TALKING POINTS

YBHG. DATO'?? MIRZA MOHAMMAD TAIYAB

DIRECTOR GENERAL, TOURISM MALAYSIA

PRESS CONFERENCE

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

TURKMENISTAN AIRLINES INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

12 FEBRUARY 2015, THURSDAY

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H.E. MR. YAZKULI MAMMEDOV

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Malaysia

MR. TANRYGULY GURBANMUHAMMEDOV

Deputy of Chief Executive

The 'Turkmenhovayollary'?? National State Service of Turkmenistan

MR. ABDYRAHMAN MAMMETNIYAZOV

Head of the Department of International Relations

State Committee for Tourism of Turkmenistan

Representatives from Turkmenistan Airlines,

Guests from 'Turkmenhovayollary'?? National State Service of Turkmenistan

Members of the Turkmenistan travel trade and media,

Members of the Malaysian Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Good evening and Salam Sejahtera. On behalf of Tourism Malaysia, I would like to thank all of you for your presence here today.

2. I would like to bid all our guests from Turkmenistan a very warm welcome to Malaysia, and to this special ceremony to commemorate Turkmenistan Airlines’ inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur.

3. Turkmenistan’s flight to Kuala Lumpur is a direct result of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Turkmenistan in June last year. Turkmenistan is currently Malaysia’s third largest trade partner in central Asia.

4. Turkmenistan Airlines is the national carrier of Turkmenistan. It was established in 1992. This airline company which operates in Ashbagat is one of the most important airlines in central Asia, connecting 14 international destinations across Russia, Europe, and Asia.

5. We are delighted that starting today, Turkmenistan Airlines will begin its once a week direct flight to Kuala Lumpur, using the Boeing 777-200 airplane model, with a seating capacity for 291 passengers.

6. We are also pleased to know that Turkmenistan Airlines has invited several tour operators and members of the media to participate in this inaugural flight.

7. A total of 12 Turkmenistan tour agents and two media representatives have arrived as part of the Turkmenistan delegation.

8. Their presence here gives Tourism Malaysia an excellent opportunity to showcase the country’s unique tourism products. Beginning tomorrow until 20 February, they will be visiting some of the tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Langkawi, and Melaka.

9. Their arrival is indeed timely as we are celebrating the Malaysia Year of Festivals or MyFEST 2015 currently. Hence, I hope their tour to various parts of Malaysia in these few days will motivate them to help us promote Malaysia when they return to Turkmenistan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

10. This cooperation is an excellent starting point towards attracting more tourists to Malaysia, asTurkmenistan Airlines also offers flights from the regions of Europe, Russia, and Asia.

11. These include cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Almaty, Amritsar, Beijing, Bangkok, New Delhi, Dubai, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London, Birmingham, and Minsk.

12. Therefore, Tourism Malaysia is doing our best to lend support to the arrival of this inaugural flight from Turkmenistan and take this opportunity to promote Malaysia further.

13. Besides this welcome ceremony and the nine-day fam tour for the tour agents and media from Turkmenistan, Tourism Malaysia will also be organising a ‘Get to Know Malaysia’ session tomorrow at the Saloma Theatre Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur.

14. This session aims to give them an opportunity to meet and network with our Malaysian tour agents.

15. The session will also include presentations by Tourism Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), and the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).

Ladies and gentlemen,

16. To ensure the success of this inaugural flight, we have cooperated with Triways Travel Network Sdn. Bhd, who is also the co-sponsor in providing transportation for the Turkmenistan delegation throughout their trip in Malaysia.

17. Therefore, I would like to thank Triways Travel Network, as well as other sponsors who have given their support to make this effort a success.

18. They include the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Tourism Melaka, Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Resort, Four Point Hotel Sheraton Langkawi, Holiday Villa Langkawi, and Marriott Hotel Putrajaya.

19. In conclusion, on behalf of Tourism Malaysia, I am pleased and proud to welcome Turkmenistan Airlines and the Turkmenistan delegation to Malaysia.

20. I hope you’ll have a memorable stay in Malaysia and I look forward to the successful development of the tourism industry of both our great nations.

Thank you.