THE devaluation of the Malaysian ringgit against major currencies is added value for Chinese MICE planners and organisers holding events in Malaysia.
At press time, the ringgit has depreciated 13.4 and 14.2 per cent against the US dollar and renminbi respectively compared with a year ago.
Ahead of IT&CM China 2015, Mint Leong, managing director of major Malaysian operator Sunflower Holidays, shared: “This is a good time to visit Malaysia because of the cost savings, despite the GST which came into force nationwide on April 1.
“A four-night programme in Malaysia with full-board, twin-share accommodation and one-day sightseeing tour in Kuala Lumpur offers savings of US$50 per person.
“When we visit corporate companies with our travel consultant counterparts in China, we pitch Malaysia as an affordable incentive destination where their top management can save money,” she noted.
Leong added the depreciation of the ringgit is partly the reason for the increased number of enquiries the company has received so far this year. The company has also intensified its promotional efforts and will host potential buyers on fam trips to Malaysia.
She said: “We see the ringgit depreciation as an opportunity to attract more MICE groups from China and we are going all out.”
Another inbound tour operator, Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours, is also taking advantage of the weakened ringgit, seeing it as a good opportunity to attract business from competing destinations like Thailand and Indonesia.
The company’s CEO, Alex Lee, said: “The impact of the GST is cushioned by the weakened ringgit and still translates to overall savings for MICE organisers.
“Thus, to draw them to Malaysia and for our company to stand out from the crowd, we have introduced creative itineraries in the East Coast for incentive travellers.
“The Chinese love the water so we offer snorkelling off Terengganu where the corals and marine life are great, followed by barbecues on quiet beaches and activities like tele-matches.
“A very small niche is interested in local culture, so we organise private viewings ofMakyung and Menora performances in Kelantan and Terengganu.
“Participants also get to interact with the artists. By being creative, we’ve seen some signs of recovery in the Chinese MICE market.”
Read the full story in the TTG Official Show Daily – IT&CM China 2015
