Solar Energy to light up a City

Recently a friend was with me discussing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of plcs and we touched on the energy saving topic. He immediately showed me a video which he recorded at nite of a icon building in DeZhou, China. It was lited with Led lightings and more than 85% of the building is energised by solar power.

Most part of the city is lited by solar energy and claimed to be undertaking by this company, Humin Group. Being ignorant, I went to the internet and found out that DeZhou is one of the model city in the world as the future ecocity and the world solar congress was held in this place a coupled of months ago.

I really thought u can only see this in anime but never expect a place in China would have it done. Bravo to Humin Group! There is a video which u can see to believe.
Follow this link http://www.himin.com/english/

Malaysia really has a lot to catch up and I urged more plcs look into CSR programs truely!

I will dropby in my next visit to see this city.

Entry Fees for the US will be Collected from Tourists in September

Article reproduced from http://www.eturbonews.com/17737/entry-fees-us-will-be-collected-tourists-september

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that it will begin collecting fees on travellers from Visa Waiver countries beginning Sept. 8, 2010. Travellers will be charged a $14 fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). A portion of the fee will go toward funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created by the 2009 Travel Promotion Act. “This is an important milestone in the implementation of the Travel Promotion Act,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Creating a tourism promotion program to encourage international visitors to vacation in America will help spur economic growth and create more jobs.”

Travel and tourism is the top services export for the United States, totaling $120 billion and supporting more than one million American jobs. Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,000 per person per trip in the United States.

Oxford Economics estimates the travel promotion program under the Travel Promotion Act will generate $4 billion in new visitor spending and 40,000 new jobs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the program will reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million in the next 10 years.

President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) into law earlier this year, putting into place a new public - private partnership between the U.S. government and the nation’s travel and tourism industry. Under the TPA, Commerce Secretary Locke will appoint the board of directors for the Corporation for Travel Promotion. Commerce will work closely with the board to ensure the Corporation achieves its goals.

More Indians Staying in Malaysian Serviced Apartments

Article reproduced from http://ttgtravelhub.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=14537

AGENTS are seeing rising demand for serviced apartments from Indian leisure and business travellers.

Tina Travel & Agencies managing director Adam Kamal said the average size of Indian family groups three years ago was two people hence demand for serviced apartments then was almost nil.

"Now, more Indians are travelling with extended families due to improved connectivity and cheap fares so the average group size has increased to four. Serviced apartments with two bedrooms are more cost-effective compared to booking two rooms in a five-star hotel," he said.

Arokia Das Anthony, managing director of Red Apple Travel & Tours, has likewise seen more Indian business travellers requesting for serviced apartments. "They want the cooking facilities as they are extremely fussy over their meals. (Other facilities) are not important."

Labuan IBFC: Transforming Trust Business Through Legislative Amendments

Dorsett International is proud to own the one and only 5-star hotel in Labuan.

For those who are interested in understanding more about the legislation in the duty-free island, I would like to share the following article by Cheang & Ariff and Equity Trust.


Labuan IBFC: Transforming Trust Business Through Legislative Amendments

Following the introduction of new regulatory framework governing offshore businesses and activities in Labuan, the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) is expected to draw in more investors, particularly Malaysians, following the introduction of new regulatory framework governing trust businesses on this duty-free island.

Labuan IBFC has been actively implementing changes to its legislative framework to ensure it remains as a global player within the fraternity. This is despite the global economic slowdown, which had forced the Malaysian Government to implement changes to its economic policies. Labuan IBFC was recently further buoyed by its recent "white listing" by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a jurisdiction deemed to have substantially implemented OECD standards for transparency and exchange of information between countries and has undergone a substantial restructuring to further enhance its competitive edge within the international financial services sector.

These new enactments have made positive changes in the way Labuan IBFC operates whilst enhancing its product and services offering. Among the recent changes was the amendments to the Labuan Trust Act 1996 (LTA).

Amendments to the LTA are expected to give Labuan IBFC an edge as a modern offshore centre for wealth planning. This is fortuitous as industry experts forecast that Asia's share of the rich community is poised to grow annually by 12 to 15 per cent until 2013, making the region the largest source of high net worth investors, after the U.S.A. (courtesy of Labuan IBFC Inc. Sdn Bhd).

To a large extent the Labuan Special Trust is modelled after the British Virgin Islands 'VISTA' Trust.

A central provision of the Labuan Special Trust is that it can be used to hold shares in a Labuan Holding Company, which in turn may own assets such as cash, real estate, art, securities, businesses, insurance policies etc.

These shares, which are 'on trust to retain', may be held indefinitely. Interestingly, contrary to conventional approach, as the management of the company is the responsibility of the directors only, there is a distinct separation between the custodian role of trustees and their fiduciary role of investment that is handled by the company directors.

