HOW TO SELL KUALA LUMPUR
KUALA LUMPUR Emerging
BY LIZ BOOTH Dip your toes into 'KL' and fall in
love with this diverse and bustling city. Wander the streets around the famous Bintang Walk and you will see multi- culturalism at its best as folk from across the globe happily mingle to choose their supper, sit down for a foot massage or head into the malls for some late-night shopping. Nothing seems too much trouble –
need a police escort to get you through the rush hour jams? No problem, just give Ching Ching a call at Golf Malaysia and the escort will soon be ready and waiting! Remember this is the city where copyright means 'right to copy'. Shop in the glitzy malls at the Gucci store and round the corner you’ll find the 'genuine' fake at a fraction of the price of the original. KL may be overshadowed by some of
its better-known neighbours – Singapore to the south and Bangkok to the north – but it is finally coming into its own as visitors discover a genuinely friendly place with lots to do and see. The Petronas Towers were once the
tallest in the world, but are no longer, having ceded this title to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. No matter, they are still well worth a tour for their spectacular views across the city. The juxtaposition of new and old is
everywhere as gleaming skyscrapers sit alongside the old colonial buildings of this modern, bustling Asian success story. The streets in Petaling are awash with traders – haggling is mandatory and bargains guaranteed. KL is also home to beautiful parks,
while the Aquaria, a state-of-the-art oceanarium with over 5000 different
General Information
TIME ZONE: GMT +8hours CUSTOMS & PASSPORT: UK passport holders do not need a visa for visits of less than three months CLIMATE: Tropical, cooler in mountains GETTING THERE: Malaysia Airlines offers the only non-stop ex-UK service; Emirates has a Dubai stopover on its new A380 service CONTACT: Tourism Malaysia: Tel: 020 7930 7932
www.tourism.gov.my
exhibits of aquatic and land-bound creatures, should be on every 'to do' list. The key to KL is its value for money,
its diversity and its position as a gateway to the rest of the country and region.
What’s New KL’s five-star hotels are constantly improving their offer. Take the Mandarin Oriental, with the highest occupancy in the city, which has upgraded its dining options and will renovate its lobby later in 2012, followed by renovation of its rooms and two ballrooms through 2013. The Malay independently-owned
Royale Chulan is soon to be joined by sister hotel Royal Bintang Damansara in KL, while all the rooms have been upgraded at another group property, the four-star Royal Bintang Kuala Lumpur. Two-night stays work well at city five-
star hotels starting at £150 per room per night this month (May). Airlift to KL out of the UK has
decreased after the axeing of direct Air Asia flights from London, leaving Malaysia Airlines as the only direct option. Alternatives include Emirates.
From the Front Line BETH ALCORN
Product and Marketing Manager, Emirates Tours “We’ve seen consistent
growth in our KL sales over the past three years or so. The city is proving particularly popular with honey- mooners, who holiday there before heading off to one of the country’s many luxury beach resorts. “Popular combinations include KL and
the five-star Tanjong Jara Resort on the east coast.”
MELISSA TILLING Product Director, Funway Holidays “KL is a really good
value-for-money destination. Visitors can 'shop ‘til they drop' at swanky shopping malls at KLCC and The Pavilions or haggle at the night market at Petaling Street in China Town. "A multicultural base means food for
every palette – try a local Malay breakfast from just 70 pence a head or try out Asian Heritage Row. Get around on the elevated monorail with fares as low as 25 pence for one stop.”
Where To Book It EMIRATES TOURS – 020 7590 1450
www.emiratestours.co.uk A nine-night twin-centre package at Pangkor Laut Resort and The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur is priced from £1,775pp, saving up to £800 per couple. The deal includes return economy class flights with Emirates from London Gatwick and return resort transfers. Supplements apply for alternative departure airports. A weekend supplement of £45pp applies for UK departures on a Friday or Saturday. The deal is valid for travel until July 15 and between August 11 and November 30 2012. Book by May 31 2012.
AUDLEY TRAVEL – 01993 838000
www.audleytravel.com Audley can put together four-night deals starting at £200 a night staying at the five-star Mandarin Oriental, with flights around £840pp. Options include pre-booking Petronas Towers and private heritage walking tours.
Clockwise: View from the Mandarin Oriental; The Petronas Towers; Great food is on offer throughout the country
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2012 57
Selling Tip
KL is a more laid-back and 'stress free'
introduction to Asia's big cities than other regional capitals
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