This award gives recognition to local tour operators who have the most outstanding record in marketing and promoting Malaysia. It is open to all tour operators registered with Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia. There are two awards in this category:

Inbound Tour Operator

• Contribution in terms of number of tourists brought into Malaysia
• Sales network and reliability of services offered
• Contribution towards the promotion of Malaysia
• Active involvement in selling and promoting Malaysia tour packages overseas

Domestic Tour Operator

• Contribution in terms of value and number of domestic tour packages sold
• Sales network and reliability of services offered
• Contribution towards the promotion of Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia
• Active involvement in selling and promoting domestic tour packages

This award gives recognition to foreign tour operators who have the most outstanding record in marketing and promoting Malaysia in the following categories:

Southeast Asia Markets

• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Brunei
• Thailand
• Other ASEAN countries

South Asia & West Asia Markets

• India
• Other South Asia countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Nepal)
• West Asia

East Asia & North Asia Markets

• China
• Other East Asia countries (Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan)
• North Asia (Japan & Korea)

Americas, Europe & Oceania Markets

• Europe
• Americas (USA, Canada & Latin America)
• Oceania

Basic Judging Criteria

• Contribution in terms of number of tourists sent / brought into Malaysia
• Sales network and reliability of services offered
• Overall contribution towards promoting Malaysia in respective markets

This award recognizes the best tourism coverage and articles on Malaysia in print and online media by local and foreign writers. Applicable to articles that have been published in the year 2016/2017.

Awards that are being contested under this category are:

Printed Publication

• Local Publication
• International Publication

Online

• Local
• International

Basic Judging Criteria

• Quality articles on Malaysia
• For blogs-one full entry/posting on Malaysia
• Accuracy of information
• Creativity in writing and generating interest for travel to Malaysia
• Local Tourism Publication (Published in Malaysia)
• Overall quality of the publication such as layout, creativity in visual presentations and the ability of the publication to entice readers to travel within and to Malaysia

This award recognizes the best travel documentary productions and television commercials on Malaysia through any electronic and online media. Applicable to productions made in the year 2016/2017. Programme length must be a minimum of 4 minutes.

There are two awards in this category:

• Documentary
• TV Commercial

Basic Judging Criteria

• Quality and accuracy of information
• Overall quality such as total promotion of tourism attractions in Malaysia, creativity in visual presentation and the ability to entice viewers to travel to Malaysia
• Providing a complete and holistic service online

This award recognizes the best tourist attraction in Malaysia, whether man-made or natural, that has enhanced the country's image as a tourist destination. There are three awards in this category:

• Natural Attraction/ Eco-Tourism/ Agro-Tourism
• Man-made Attraction - Theme Park
• Man-made Attraction - Arts & Culture Attraction

Basic Judging Criteria

• Creativity of product development
• Popularity, cleanliness and maintenance of attraction
• Types of facilities available
• Positive feedback from visitors
• Display Malaysian cultural elements
• Value-for-money

This award is for the most innovative tour package offered by inbound tour operators registered in Malaysia. A tour operator may submit more than one tour package under this category. There are two awards under this category:

• Off the Beaten Track
• Special Interest

Basic Judging Criteria

• Product creativity
• Promotion and marketing
• Value-for-money
• Saleable
• Environmental conservation and sustainability
• Well planned itinerary
• Handling of tour programme, inclusive of safety aspects
• Positive feedback from tourists, participants, airlines and other related tourism organisations

This award recognizes hotels rated by the Ministry Of of Tourism And and Culture Malaysia that offer quality and superior services to their guests. All hotels in the respective star-rated categories are eligible for nomination. There are eight awards under this category:

• 5 star (city)
• 5 star (resort)
• 4 star (city)
• 4 star (resort)
• 3 star (city)
• 3 star (resort)
• NBOS Fresh Air resort
• Boutique Hotel
• Basic Judging Criteria
• Encompasses overall efficiency, courtesy and the other qualities related to services in area such as reservation, reception and guest relations, in-room services,food and beverage amenities, recreational facilities and other such services.
• Other factors include value for money and ambiance

All tourist guides registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia may submit their entries with a brief statement to support their entry. Letters of accolades/appreciation (if any) should be attached together with entries. There are two awards under this category:

• City Guide
• Nature Guide

Basic Judging Criteria

• Communication and public relations skill
• Fluency in languages
• Ability to capture the audience’s interest
• Product knowledge
• Other qualities like personality and courteousness will also be considered

This award recognizes shopping and retail outlets that fully support efforts to make Malaysia an international shopping destination. There are two awards under this category:

• Integrated Shopping Centre
• Stand-Alone Shopping Centre

Basic Judging Criteria

• Participation in sale campaigns throughout 2016/2017 along with promotional efforts and seasonal sales in conjunction with local festive events
• Range of merchandise, quality of service, cleanliness, safety and security and facilities offered
• Pricing
• Window display and distribution of promotional collaterals during festive sale campaigns
• Active participation in promotional activities for shopping

This award recognizes the best homestay that has successfully showcased Malaysian culture and lifestyle. It is open to all homestays registered with Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.

Basic Judging Criteria

• Creativity of product development
• Popularity, cleanliness and maintenance of attraction
• Type of facilities available
• Positive feedback from visitors/ guests
• Displays Malaysian cultural elements and identity
• Number of international and domestic tourists
• Management and handling of homestay
• Active involvement in the selling and promotion of homestay packages

This award recognizes local restaurants that contribute positively to Malaysia’s image. There are five awards under this category:

• Malay
• Chinese
• Indian
• Ethnic
• International

Basic Judging Criteria

• Value-for-money
• Quality of food and service
• Interior decor and ambiance
• Menu and food presentation
• Cleanliness and security
• Creativity, entertainment and promotional activities

This award recognizes the best entertainment spot that contributes to the Malaysia tourism industry. This category has been introduced in line with the EPP under the NKEA project.

Basic Judging Criteria

• Interior décor and ambiance
• Cleanliness and comfort
• Value- for- money

This award recognizes the best airline company that has successfully contributed to the Malaysia tourism industry in terms of connectivity and highest passenger traffic to Malaysia. There are three awards in this category:

• Domestic
• International
• Charter

Basic Judging Criteria

• Total domestic and international tourists
• Promotion and marketing activities to promote Malaysia
• Services offered
• Feedback and reviews from tourists and other tourism-related organisations

This award recognizes the best spa operator that fully supports efforts to make Malaysia an international spa destination. It is open to all spa operators registered and rated by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia:

Basic Judging Criteria

• Interior decor and ambiance
• Promotional collaterals and activities
• Facilities and services offered
• Cleanliness and comfort
• Value-for-money
• Trained therapists