This provision meets the contemporary needs of High Net Worth Individuals or families who recognise that members of the next, younger and better educated generation may wish to attempt more sophisticated investment options; yet by separating the roles indicated above, the founders of wealth (the older generation) can still keep the original legacy intact. This feature is one of the most sought after in Trust Law.

Other advantages of a Labuan Special Trust include the provision for unenforceable claims; a two-year claw-back period and requirements for legal procedures should a creditor attempt to prove a trust is fraudulent; existence of the trust in perpetuity; and the option not to register the trust to protect his privacy.

For expatriates or retiree who may be mulling the benefits of re-locating, consider combining the trust structure with the government’s program called “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H). Under the MM2H scheme, a foreigner can own a property in the country and reside anywhere in Malaysia with his family, enjoying the country and its facilities like a resident. The combination of a trust with its tax efficiency, living the good life in a low-cost, tropical location with many fine beaches and modern amenities makes Labuan a proposition that's hard to refuse.

Labuan IBFC, relatively unknown compared to the Caymans or British Virgin Islands, is however, regarded by those who do know it as a safe, and attractive jurisdiction robustly regulated by the newly re-named Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA, previously Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority or LOFSA).

The jurisdiction is already home to more than 7,400 companies; 60 banks; 150 insurance entities; 23 Trust companies and scores of service providers including lawyers, accountants, tax consultants, audit and secretarial staff.

Labuan's strategic location in the heart of South East Asia, off the north west coast of Sabah, Malaysia, has many benefits especially with the current 'flight to quality' plus the continuing economic boom in China and India encourage investments to flow eastwards.

Dialogue with Tourism Minister

Some Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO) members and I attended a dialogue held by the Minister of Tourism, Dato' Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.

There was an overwhelming number of parties that attended, so we couldn't voice out specific issues the hotel industry is facing.

We were, however, surprised by the disclosure of the new target set by the ministry.

By 2020, the ministry of tourism aims to achieve 36 million tourists and 168 billion ringgit in tourism revenue.

We were asked to share ideas on how to achieve this.

Well, what I understand here is that there are more hotel rooms available now, but the ministry needs to address how exactly to attract that 36-million tourists to Malaysia. We are already facing a surplus in accommodation now.

Where are the activities to promote Malaysia?

Currently, it's just a number game with no concrete plans.

The Whole Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners

Last Thursday was the first time we had all the council members together! Here is a picture of the representatives of various property and hospitality arms.

I was recently elected as the Vice President of MAHO last month. MAHO is the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners, established in 1998. At MAHO, a group of hotel owners come together to represent the interests of members in safeguarding their return on investments through a conducive business environment and to promote and support the healthy development of the hotel industry.

Jangan Guna Hanya Jenama Murah

Reproduced from http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0705&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_03.htm

"Jangan guna hanya jenama 'bajet' dan murah untuk tarik pelancong ke Malaysia,'' kata Presiden Persatuan Pemilik Hotel Malaysia (Maho), Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman.

Maho juga memohon supaya semua pihak di Malaysia keluar dari kepompong jenama murah dalam usaha menarik kedatangan pelancong asing ke negara ini kerana tindakan itu menjejaskan imej negara.

Abdul Aziz berkata, Maho menggesa kerajaan supaya mempelbagaikan aktiviti pelancongan dan menggunakan jenama eksklusif yang berkualiti tinggi dan berpatutan untuk pelancong asing dari kelas atasan.

Menurut beliau, kaedah ini merupakan salah satu cara untuk menarik perhatian lebih ramai pelancong dalam kalangan berada dan kelas atasan untuk kembali melancong ke negara ini.

"Kita di Malaysia masih mengalami kekurangan pelancong kelas atasan ke negara ini bagi menyokong industri pelancongan negara.

"Ramai selebriti kenamaan, pemimpin negara dan tokoh perniagaan asing datang ke negara ini hanya sekali dua sahaja dan mereka tidak kembali ke negara ini dan ia amat merugikan kerana Malaysia mempunyai banyak kemudahan dan infrastruktur yang bertaraf dunia,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini baru-baru ini.

Abdul Aziz menambah, industri perhotelan negara memerlukan kedatangan pelancong asing yang berkualiti dan berkemampuan dari segi kewangan sebaliknya, bukan kuantiti semata-mata.

Jelasnya, pelancong yang berkualiti tidak kisah untuk berbelanja dan mereka berkemampuan untuk menginap di hotel-hotel bertaraf lima bintang.

"Kami dapati pelancong yang berkualiti ini menginap dalam tempoh yang panjang di negara ini, kadang kala sehingga dua hingga tiga minggu dengan kadar sewa bilik RM1,000 ke atas semalam. Ia membawa hasil yang tinggi untuk industri perhotelan,'' katanya.

