New travellers, new expectations

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Tourism Malaysia marketing manager Aliastair Manihera with Wendy and Balljid Left, Fieldskills Adventure director Simon Amos with lucky prizewinner Left, Sabah Homestay Assosciation president Jeffry Cobra with lucky prizewinner Travellers today have a whole new set of demands and expectations that the tourism industry needs to be aware of and keep up with, according to Tourism Malaysia. Speaking at the Tourism Malaysia Adventure Backpacker cocktail seminar this week marketing manager Alastair Manihera explained that travellers are now looking for the “next avenue, that next aspect to capture their imagination”. Talking to a room of travel agents Mr Manihera introduced the travel industry to various offerings Malaysia has on hand that cater to the new traveller and suggested agents look to modern and adventurous companies including Fieldskills Adventure and Sabah Homestay Association when booking trips for their clients. “We have brought these two companies as they offer experiences that take you out of your comfort zones and allow you to experience something you can take with you for the rest of your life,” Mr Manihera said. Fieldskills Adventure offers thrill seeker travellers, families, school groups and team building groups an opportunity for adventure travel in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Fieldskills Adventure director Simon Amos and his team specialise in mountain biking, jungle trekking, camping, kayaking, white water rafting, to name a few, the adventure company also offers low impact activities and caters for both large and small tour groups. “It’s a great experience for everyone, we take a lot of families we even had a three year old, we set up a tent for the child as most people stay in hammocks,” Mr Amos said. “It’s a popular place for team building activities and school groups.” Mr Amos added Sabah is a fantastic rock climbing destination everything from simple children’s climbs to the more adventurous 150 meters high climbs, which he added, has sparked a lot of interest as it has not yet been climbed. “Rock climbing is the new thing to do in Sabah,” he explained.  While, Sabah Homestay Association president Mr Jeffry Cobra, offers travellers a unique chance to stay among local families and be a part of their culture and daily routine in clean, modest accommodations. “From Mt Kinabalu to the depths of its oceans, travellers get to experience many of the different lifestyles and culture of the local communities,” Mr Cobra said. Mr Cobra explained how each one of the many different ethnic groups offers its own specialty including wildlife, jungles, historical sites, native festivals and cultural traditions to name a few. Tourism Malaysia, Director Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar added no trip to Malaysia is complete without experiencing six unique activities to the country; tasting rice wine while visiting a longhouse, joining a head hunter trail, a trip to the Pinnacles and bat watching in the Mulu National park, visiting the orang-utans and enjoying live music at the annual Rainforest World Music Festival all made the list. The cocktail party was on the back of Tourism Malaysia’s successful Adventure Travel and Backpacker Expo.

Source = e-Travel Blackboard: S.P