LAUNCHING OF MALAYSIA FOOD AND TRAVEL FAIR 2019, VIENTIANE CENTER, 5 OCTOBER 2019

OPENING REMARKS

BY

HIS EXCELLENCY MR. MOHD. AINI ATAN

AMBASSADOR OF MALAYSIA TO THE LAO PDR

LAUNCHING OF MALAYSIA FOOD AND TRAVEL FAIR 2019,

VIENTIANE CENTER, 5 OCTOBER 2019

His Excellency Savankhone Razmountry

Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao PDR

Daovone Phachanthavong

Vice President of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Ambassadors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and Gentleman,

Selamat Datang, Sabaidee Ton Sao and Good Morning.

1. Welcome to the Malaysia Food and Travel Fair 2019 hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane and Tourism Malaysia Vientiane.

2. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Lao PDR Government especially Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao PDR and the Lao National Tourism Administration for all your support in making this event a reality.

3. On 22 July 2019, Malaysia proudly launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign logo to promote tourism industry in the country. The theme of the campaign is Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020.

4. On the tourism front, Lao tourist arrivals to Malaysia have increased steadily as much as 11.47 percent in the first 7 months of 2019 compared to 2018. We look forward to a significant increase by the end of this year and hope it would have a spillover effect for next year’s Visit Malaysia 2020. We aim to achieve an estimate of 39,000 Lao tourist arrivals to Malaysia.

5. Malaysia is positioned among the top tourist destinations in the world, and is strategically located as a regional hub for tourism.

6. In addition, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 9^th in the list of most-visited cities in 2017 according to the Top 100 City Destinations 2018 report.

7. Today, the event to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2020 logo is held in conjunction with the Malaysia Food and Travel Fair 2019. Here today, will be showcasing 12 booths that will be selling Malaysian cuisines and attractive travel packages for Vientiane-Kuala Lumpur-Vientiane sector.

8. The types of food that we will be selling are Curry Mee, Rojak, ABC Ais Kacang, Teh Tarik, Flavours and Spices Restaurant: Squid Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Roti Paratha/Canai and Dhal, Samosa, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng, Mee Goreng, Bihun Sup, Nasi Kerabu, Satay, Karipap, Soto, Rendang and Pulut, Bubur Kacang and dry foods.

9. Out of the 12 booths, five (5) booths will be dedicated to Malaysian cuisine and seven (7) booths dedicated to Lao travel agents, namely:

1. Four Seasons Restaurant;
2. Flavours and Spices Restaurant;
3. Sihom Kopitiam;
4. Lim Seng Huat;
5. Ladies Association of the Embassy or PERWAKILAN;
6. Lao National Tourism Administration;
7. Tourism Malaysia Vientiane;
8. Analine Travel;
9. Ninhomlao Tour;
10. Mina Travel;
11. Worldwide Journey Services; and
12. Aspen Holidays.

10. The two-day event will also be showcasing several types of dances by our cultural troupe from Tourism Malaysia which is specially flown from Kuala Lumpur. The troupe will be performing four (4) times a day, with four (4) different types of dances, portraying our multi-racial backgrounds from all over the country.

11. In addition, there will be various activities such as quizzes and games that will be played and are opened to all Vientiane Center visitors. 

12. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for the event. Attractive prizes await all customers visiting Vientiane Center.

13. I hope that all of us in Vientiane would come to the event, bring your friends and family to enjoy all the Malaysian foods offered by us at the event which is at the very reasonable price as well as stand the opportunity to win various prizes on offer.

14. Kob Kob Chai, Terima kasih and thank you.