masyarakat setempat. Itu sebab betapa penting kita mencari PELANCONG YANG BERKUALITI dari PELANCONG YANG BEKUANTITI.

Secara keseluruhan, Pelancongan Madani di maksudkan sebagai suatu cara untuk merencanakan, mengelola dan mengejar kegiatan pelancongan yang berfokus pada kesejahteraan sosial, hak asasi manusia, dan perlindungan lingkungan yang di dalamnya diperhatikan aspek-aspek kesejahteraan, keadilan, dan keseimbangan.

Hari ini YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia telah memberi amanat ‘Membangun Malaysia Madani’ di Putrajaya hari ini. Pada pendapat saya , ia bertepatan sekali melihat progres dan kehendak industri pelancongan semasa dan demi masa depan industri .

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim berkata “Malaysia Madani” tidak akan meminggirkan golongan minoriti meski mengiktiraf Melayu sebagai majoriti. Ini amat penting sebab

“Membangun Secara Madani” adalah istilah yang digunakan untuk menggambarkan proses pembangunan yang dilakukan dengan cara yang sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip keadilan, kebenaran, kepatutan, dan keseimbangan. Ini berarti bahwa proses pembangunan harus menghormati hak-hak setiap individu dan masyarakat, serta memperhatikan dampak lingkungan dan sosial dari pembangunan tersebut.

Proses pembangunan yang madani juga harus diarahkan untuk memperbaiki kualitas hidup masyarakat dan meningkatkan kesejahteraan sosial. Hal ini bisa dilakukan dengan memastikan bahwa proyek pembangunan harus diarahkan untuk meningkatkan akses masyarakat terhadap layanan dasar seperti pendidikan, kesehatan, air bersih dan infrastruktur.

Secara keseluruhan, membangun secara madani adalah proses pembangunan yang berfokus pada kesejahteraan sosial, hak asasi manusia, dan perlindungan lingkungan yang di dalamnya diperhatikan aspek-aspek kesejahteraan, keadilan, dan keseimbangan.

Bagaimana Industri Pelancongan Malaysian boleh membangun secara Madani ?

Sebenarnya , Industri pelancongan di Malaysia sebelum pandemik COVID 19 telah mengalami pertumbuhan yang NEGATIF dalam beberapa tahun terakhir berbanding dengan pertumbuhan yang positif di negara Asean yang lain . Walaupun jumlah ketibaan pelancongan yang ramai tetapi jika mengikut kadar pertumbuhnan jumlah pelancong yang datang ke negara , ia mengalami kadar negatif.

Adakah kemajuan di Industri Pelancongan sedah menjadi TEPU dan sudah ke tahap MAKSIMA ?

Padahal , banyak lagi produk produk pelancongan Malaysia masih belum di cungkil , di asah dan di pasarkan…

Oleh itu kita semua di Penggiat Industri Pelancongan kena fikir cara yan terbaik untuk kita teruskan agenda MEMANTAPKAN INDUSTRI KITA .

Oleh itu , untuk memastikan pertumbuhan positif di masa yang akan datang , industri ini harus dibangun dengan cara yang MADANI sesuai dengan polisi Membangun Negara Madani yang diterapkan oleh kerajaan Malaysia.

Salah satu cara untuk membangun industri pelancongan secara madani adalah dengan meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan yang diberikan kepada pelancong. Ini dapat dilakukan dengan memberikan training” kepada pekerja di industri pelancongan untuk meningkatkan kompetensi mereka dalam memberikan pelayanan yang baik dan profesional kepada pelancong. Bukan itu saja,kita kena harus sematkan di hati penduduk tempatan betapa pentingnya sumbangan industri pelancongan kepada ekonomi setempat.

PELANCONG BELANJA DAN SECARA LANGSUNG ,EKONOMI SETEMPAT AKAN DAPAT MANFAAT.

Selain itu, industri pelancongan juga harus memperhatikan aspek keselamatan dan kesejahteraan pelancong. Kerajaan Malaysia harus mengambil tindakan untuk menjamin keselamatan pelancong yang datang ke negara ini, misalnya dengan meningkatkan pengawasan di tempat-tempat pelancongan yang populer dan meningkatkan kualitas infrastruktur keselamatan. Saya ingat lagi sebelum 2020 , kebanyakan agen pelancongan tempatan yang membawa pelancong ke tempat tempat melawat ; harus mengambil anggota RELA untuk menjaga keselematan pelancong . ini di sebabkan banyak kes RAGUT di tempat tempat HOT TOURIST.

