THE WORLD’S ELITE GOLFERS TO TAKE PART IN CIMB CLASSICS GOLF TOURNAMENT IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 24-28 OCTOBER 2012

The CIMB Classics golf tournament will be held at the Mines Resort & Golf in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 24 to 28 October 2012, attracting 48 of the world’s elite golfers including defending champion of last year, Bo Van Pelt and 2010 champion, Ben Crane. With numerous courses constructed by world-renowned designers and fair weather conditions year round, it is no wonder that Malaysia is fast becoming South-East Asia’s golfing paradise.

The CIMB Classic began two years ago and featured PGA Tour players and Asian Tour players; it will become a fully-fledged PGA Tour event starting in 2013. According to the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, "since childhood it has been my dream that the PGA championship will be held in Malaysia." The CIMB Group Chief Executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak stated: "we have signed an agreement for 5 years from 2012 to 2016.”

The competition format will be in accordance with the PGA Tour regulation of 72 holes. 30 of the players will come from the PGA Tour, 10 from the Asian tour and 8 from a sponsor invitation including 2 Malaysian professional players who will all compete to claim the total prize money of USD6.1 million with the champion receiving USD1.3 million. The total prize money will rise in 2013 to a massive USD7 million with 78 golfers competing.

There are now over 200 golf courses in Malaysia, 50 of which are of international standard, and with such diverse and scenic terrain; Malaysia offers a memorable golfing vacation for all. Golfers can tee off in the rolling landscapes next to the jungle, overlooking the South China Sea, or nestled amongst the sky scrapers in 1 of the 26 courses that are less than a 45 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur.  Penang boasts a further 5 luscious golf resorts and the islands of Langkawi have 2 courses renowned for their panoramic views. 

As well as the CIMB Classics, such high standard courses has resulted in events such as the Malaysian Open to be hosted and sanctioned by the Asia PGA Tour as well as the European PGA tour,  The Volvo Masters of Asia and the first ever IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention held in April 2012.

Not only does Malaysia have a plethora of diverse courses and resorts, it is also affordable. One item of golfing equipment with a maximum weight of 15kg will be carried free with Malaysia Airlines and green fees range from £6 to £85, offering something for everyone, compared to an average green fee of £34 in the UK. Malaysia’s golfing resorts have also been developed with a keen eye for world-class amenities and great surrounding holiday attractions for a well-rounded vacation. 

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:
Representation Plus
Flo Powell
Email: flo@representationplus.co.uk
Tel: 020 8877 4509 | Mob: 077 6624 2138
Visit: www.tourism.gov.my
Support for Press Trips is available for selected publications, please e-mail flo@representationplus.co.uk

Travel Packages
Destination Golf: offer 4 nights B&B at the 5-star Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Hotel, 1 round of golf at The Mines and 1 round at Glenmarie, private airport and golf transfers. £795 per person based on twin/double share without flights or, based on Economy flights with Malaysia Airlines from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur the package price is £1,745 per person. To book Tel. 01737 771613 or Email: info@destinationgolf.co.uk. www.malaysiagolfholidays.co.uk.

TWITCH & WIN WITH MALAYSIA AT RUTLAND BIRDFAIR, 17-19 AUGUST

Tourism Malaysia will be running a competition on their stand (26-27, Marquee 5) whereby if visitors can name a selection of birds from the pictures presented to them then they will be entered into a prize draw. Spectacular prizes include a six day/five nights ‘Best of Peninsular Malaysia Nature Tour Package’ for two people, as well as a three day/two nights ‘Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari Tour Package’ for two.