Maho turut memohon kerajaan supaya tidak memotong perbelanjaan dalam pembangunan industri pelancongan kerana ia amat diperlukan bagi menarik kedatangan ramai pelancong yang berkualiti.

Selain itu, kata Abdul Aziz, selain promosi pelancongan yang baik di luar negara, kerajaan perlu bijak menarik pelancong yang sedang berada dalam transit atau melancong ke negara-negara jiran supaya mengambil kesempatan berkunjung ke Malaysia.

Katanya, Malaysia boleh menarik perhatian pelancong asing di mana-mana lapangan terbang di Thailand dan Singapura untuk datang melawat ke Malaysia yang jaraknya tidak jauh dari kedua-dua lokasi tersebut.

"Perjalanan ke Malaysia dari Thailand dan Singapura hanya mengambil masa beberapa jam sahaja dari jalan udara dan ia merupakan salah satu usaha yang amat berkesan untuk menarik kedatangan pelancong,'' ujarnya.

Insentif Ubah Suai Hotel

Reproduced from http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Insentifubahsuaihotel/Article/index_html

PERSATUAN Pemilik Hotel Malaysia (Maho) mengharapkan kerajaan agar meneruskan kempen penjenamaan Malaysia dan memberikan insentif seperti pelepasan cukai kepada pengusaha hotel yang melakukan ubah suai dalam usaha menarik lebih ramai pelancong menginap lebih lama di Malaysia.

Presidennya, Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, berkata hampir 70 peratus daripada 160 hotel yang menjadi ahli Maho berusia lebih lima tahun dan memerlukan proses ubah suai dan baik pulih.

“Jumlah yang diperlukan untuk proses ubah suai dan baik pulih menelan belanja besar iaitu antara RM40 juta hingga RM100 juta atau RM150,000 untuk satu bilik.

“Maka, dengan jumlah perbelanjaan sebesar itu, kami perlukan sokongan kerajaan untuk memberi insentif seperti pemotongan cukai kerana pada akhirnya ia akan memberi keuntungan kepada kerajaan dan semua rakyat Malaysia,” katanya ketika ditemui, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Menurutnya, proses ubah suai dan baik pulih tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana ia melambangkan imej Malaysia secara keseluruhan.

“Sebelum ini, kerajaan mempertikaikan mengapa pemilik hotel enggan menaikkan kadar harga namun kami menganggap bahawa masanya belum tiba dan banyak perkara perlu dilakukan sebelum kadar penginapan di hotel dinaikkan,” katanya.

Abdul Aziz berkata, pihaknya mengakui bahawa kadar penginapan hotel di Malaysia adalah yang paling murah di Asia Tenggara.

“Jika dibandingkan dengan Singapura, kadar harga untuk hotel lima bintang di negara berkenaan adalah RM766 berbeza dengan di Malaysia hanya RM320.

“Malah, beberapa negara terdekat seperti Vietnam, Myanmar dan Indonesia tanpa disedari semakin mengejar Malaysia dalam industri pelancongan,” katanya.

Menurutnya, kerajaan juga perlu memainkan peranan dalam mengawal kemunculan dan pembinaan hotel baru sebaliknya memberi peluang hotel sedia ada menambah jumlah pelanggan kerana kadar penginapan hotel di Malaysia hanya 62 peratus sepanjang tahun berbanding di negara lain iaitu 80 peratus.

Malaysia Outlines Plan to Lure In Yield

*** Reproduced from http://www.ttgtravelhub.net/.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-06-23)

MALAYSIA should enhance its product development and promotions to grab a greater share of the high-yield market.

These were among the recommendations presented to industry leaders yesterday by consulting firm, Jelas Dinamik, which had been commissioned by the Tourism Ministry to conduct a study on developing niche segments for high-yield longhaul markets, namely the UK, Germany, France, Russia and Sweden.

The study examined 13 categories -- MICE, taxi service, car rental, promotional activities, luxury trains, food festivals, luxury cruises, hotels, airlines, golf tourism, ecotourism, spa/wellness and medical tourism.

The firm advised the Malaysian trade to create more boutique hotels, engage specialised marketing companies to push golf tourism and encourage environmentally-friendly certification of golf courses, allow foreign spa operators to enter the market, and carry out specific and focused promotional activities targeted at high-spending tourists.

To give ecotourism a further boost, facilities at lesser-known ecotourism locations should be upgraded and a variety of activities should be introduced at eco-lodges.

The Malaysian government is seeking to escape the middle-income trap and capture a greater share of high-yield tourists. The 2020 target is to get 3.5 times more tourist receipts than the 2010 target of RM54 billion (US$16.8 million).