Industri pelancongan juga harus memperhatikan aspek lingkungan dan sosial. Kerajaan Malaysia harus mengambil tindakan untuk melindungi lingkungan dan budaya tempat-tempat pelancongan, serta memberikan kontribusi positif terhadap masyarakat setempat. Ini dapat dilakukan dengan memastikan bahwa pengembangan tempat-tempat pelancongan dilakukan dengan cara yang sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip pembangunan yang berkelanjutan.

Dalam proses pemulihan ini , saya amat mengharapkan pihak penguatkuasa bukan hanya mengenakan denda kepada syarikat pelancongan yang berlesen sahaja dan tidak menghiraukan kepada yang tidak berlesen . DI sebabkan ini . ramai penggiat industri berfikirkan “KENAPA YANG BERLESEN SAJA KENA DENDA TETAPI YANG TAK BERLESEN BEBAS BOLEH DI BENARKAN BERNIAGA DAN MELAKUKAN KESALAHAN TANPA DI KENAKAN DENDA?” Bagi pendapat penggiat industri yang berdaftar , mereka telah berbelanja besar untuk menjadi LEGAL entiti .. Banyak proses mereka melalui untuk mereka mematuh undang undang yang ditetapkan . Ini memerlukan MODAL DAN MASA ..

Oleh itu amat penting dalam konsep MADANI ini , penghukuman. harus di kenakan secara adil…. Perlu juga ada elemen EMPATHY semasa penghukuman kepada syarikat pelancongan yang berdaftar semasa era PEMULIHAN akibat PANDEMIK COVID ini.

Saya berpendapat amat penting COLLABORATION DAN COOPERATION antara pihak pengguasa dan pihak industri.

Secara keseluruhan, untuk membangun industri pelancongan di Malaysia secara madani, kerajaan dan penggiat industri harus bekerja sama untuk meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan, memperhatikan aspek keselamatan dan kesejahteraan pelancong, serta memperhatikan aspek lingkungan dan sosial. Dengan melakukan hal ini, industri pelancongan di Malaysia dapat tumbuh secara berkelanjutan dan memberikan manfaat bagi negara dan masyarakat.

Jom kita pulang ke pangkal jalan – INDUSTRY MUST WORK TOGETHER WITH AUTHORITIES TO MOVE FORWARD THE INDUSTRY TO THE NEW ERA . LET’s make MALAYSIA IN THE TOP 10 TOURIST DESTINATION LIST IN THE WORLD.

… dan sama sama kearah PELANCONGAN MADANI MALAYSIA

Should we promote Malaysian Cuisine in US market ??

Nasi Lemak is getting popular in UK market but what about in US ?

If you have been in a foreign country for a week , normally you will crave your own food and starts to search for Malaysian Restaurants. This what happen to me when I arrived in Los Angeles since last week .

When you check out the restaurant at Trip Advisor , looks like there are not much choices.

Of course in the beginning , if you search , there are tons of the listing but only few are actually Malaysia such as Ipon Kopitiam and Belacan Grill.. but these are the genuine Malaysian Restaurants…. such a pity for a big market .

and I believe its important for the respective market to sample our foods as we have a fantastic type of foods ..

We know that Malaysian cuisine is a delicious and diverse blend of flavors, with influences from Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures.

However, it is not as well-known or widely available in the United States as other Asian cuisines such as Chinese or Japanese or even Thais . But with an increasing number of Malaysians living in America, it’s becoming more common to see Malaysian food in the states.

Promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States may have a positive impact on tourism to Malaysia. When people try and enjoy a cuisine, they often become curious about the culture and country where it originates. If more Americans are exposed to and develop a taste for Malaysian cuisine, they may be more likely to consider visiting Malaysia to experience the food and culture in person.

Additionally, food and culinary tourism is becoming more popular, which means that people are more likely to plan their trips around trying local foods and experiencing different cuisines. By promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States, it could encourage more Americans to visit Malaysia to experience the food and culture firsthand.

WHY??

There are several reasons why promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States is a good idea:

  1. Cultural exchange: Promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States can help to promote cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries. It can also help to introduce Americans to the rich and diverse culture of Malaysia.

  2. Unique flavors and ingredients: Malaysian cuisine is known for its unique blend of flavors and use of ingredients such as lemongrass, tamarind, and turmeric. Highlighting these unique elements can help attract people to try the cuisine.

  3. Economic benefits: The food industry is a major contributor to the economy, and promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States can help to create jobs and boost the economy.