Tourism Malaysia will be giving visitors a further insight into bird watching opportunities in Malaysia with three informative lectures taking place over the weekend.  The first on Friday 17 August from 12.30pm to 12.50pm will discuss ‘The Pittas of Danum Valley Sabah’ in Lecture Marquee 1. The second lecture takes place on the following day from 10.20am-10.40am in Lecture Marquee 2, given by Mr. Yeo Siew Teck of Cat City Holidays presenting the ‘Special Species of Birds in Sarawak’. The final of the three lectures is on Sunday 19 August in the Anglian Water Bird Watching Centre from 1.00pm-1.20pm, with Mr. Quentin Philips presenting the ‘Hornbill of Malaysia’.

Malaysia has an incredible diversity of birds for visitors to spot owing to its ranking among the world’s 12 mega biodiverse countries. Over 185 migrant birds visit Malaysia each year and there are about 570 bird species residing permanently in the misty forests and swampy mangroves, 52 of which are endemic to Borneo such as the Bornean Wren Babbler and 4 endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. There are also opportunities to spot rare and globally threatened birds, such as the Lesser Adjutant Stork and Nordmann’s Greenshank in Penang, the Blue Banded Kingfisher and Masked Finfoot in Taman Negara.

The following experts will be present at the Tourism Malaysia stand to discuss their tours and the many exciting bird watching adventures possible in Malaysia:

Mr. Adrian Chin – Borneo Eco Tour, Senior Bird Guide (Sabah)

Mr. Baton Bijamin – Borneo Eco Tours, General Manager (Sabah)

Mr. Lawrence Chin, General Manager, Tabin Widlife Resort (Sabah)

Mr. Mano Tharmalingam, Director, Kingfisher Tours (Peninsular Malaysia)

Mr. Yeo Siew Teck, Tour Director, Cat City Holidays (Sarawak)

The Birdfair is undoubtedly the event of the year for those interested in birds and wildlife, with the event encompassing the whole spectrum of the bird watching industry whilst also supporting global bird conservation. As Global Sponsor of the BirdLife International Flyways Programme, Birdfair 2012 is raising funds to support conservation action in the East Asian/Australasian Flyway with Tourism Malaysia exhibiting throughout the event, showcasing the nation’s many bird watching activities.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:
Representation Plus
Flo Powell
Email: flo@representationplus.co.uk
Tel: 020 8877 4509
Mob: 077 6624 2138
Visit: www.tourism.gov.my

Travel Packages
Travelbag (0871 703 4040 www.travelbag.co.uk) is offering a 10 day Borneo Experience Escorted Tour from £2,059 per person including flights with Vietnam Airlines from London to Kuala Lumpur and internal flights with Air Asia. Book by 30 September for travel between 1 November and 8 December 2012.

Hayes & Jarvis (0844 415 1918 / www.hayesandjarvis.com) is offering a twin destination trip to Kuala Lumpur and Taman Negara. Take in Kuala Lumpur's iconic skyline before taking a Jungle Safari at Taman Negara - on a one-week twin-centre holiday with prices from £1,299 per person (based on two sharing) - saving 17 per cent (£261pp), the trip combines four nights' room-only at the four-star Istana Hotel in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle district with three nights at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort. Departing on 1 February 2013, the package includes return Malaysia Airlines flights from London Heathrow, seven nights accommodation and guided jungle treks where visitors can observe the many different species of birds.

LEGOLAND MALAYSIA TO OPEN 15 SEPTEMBER 2012

Park begins countdown to 15 September official opening date 

First-of-its-kind theme park in Asia begins sale of discounted day tickets 

Over 35,000 annual passes sold to date 

To the delight of families everywhere, LEGOLAND® Malaysia has revealed its official opening date: Saturday, September 15, 2012. This news will bring Merlin Entertainments Group one step closer to opening its first LEGOLAND park in Asia. Inspired by Asia’s growing love affair with all things LEGO®, the new 76-acre theme park will cater to kids from 2 to 12 with more than 40 rides and attractions – from roller coasters to race cars as well as family-focused interactive shows. 

