AEC Feed

Malaysians thinking of booking a British holiday following the sudden dip in the pound sterling after the Brexit vote won may be in for a disappointment.
The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents said the public should not assume they would pay less by booking flights now.
MATTA Selangor chapter chairman Akil Yusof said the price of tickets for travel in November and December might not include fuel surcharges or airport taxes.
These charges are imposed when tickets are issued, typically one month before travel, and could increase or decrease depending on the value of the ringgit.
He said there were instances in 2014 and 2015 when these charges were equivalent to or even more than the cost of the ticket. – The Star

Aquino’s tourism pitch lures foreigners to Philippines

Despite the number of natural catastrophes that batter the Philippines every year, the country has experienced “continued, steady, and uninterrupted” growth in the tourism sector, thanks to a strategy employed by the government of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III.
The government under Benigno rallied the Philippines five years ago with its battle cry “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slowly shedding off its image of being a haven for terrorists and a playground for killer typhoons.
Today, the tourism industry has become a “national industry” that has provided jobs to many Filipinos while showcasing the pristine beauty of the country’s investment worthy resources. – Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesia set to welcome more holidaymakers from eastern Europe

Tourists from eastern Europe are slated to flock to Indonesia this year.
A small number of tourists from the region reportedly visited Bali and considered the island one of their favourite destinations.
“Bali has already become a popular destination for people from Kazakhstan,” I Gde Pitana, deputy minister for overseas promotion at the Tourism Ministry, told The Jakarta Post. “There are already a number of people from Kazakhstan coming to Bali, but the number is very small.”
I Gde Pitana added he was optimistic the country would see more eastern Europeans visiting Bali and other destinations beyond the island, especially since one of the regions’ airlines has opened a new direct route to Bali. – The Jakarta Post

Malaysia-Guangdong |businessmen meet

Businessmen and investors gathered at The Oakroom in Bangsar South to network and listen to upcoming efforts for closer economic cooperation between Malaysia and China’s Guangdong province.
Spearheaded by the Malaysia-Guangdong Chamber of Investment Promotion (MGCIP), over 100 businessmen and bankers from Malaysia and China attended the event.
MGCIP president Tan Sri Lim Hock San, who is managing director of developer LBS Bina Group, thanked the visitors for their participation.
“Every year, the MGCIP will organise a meeting, either in Guangdong or Malaysia, to assist investors and businessmen in promoting bilateral trade between the coastal province and Malaysia. “This doesn’t just help generate better business ties but also indirectly forge a closer relationship between China and Malaysia as well,” said Lim. – The Star

Vietnam’s Dong Nai province attracts US$1 billion in FDI

The southern province of Dong Nai attracted US$1.01 billion (Bt35.6 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first six months of the year, surpassing its $1 billion target set for the year.
While nearly $400 million was for 53 new projects, over $600 million was added to another 42 projects.
South Korea invested $111 million for 23 projects. – Viet Nam News