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Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair 2005 A Major Success!
The second Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair held two weeks ago at Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu garnered a staggering total sales volume of RM115 million, exceeding the national carrier`s earlier target of RM100 million. RM111.7 million was recorded from the sale of air tickets and Golden Holiday packages, while the airline`s Internet Booking Facility (IBF) registered the remaining RM3.3 million.
The event, a brainchild of Dato` Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, Managing Director Malaysia Airlines, to reward loyal customers with valued deals for their air travel and vacations as well as provide business partners with an avenue to promote their value-added products and services directly to consumers, attracted an impressive 83,500 visitors throughout the entire country.
In announcing the updates today on the travel fair, Malaysia Airlines' General Manager Sales, Mr. Nick Phang Pow Ing said, "The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair has in many ways proven that we have developed a win-win formula that benefits everyone including our loyal customers and business partners."
Mr. Phang further added, "We are also very encouraged by the public response towards Malaysia Airlines` Internet Booking Facility. We recognise that our customers are tech-savvy and our success here demonstrates the growing level of confidence towards online purchases, indicating that the Internet is becoming a fundamental tool to reach out to our customers, especially where geographical barriers exist."
The top 10 popular destinations during the travel fair included London, Manchester, Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Perth, Auckland, Brisbane and Hong Kong. Overall statistics also revealed that members of the public took advantage of the offers applicable from 19 February till 31 October 2005, to firm up their travel plans. The month of May recorded the highest sales volume, registering at 25% of the total sales generated.
As for Golden Holidays packages, 63.5% of the total sales volume for this product was for domestic destinations with Kuching being the most preferred destination followed by Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi respectively. On the international front, Denpasar was the most preferred destination, followed by the Umrah packages to Saudi Arabia and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Commenting on the encouraging achievement of the event, Mr. Phang said, "Based on the overwhelming response from the public, our decision to extend the travel fair to other parts of Malaysia has certainly paid off. On behalf of Malaysia Airlines, I take this opportunity to thank members of the public, participating agents, and our staff once again for their support and commitment in making the 2nd travel fair an incredible success."
Malaysia Airlines had also committed that the entrance fee proceeds from the travel fair this year would be donated towards tsunami relief and other charitable causes. In keeping up with this commitment, on behalf of the national carrier, Mr Phang handed over RM 25,000.00 each to Mercy Malaysia and Yayasan Salam for post-tsunami relief initiatives as well as to MAKNA (National Cancer Council). The airline will also donate similarly to charity organisations in Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu by next week.
The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair this year was held simultaneously for the first time in 4 cities in Malaysia from February 19-20 and was further extended for the next two days at the national carrier's ticketing offices in Malaysia and the offices of the participating agents.
Besides providing the public with limitless options and bargain deals for their air travel needs, Malaysia Airlines also took the opportunity to feature its other products and services like Golden Holidays packages, Enrich Frequent Flyer Loyalty Programme, GRADS, Temptations Inflight Shopping, Internet Booking Facility (IBF) and Haj & Charters at the fair. The airline also held a recruitment drive where those interested in a career as a cabin crew, Trainee Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (TAME), or Cadet Pilot signed up at the fair.
In addition, local and international acts kept the crowd entertained throughout the two days. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian pop star Siti Nurhaliza made a special appearance, and SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star were the delight of every child present. Performances by the New Zealand National Tourist Organisation were widely popular, with impromptu dance lessons given, Maori style. Surfing games were also organised by Grads for the youth to support Grads` recruitment drive. In Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu similar activities were carried out, making the Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair a fun-filled experience for all in the family.
Kuala Lumpur 09/03/2005
