The Star - Wednesday December 16, 2009
CHARM OF A BYGONE ERA
MALACCA: It was a glitzy 1970s affair during the recent Malacca Tourism Award Ceremony as guests turned up in fashion inspired by that era.
Leading the way were Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob who looked dashing in a black coat accented with a red tie while his consort Toh Puan Zurina Kassim looked ravishing in a red baju kurung.
Live music of popular Malay and English numbers from that decade provided the perfect setting for an evening that saw a gathering of more than 650 industry players.
Renaissance Hotel Malacca stole the show when it was voted Best Five-Star Hotel for the third consecutive year.
Its general manager Thomas Salg said the award was a recognition of the hotel’s high service standards made possible by its efficient staff.
“We are indeed honoured to receive the award for our efforts in promoting better accommodation for customers,” he said, adding that the hotel would strive to maintain its achievements while promoting the state.
The award is divided into 26 categories covering hotels, chalets, homestay accommodation, restaurants, travel agencies and tourism products.
The other winners were Holiday Inn (Best Four-Star Hotel), Hotel Seri Malaysia (Best Three-Star Hotel), Fenix Inn (Best Budget Hotel), Everly Resort Hotel (Excellent Service Resort) and Homestay Parit Penghulu (Best Homestay).
The Best Agro Tourism prize was awarded to Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm while the rest of the recipients were Mahkota Medical Centre (Best Medical Tourism), Melaka River Cruise (Best Tourism Product), Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum (Best Tourism Museum) and Ocean Palms Condominium (Malacca My Second Home).
In his speech, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the awards were given to recognise those who had helped Malacca’s tourism industry locally and internationally.
“I hope the tourism players will maintain and improve the service quality besides providing more affordable packages,” he said.
Mohd Ali later received the Malacca Tourism Personality award from Mohd Khalil for his tireless efforts in promoting the historical city.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khalil launched the book Malacca, A World Heritage Site by local author Bonny Wee.
Chef Florance Tan, well known for her authentic Baba-Nyonya dishes, received the Celebrity Chef award while Michael Bong, who runs a restaurant in New York, received the Malacca Master Chef award.
Other awards were given to Restaurant Tomyam Klasik (Best Malay Restaurant), Bei Zhan Restaurant (Best Chinese Restaurant), Saravanna Restaurant (Best Indian Restaurant), Restaurant Peranakan (Best Peranakan Restaurant), Straits Settlement Restaurant (Best Portuguese Restaurant) and Bamboo Hut Bistro (Best of The Best Restaurant).
The annual event is a joint effort of the State Tourism Promotion Division, Tourism Malaysia and Malacca Tourism Action Council.
Reference : star
Live music of popular Malay and English numbers from that decade provided the perfect setting for an evening that saw a gathering of more than 650 industry players.
Renaissance Hotel Malacca stole the show when it was voted Best Five-Star Hotel for the third consecutive year.
Its general manager Thomas Salg said the award was a recognition of the hotel’s high service standards made possible by its efficient staff.
“We are indeed honoured to receive the award for our efforts in promoting better accommodation for customers,” he said, adding that the hotel would strive to maintain its achievements while promoting the state.
The award is divided into 26 categories covering hotels, chalets, homestay accommodation, restaurants, travel agencies and tourism products.
The other winners were Holiday Inn (Best Four-Star Hotel), Hotel Seri Malaysia (Best Three-Star Hotel), Fenix Inn (Best Budget Hotel), Everly Resort Hotel (Excellent Service Resort) and Homestay Parit Penghulu (Best Homestay).
The Best Tour Guide award went to Shaukani Abbas, a seasoned local guide who helped promote the country’s first “Museum Sleep Over” in Malacca.
The Best Agro Tourism prize was awarded to Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm while the rest of the recipients were Mahkota Medical Centre (Best Medical Tourism), Melaka River Cruise (Best Tourism Product), Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum (Best Tourism Museum) and Ocean Palms Condominium (Malacca My Second Home).
In his speech, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the awards were given to recognise those who had helped Malacca’s tourism industry locally and internationally.
“I hope the tourism players will maintain and improve the service quality besides providing more affordable packages,” he said.
Mohd Ali later received the Malacca Tourism Personality award from Mohd Khalil for his tireless efforts in promoting the historical city.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khalil launched the book Malacca, A World Heritage Site by local author Bonny Wee.
Chef Florance Tan, well known for her authentic Baba-Nyonya dishes, received the Celebrity Chef award while Michael Bong, who runs a restaurant in New York, received the Malacca Master Chef award.
Other awards were given to Restaurant Tomyam Klasik (Best Malay Restaurant), Bei Zhan Restaurant (Best Chinese Restaurant), Saravanna Restaurant (Best Indian Restaurant), Restaurant Peranakan (Best Peranakan Restaurant), Straits Settlement Restaurant (Best Portuguese Restaurant) and Bamboo Hut Bistro (Best of The Best Restaurant).
The annual event is a joint effort of the State Tourism Promotion Division, Tourism Malaysia and Malacca Tourism Action Council.
Reference : star
