ID :
67845
Fri, 06/26/2009 - 13:35
Auther :

MEGA SALE CARNIVAL TO HAVE MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVOUR




KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- This year's Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival
(MMSC) with the theme "Malaysia Your Shopping Oasis" from July 4 to August 31,
will have Middle Eastern flavour.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said Tourism Malaysia would be
introducing various events based on the Middle-East concept.

A showcase of Middle Eastern music and performances, called the Samrah
Festival, would be held at Bukit Bintang every Friday and Saturday from July 10,
she told a press conference here.

She also said awards would be given to shopping malls and retailers who
decorated their premises according to the theme.

"Categories for the Best Window Display Contest include departmental stores,
specialty stores and food and beverages outlets while categories for the MMSC
2009 July Shopping Centres award include Central Bussiness District shopping
centres and Suburban shopping centres," she added.


She said Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, would
launch MMSC 2009 on July 5 at Pavilion KL in Bukit Bintang.

Forty-four foreign journalists and television crews who were invited to
Malaysia under the Mega Familiarisation programme in conjuction with the event
would also be there. They were from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, China, India,
Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

Asked about the low occupancy rate for the homestay programme, Ng said the
ministry was reviewing it with a view to revitalising the programme.

"Homestay is a rural tourism economy and many foreign tourists prefer to
stay at a homestay as they want to experience life in the village," she said.

Unfortunately, the homestay operators had not really understood the concept,
she added.

-- BERNAMA

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