PUTRAJAYA, Feb 28 — Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz praised today tourism industry players for their contributions.

As the 20th Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/2017 edition drew to a conclusion, the tourism and culture minister said he was grateful for the time and expertise the industry players had contributed to the country.

“To our distinguished panel of judges and highly respected industry leaders, I offer you my wholehearted gratitude for your contribution to the Malaysian tourism industry by lending us your time and expertise in the selection process,” he said.

“I know that your job was not an easy one. After a few years as minister, I am well-acquainted with our tourism industry players.

“I can attest that all of them deserve to be recognised for their collective efforts and passion towards the industry,” Nazri added.

Also present at the ceremony was Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wei, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and his wife Datin Seri Fadilah Abdullah, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Tourism and Culture deputy minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and the ministry secretary-general, Datuk Rashidi bin Hasbullah.

Nazri also said the ministry continuously searched for innovations that would aid the industry.  

“The Ministry of Tourism and Culture is constantly seeking new ways to improve all our tourism offerings,” he said.

“I hope that their spirit for innovation and desire to achieve outstanding levels of quality in service and products will continue.

“This is crucial as we are set to achieve the ambitious goals for both arrivals and income to make Visit Malaysia 2020 a resounding success,” added Nazri.

With 665 nominations between September 7 and October 15 last year for the 14 categories presented, 52 awards were given out.

Two new awards were also introduced this year, namely — the “Best Entertainment Spot” and “Best Airline” category.

The “Best Travel Documentary on Malaysia” category was also renamed “Best Travel Documentary and TV Commercial on Malaysia”.

Additionally, four special awards were presented to two individuals and two organisations.

The Prime Minister’s Award (individual) was taken home by Idris. The Prime Minister’s Award (Organisation) was selected by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak while the Minister’s Award (Individual) and Minister’s Award (Organisation) were selected by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

All four awards were presented by Nazri.

Best Tourism Articles:

1. Printed Publication

  • Local Publication “Ini Di KL Lah…” — Suliati Asri
  • International Publication “Multiculti Maleisie” — KLM Flying Dutchman

2. Online:

  • Local “Saving Borneo’s Wildlife : Sabah’s Top Animal Centres” — Ramble And Wander
  • International “The Hidden Maldives Of Malaysia : Mataking Island” — Tripzilla

Best Travel Documentary and Television Commercials on Malaysia:

1. Documentary You, Me Malaysia - Discovery Networks Asia Pacific

2. TV Commercial Tahun Melawat Pahang 2017 - Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS)

Best Local Tour Operators:

1. Inbound Tour Operator HTC Travel Services (M) Sdn Bhd

2. Domestic Tour Operator Perhentian Setia Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd

Best Homestays:

1. Homestay Kg. Teluk Ketapang

2. Homestay Labu Kubong

Best Spas:

1. Hotel/Resort Tanjong Jara Resort Spa Village

2. Individual Premise Banyan Beauty Sdn. Bhd.

Best Shopping Centres:

1. Integrated Shopping Centre Sunway Putra Mall

2. Stand-Alone Shopping Centre Komtar JBCC

Best Hotel Services:

1. 5-Star (City) The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

2. 5-Star (Resort) The St. Regis Langkawi

3. 4-Star (City) The Settlement Hotel

4. 4-Star (Resort) Laguna Redang Island Resort

5. 3-Star (City) Prescott Hotel KL Sentral

6. 3-Star (Resort) Borneo Rainforest Lodge

7. NBOS Fresh Air Resort Tanah Aina Resorts

8. Boutique Hotel Japamala Resort

Best Airlines:

1. International Airline Cathay Dragon

2. Local Airline (International Route) AirAsia

3. Local Airline (Domestic Route) AirAsia

Best Foreign Tour Operators:

South-east Asia Markets:

1. Singapore WTS Travel & Tours Pte Ltd

2. Indonesia Raya Utama Travel

3. Brunei Pan Bright Travel Service

4. Thailand Sunmoon Tour & Travel. Co. Ltd

5. Other Asean Countries Vietnam Travel And Marketing Transports JSC — Vietravel

East Asia & North Asia Markets:

1. China Century Holiday International Travel Service Co. Ltd

2. Other East Asia Countries (Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan) Lion Travel Service Co. Ltd (Taiwan)

3. North Asia (Korea) Hana Tour Service Inc.

4. North Asia (Japan) HIS Co. Ltd

South Asia & West Asia Markets:

1. India Thomas Cook (India) Ltd

2. Other South Asia Countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Nepal) Hemas Travels Pvt Ltd

3. West Asia Mobin Gasht Part Tour & Travel Agency

Americas/Europe/Oceania Markets:

1. Europe TUI Germany

2. Americas (USA, Canada & Latin America) Indus Travels

3. Oceania Luxury Escapes

Most Innovative Tour Packages:

1. Off-The-Beaten Track Orou Sapulot 3D2N (Sticky Rice Travel Sdn Bhd)

2. Special Interest Birdwatching Tour Half Day (Natural History Tours Sdn Bhd)

Best Tourist Attractions:

1. Natural Attraction/Eco-Tourism/Agro-Tourism — Kilim Geopark

2. Man-Made Attraction — Theme Park Escape Penang

3. Man-Made Attraction — Arts & Culture North Borneo Railway

Best Tourist Guides:

1. City Guide K.Muniesvaran A/L Kanniah

2. Nature Guide Wendy Chin Yoon Mun

Best Entertainment Spot: Marini’s On 57

Innovative Restaurants:

1. Malay Restaurant Ikan-Ikan Restaurant (Four Seasons Resort Langkawi)

2. Chinese Restaurant Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant

3. Indian Restaurant Nadodi KL

4. Ethnic Restaurant Lepau Restaurant

5. International Restaurant Feringgi Grill (Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa)

Minister’s Awards:

1. Individual — Asian Overland Services group managing-director Anthony Wong

2. Organisation — The Haven Ipoh

Prime Minister’s Awards:

1. Individual — Datuk Seri Idris Haron

2. Organisation — Sunway Group