LEGOLAND® Malaysia is based in Kota Iskandar, Johor, in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, approximately 350km from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. UK visitors can fly to the closest airport Johor Bahru via Kuala Lumpur. For more information on how to get to LEGOLAND® Malaysia please visit www.legoland.com.my. Johor is linked to Singapore via the Causeway and is known as the ‘Southern Gateway to Malaysia’.  Apart from LEGOLAND®  Malaysia, Johor also offers visitors the chance to experience ancient rainforests, pristine islands, world-renowned golf courses and shopping malls and the capital, Johor Bahru, is famous for its historical buildings and impressive architecture. For more information on visiting Malaysia please go to www.tourism.gov.my. 

Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND Malaysia, stated: “Our official opening date has been something we’ve had a lot of enquiries from the public on since the park broke ground in December 2009. I’m pleased to announce that due to the hard work of all of our contractors we will now be opening LEGOLAND Malaysia ahead of schedule by a number of months. We hope that with today’s news families and tour operators will begin planning their trips to visit us and we look forward to giving you an experience like no other in Asia. Rather appropriately we will be opening the day before Malaysia Day which happens to be a long weekend!” 

Mr Boerst also announced that the official park single-day tickets are now on sale. These tickets will be priced at a special introductory offer of RM96 (£20) for adults (regular price RM140- £29) and RM70 (£15) for kids/senior citizens (regular price RM110 - £23). The 30% discount will be for a limited period only, so avid LEGOLAND fans are advised to keep a close eye on the LEGOLAND Malaysia website www.LEGOLAND.com.my for announcements. 

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Representation Plus, Flo Powell

Email: flo@representationplus.co.uk

Tel: 020 8877 4509 | Mob: 077 6624 2138

Visit: www.tourism.gov.my

Notes to Editors:

About LEGOLAND Malaysia 

LEGOLAND Malaysia is the sixth LEGOLAND to be built in the world and the very first in Asia. Targeted at families with children between the ages of two to twelve years, LEGOLAND Parks are based on the universally popular LEGO construction toy range. They offer families the opportunity to bond, learn and push the boundaries of their imaginations through LEGO experiences. At LEGOLAND, families can practice their imagination and creativity, have fun while learning, and understand the importance of caring and quality. Families will be immersed in a unique mix of kid-powered rides, building challenges, spectacular LEGO models, interactive attractions, family-friendly coasters and shows that pull the audience into the action. LEGOLAND Malaysia will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions when it opens. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ®2011 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND MALAYSIA IS A PART OF THE MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP 

Other LEGOLAND theme parks across the world are situated in Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany and USA with Florida and California locations. 

LEGOLAND Malaysia will be located in Iskandar Malaysia and is made possible through IDR Resorts and Merlin Entertainment, the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator.  Visit www.LEGOLAND.com.my for more information. 

About Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) 

Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) is a strategic developer of catalytic projects, working closely with the authorities, other developers and investment partners in the region to achieve Iskandar Malaysia’s vision of becoming a sustainable metropolis of international standing. It is the commercial arm of the Government that has been formed to spearhead the development and transformation of Iskandar Malaysia by conceptualising and developing catalytic projects that generate significant multiplier effects. These projects act as accelerators in the development of a new connected urban ecosystem designed for the 21st century. 

IIB aspires to create a world-class connected liveable community in the heart of Southeast Asia that will lead the change for future generations to come. 

IIB oversees the development of approximately 36 sq km (8,889.21 acres), or approximately two per cent, of land in Iskandar Malaysia. These landbanks are strategically located in close proximity to Singapore as well as Johor’s logistics hubs, namely the Senai Airport and the international ports of Tanjung Langsat, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas, to ensure accessibility to and from all parts of the world. 

Aligned with Malaysia’s aim to become a high-income nation, IIB drives investments across clusters in high-value service sectors to support the development of Iskandar Malaysia focusing on education, leisure and tourism, healthcare and wellness, and the creative industry. 

For more information on IIB, please visit www.iskandarinvestment.com.