Launching of Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival
By CT Hj Mahmod

Malaysia's Minister of Tourism (2nd left) and its Deputy Minister (2nd right) at the official launching event of the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival.

Models showcasing fashion from the old days, keeping in line with the theme, 'Fashion and Lifestyle'.

Delegates from Brunei comprising local travel agents, the RBA representative and local press, during a group photo with Tourism Malaysia's official at the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival Launch.

The Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival this year is expected to attract 50 million tourists from around the region with an estimated foreign exchange earnings of RM 6.9 billion or US$1.5 billion.

Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this prior to the launching of the Mega Sale Carnival, adding that Malaysia's tourism industry is the second largest significant contributor towards the country's economy.

The Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival this year will be held from July 24 till September 5, replacing the three-time annual affair since its inception in 1999.

This signifies a six-week long shopping spree of bargains and discounts on a wide range of goods and products, concessions on hotel room rates, food and beverages, as well as holiday packages.

The variety of merchandise available during the sale ranges from sophisticated high-tech equipment and haute couture to cosmetics and unique knick-knacks, with up to 70 per cent discounts on selected items.

The colourful Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival officiated by the Minister of Tourism, Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad was launched at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur - the largest shopping complex in the country, which houses more than 1,000 shop lots and a variety of retail anchors.

With the theme for this year's Mega Sale Carnival, 'Fashion and Lifestyle', the launching event showcased the latest apparel and lifestyles accessories as well as entertainment products, home furnishing and Malaysian crafts.

Present at the event were the 'Friends of Malaysia' - Tourism Malaysia's invited delegates from Japan, India and Hong Kong as well as Southeast Asian countries including Brunei.

A total of ten representatives from Brunei were invited for the six-day RBA-Tourism Malaysia Familiarisation trip to experience a taste of the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival and to promote the products and services offered by Golden Touch Holidays by RBA. Those who went included local travel agents, a representative from the Royal Brunei Airlines and the local press.

In the recent March 2004 Mega Sale Carnival launched in Penang, 5,406 retailers took part. The number of participating retailers during the Mega Sale Carnival this time is expected to surpass that total.

Malaysia is positioning itself to be a global emporium by taking advantage of the prevailing favourable exchange rate for visitors from Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Middle East to get more value out of their money.

The Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival has been a significant contributor to the country's economy as the tourist in-flow in 2002 and 2003 indicated a marked increase of tourists' arrivals during the Mega Sale months, which were during March, August and December.

This bears testimony that holding the Mega Sale Carnival is successful in drawing more tourists into Malaysia, boosting the country's already lucrative tourism industry.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin