ID :
202058
Thu, 08/18/2011 - 08:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/202058
The shortlink copeid
MAS-AIRASIA DEAL WORRIES SARAWAK TOUR INDUSTRY
MIRI (Sarawak, Malaysia), Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The recent collaboration agreement between Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia has created uncertainty among tourism players in East Malaysia state of Sarawak.
Following this, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) plans to discuss issues regarding its effects with the two airlines soon.
Speaking to reporters during the breaking of fast with tour agents and media representatives here on Wednesday night, STB Chief Executive Officer Rashid Khan said tourism players in Sarawak were concerned as the airlines had also announced that they would rationalise their operations.
The rationalisation plan would raise the issues of flight frequency, air fare and the roles to be played by the airlines and their subsidiaries, he said.
"All these are issues that put us to be uncertain. We want to engage them (MAS and AirAsia) and we have already indicated that," he said.
He described the MAS-AirAsia deal as "a worrying issue" as compared to the move by Malaysian Airports to increase the airport tax.
"Airport tax in Malaysia is relatively low and represents a small portion of the cost of fares," he said.
MAS and AirAsia had on Aug 9 entered into the collaboration agreement to establish a framework to explore the possibilities of mutual co-operation.
To strengthen the collaboration and to further align their respective interests in AirAsia and MAS, Tune Air and government investment arm Khazanah Nasional -- the major shareholders of AirAsia and MAS respectively -- have agreed to acquire from each other's existing shares of both companies.
As a result, Tune Air will hold 20.5 percent equity interest in MAS and Khazanah 10.0 percent in AirAsia.
Meanwhile on STB's latest initiatives, Rashid said plans were in place to bring in more tourists from the Middle-East to visit Sarawak this year.
He said the first half of 2011 saw a promising 47 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from Arab countries.
Efforts would also be intensified to bring in more Australian and New Zealand tourists.
"We also want the tourism players in the state to be prepared to bring in more tourists from China," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Following this, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) plans to discuss issues regarding its effects with the two airlines soon.
Speaking to reporters during the breaking of fast with tour agents and media representatives here on Wednesday night, STB Chief Executive Officer Rashid Khan said tourism players in Sarawak were concerned as the airlines had also announced that they would rationalise their operations.
The rationalisation plan would raise the issues of flight frequency, air fare and the roles to be played by the airlines and their subsidiaries, he said.
"All these are issues that put us to be uncertain. We want to engage them (MAS and AirAsia) and we have already indicated that," he said.
He described the MAS-AirAsia deal as "a worrying issue" as compared to the move by Malaysian Airports to increase the airport tax.
"Airport tax in Malaysia is relatively low and represents a small portion of the cost of fares," he said.
MAS and AirAsia had on Aug 9 entered into the collaboration agreement to establish a framework to explore the possibilities of mutual co-operation.
To strengthen the collaboration and to further align their respective interests in AirAsia and MAS, Tune Air and government investment arm Khazanah Nasional -- the major shareholders of AirAsia and MAS respectively -- have agreed to acquire from each other's existing shares of both companies.
As a result, Tune Air will hold 20.5 percent equity interest in MAS and Khazanah 10.0 percent in AirAsia.
Meanwhile on STB's latest initiatives, Rashid said plans were in place to bring in more tourists from the Middle-East to visit Sarawak this year.
He said the first half of 2011 saw a promising 47 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from Arab countries.
Efforts would also be intensified to bring in more Australian and New Zealand tourists.
"We also want the tourism players in the state to be prepared to bring in more tourists from China," he added.
-- BERNAMA