  4. Increase in Food Tourism: By promoting and showcasing the rich flavors and authenticity of Malaysian cuisine, it could attract more food tourists to visit Malaysia.

  5. Representing diversity: America is a melting pot of cultures and promoting Malaysian cuisine in the US, will represent the diversity of the country.

  6. Health benefits: Many traditional Malaysian dishes are made with fresh and healthy ingredients, promoting Malaysian cuisine could also promote healthy eating.

How To Promote Malaysian Cuisine ??

One way to make Malaysian cuisine more popular in the United States is to promote its unique flavors and ingredients. Malaysian cuisine is known for its unique blend of flavors and use of ingredients such as lemongrass, tamarind, and turmeric. Highlighting these unique elements can help attract people to try the cuisine.

Another way to increase the popularity of Malaysian cuisine is to partner with food influencers and bloggers. By working with popular food bloggers and influencers, it can help increase visibility and exposure for Malaysian cuisine. This will allow more people to learn about the food, and try it for themselves.

Organizing food festivals and events that feature Malaysian cuisine is another way to introduce people to the flavors and dishes. Food festivals and events are a great way to introduce people to the flavors and dishes of a cuisine. They allow people to try a variety of different foods and learn about the culture behind the cuisine.

Offering cooking classes and demos is another way to educate people about the cuisine and teach them how to make popular Malaysian dishes at home. This will also allow people to try the dishes they learn to make and see how they can replicate it at home.

Promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States can help to increase awareness of the country and its culture, which could help to increase tourism in the long run.

In conclusion, promoting Malaysian cuisine in the United States can be a great way to increase tourism to Malaysia.

Imagine Most Popular Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian promoting Malaysian Cuisine. It will be a huge positive impact for Malaysian branding here in US .

By showcasing the unique flavors and ingredients of the cuisine and working with food influencers and bloggers, it is possible to increase awareness and appreciation of Malaysian cuisine in the United States.

This can lead to more Americans visiting Malaysia to experience the food and culture firsthand.

so as a conclusion , I personally think that it’s important to promote Malaysian cuisine in all international big market such as in US market

Should We Welcome Chinese Tourist?

DO YOU KNOW THAT ???

In the years before Covid, China was the world’s most important source of international travelers. Its 155 million tourists spent more than a quarter of a trillion dollars beyond its borders in 2019. 

China averaged about 12 million outbound air passengers per month in 2019 and Malaysia only received 3.1 Chinese tourist per year in 2019 where else Thailand received 11 millions Chinese tourists in 2019 .

That largesse fell precipitously over the past three years as the country essentially closed its borders. But, as China opens on 8th January , millions of tourists are poised to return to the world stage, raising hopes of a rebound for the global hospitality industry. 

I think although international travel may not return immediately to pre-pandemic levels, companies, industries and countries that rely on Chinese tourists will get a boost in 2023

I was told by our counterpart in China that searches for international flights and accommodations immediately hit a three-year high on trip.com platform .

Bookings for overseas travel during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which falls between January 21 and January 27 this year, have soared by 540% from a year ago, according to data from the Chinese travel site and average spending per booking jumped 32%.

I think that this trend of REVENGE TOURISM will be a huge opportunities for tourism players . But unfortunately , Malaysia is not one of the top search for Chinese tourist.

The top destinations for Chinese tourist are in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong. The United States and the United Kingdom also ranked among the top 10

Southeast Asian countries like Thailand , Indonesia , Singapore and Philippines have kept entry rules relatively relaxed for Chinese tourists, despite the record Covid-19 outbreak that has swept through China in recent weeks. They will surely benefit from this boom

When I arrived in Los Angeles International Airport recently , I found that there were at least 4 flights from China arrived at the same time and I didn’t see any new SOP or restriction on Chinese tourist . So I assume US also welcome them by not making any testing requirement.

Xiamen Airline =One of the four flights from China that arrived the same time as my flight in Los Angeles Airport

New Zealand has also waived testing requirements for Chinese visitors, who were the second largest source of tourist revenue for the country before the pandemic.

I strongly believe that Chinese tourist are the great opportunities for Malaysia as we can accelerate our country’s economic recovery. I believe that tourism industry can strengthen our economy in 2023 .

Chinese travellers have money and will to spend . If any country not easily accessible , they will spend somewhere else .

So it’s up to us to welcome Chinese tourist and make it easier for them to spend money in Malaysia.

Now back to the question – Should we welcome Chinese tourist to Malaysia ?? What say you ?