Malaysia will play host to 4,500-strong group

KUALA LUMPUR – Reliance Pacific has secured a contract worth RM30 million (US$8 million) to bring in 4,500 top sales performers from the Amway China Group to Malaysia this month on an incentive trip.

Thirteen chartered aircraft will be used to ferry them, in five batches, from various cities in China to Kuala Lumpur.

Reliance Pacific travel division group managing director, Mr Chan Meng Fatt, said he was very excited Malaysia had been chosen as the destination.

“The company has been working for months to secure the group. The keys to closing the deal were our focus and commitment on the fulfilment of travel services and our strength in customer service.”

“The contract is testimony to Amway China’s confidence in Reliance and in Malaysia as an attractive incentive destination.”

Amway China general manager, Ms Angela Keung, said: “The participants will start arriving in Kuala Lumpur from April 17 and will stay for four nights in the city.”

Apart from taking part in a business session at the Putra World Trade Centre and attending three elaborate dinners, the group will also visit attractions such as the National Monument, KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre and the Genting Highlands resort.

Their accommodation will be at leading hotels, including Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel and Palace of the Golden Horses.

Mr Chan said the Amway China deal was an result of Reliance’s strategy to extend its business relationships to other countries and bring in high yield tourists such as meeting and incentive groups into Malaysia.

“These groups usually yield better returns as they stay an average of four nights at five-star hotels and have a higher per diem expenditure.”

An industry source not linked to Reliance, who declined to be named, said the average income of the Amway China group representatives travelling to Malaysia ranged from RM15,000 to RM100,000 per month.

The contract had given Reliance an encouraging start to the year.

“We will not rest on our laurels and will continue to aggressively make inroads into China and other Asian markets,” Mr Chan said.

With the appointment of a marketing representative in February, India is also being viewed by Reliance as another important market.

Reliance Sightseeing general manager, Mr Henry Lee, said the contract indicated regional business was not affected by the 9-11 incidents.

Reliance’s programme was designed to create a positive windfall for Malaysia as a destination for the China outbound market.

“The visitors are expected to generate a multiplier effect (of their impressions on Malaysia) on their return home,” Mr Lee said.