KUALA LUMPUR, 17 FEB 2016: The Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Malaysia Tourism Awards concluded with YBhg. Tan Sri Desmond Lim Siew Choon and Resorts World Genting as the big winners of the night, having been handpicked by YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak to receive the Prime Minister’s Awards in the Individual and Organisation categories respectively.

The awards were presented to them by YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, tonight at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

YBhg. Tan Sri Desmond Lim is the Chairman and Executive Director of Pavilion Real Estate investment Trust (REIT) which owns Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the iconic shopping mall of Malaysia. The award is an acknowledgement of Tan Sri Desmond’s contributions towards making Malaysia a shopping hub in the region. His award-winning shopping mall is extremely popular among tourists, who account for more than 30% of its shoppers.

Resorts World Genting, meanwhile, received the honours for its enthusiasm to collaborate with industry players to promote Malaysia. Its spirit of innovation was also acknowledged for bringing on board the soon-to-be-opened Twentieth Century Fox World Theme Park and a shopping precinct to Genting Highlands.

The Malaysia Tourism Awards also recognized the efforts of Madam Alice Tong Ah Chin, Director of Desaru Fruit Farm Trading (Malaysia), and Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels, both recipients of the Minister’s Award for an Individual and Organisation respectively.

Madam Alice was acknowledged for her unfailing support of the Malaysian tourism industry through her brainchild, Desaru Fruit Farm in Johor. Her tireless effort to combine agriculture, education and tourism has resulted in an award-winning and popular tourism product.

Meanwhile, Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels, was commended for bringing world-class luxury and family-friendly experiences to Malaysia through brands such as LEGOLAND, the Datai Langkawi and Puteri Harbour.

This 19^th edition of the Malaysia Tourism Awards presented a total of 65 awards to local and foreign tourism industry players and media in recognition of their support for Malaysia’s tourism growth and development. The awards ceremony was organized by Tourism Malaysia and attended by members of the local and international tourism industry.

The full list of winners is attached.

For more media releases, media info and media features on Malaysia’s tourism industry, kindly visit the Media Centre of Tourism Malaysia’s website at http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/

MALAYSIA TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD OR TOURISM MALAYSIA is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia at all levels. Since its inception, Tourism Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds and it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. In 2014, Malaysia registered 27.4 million tourist arrivals and RM72 billion in receipts, making tourism its second largest foreign exchange earner.

Through the Tourism NKEA (National Key Economic Area), collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, other Government agencies and the private sector have been enhanced to help secure Malaysia’s position as a leading tourist destination and achieve the country’s target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in receipts by 2020.

The targets set under the Tourism NKEA will be achieved through the implementation of twelve Entry Point Projects (EPPs) clustered under five themes: Affordable Luxury; Nature Adventure; Family Fun; Events, Entertainment, Spa and Sports; and Business Tourism.

Press contact:

Media Relations Unit:

Shukri Hanafiah, Senior Deputy Director, Corporate Communication Division

Tel: +603-8891 8767

Email: shukrihanafiah@tourism.gov.my

Editorial Unit:

Anis Rozalina Ramli (Ms), Senior Editor, Corporate Communication Division

Tel: +603-8891 8759

Email: anisramli@tourism.gov.my