A total of 40 foreign travel agents and media arrived in Malaysia to attend the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House on 2 August at Padang Awam Majlis Daerah Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. The group was specially invited by Tourism Malaysia, under its Mega Familiarisation Programme. The Mega Fam participants come from 11 countries, namely Cambodia, China, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Through their visits, the media report and publicise the event and other tourist attractions in Malaysia while the travel agents are exposed to create attractive holiday packages of the country for their clients.

Prior to the open house, the participants attended a Destination Seminar today at the Royale Bintang Hotel & Spa in Seremban, where they received an overview of the country’s tourism industry and its latest developments through a presentation by Tourism Malaysia. Besides that, representative from Negeri Sembilan Tourism Board (LPNS) delivered a presentation on the state’s tourism products and services while Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson Resort Hotel shared the facilities and services of their property.

The travel agents also attended a “Tell & Sell” session while members of the media were given a special briefing. The Deputy Director General (Promotion) of Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin hosted a lunch for the Mega Fam participants where he also presented certificates to thank them for their participation in the programme. In the evening, they were brought to Homestay Kampung Lonek for a special Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration where they got to experience the excitement of the festival in a rustic village. It was also attended by the Director General of Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and the Executive Counsellor State Tourism of Negeri Sembilan Dato’ Hj. Tun Hairudin Abu Bakar.

Prior to the open house tomorrow, the Mega Fam participants enjoyed a pre-tour around Ladang Alam Warisan in Kuala Pilah and witness a showcase of archery and Malay traditional equestrian.

The Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House was graced by the Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak and wife Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, besides the Minister of Tourism and Culture Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and the Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan Datuk Seri Utama Hj. Mohammad Hj. Hassan.

The following day, the participants proceeded to their post tours to selected tourist destinations around Malaysia, such as Port Dickson, Melaka, i-City, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Redang, Cameron Highlands, Royal Belum Forest, and Kota Kinabalu.