YB Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism Malaysia, on 8th October, launched an exclusive information kit in Kuala Lumpur, that will be presented to the 40 golfers competing for a USD6 million prize purse at the upcoming CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, from 28-31 October 2010 at the Mines Resort & Golf Club.
The information kit, aptly called “Malaysia in a Box,” features an array of memorabilia and information on Malaysia that will be useful to those visiting Malaysia for the first time. “It showcases Malaysia to the world and serves as a guide to all things Malaysian to the players upon arrival in Malaysia,” said YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.
The Ministry of Tourism, keen to promote sports tourism, is one of the main sponsors of this prestigious tournament.
In 2008, tourism brought in RM49.6 billion in tourist receipts, and the figure rose to RM53.4 billion last year (2009). Tourist arrivals were recorded at 23.6 million in 2009, up 7.2% from 22 million tourists in 2008. Malaysia also moved up two notches in the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) ranking to become the world’s ninth most visited destination.
“The Ministry of Tourism supports this tournament because it will enhance Malaysia’s position as an exciting golfing and holiday destination to the world. Golf tourism has great potential to contribute to our nation’s economy; with developments and promotions in this area, we hope to contribute towards the aspirations of the Government to transform Malaysia into a high-income economy,” added YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.
“Malaysia in a Box” will feature information on shopping, dining and interesting places to visit as well as a brief backgrounder on Malaysia and its cultural heritage. The kit will also contain memorabilia symbolizing the unique cultures of Malaysia. Examples of the contents include a hand-woven bag from Sarawak, a batik handkerchief from Terengganu and kainsongket from Kelantan.
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“CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, is proud to have the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia on board as one of our partners in this inaugural event. The Ministry of Tourism Malaysia has always been connected to sports tourism and grassroots development, and has been successful in attracting increasing numbers of tourists to the country over the years. We are really honoured to have the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia on board with us,” said Keld Kristiansen, Executive Chairman, Carbon Media Management.
The first tournament sanctioned by the PGA TOUR in Southeast Asia, the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, will be held from 28 to 31 October 2010 at the Mines Resort & Golf Club. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the PGA TOUR, Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM). In its inaugural year, it will feature an international field of 40 players competing for a USD6 million prize purse, with the winner taking home a prize purse of USD1 million.
The top 25 available players from the PGA TOUR’s final FedExCup standing will qualify for the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia. The top 10 players from the current Asian Tour Order of Merit and five players under sponsor exemptions will join them to complete one of the strongest playing fields in Asia’s golf tournament circuit.
Tickets for the highly anticipated CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, are now on sale. For further details please visit www.cimbasiapacificclassic.com / www.ticketcharge.com.my
About CIMB Group
The title sponsor of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia is CIMB Group. CIMB Group is one of Southeast Asia’s leading universal banking franchises. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur with key offices across Southeast Asia, CIMB Group offers a full suite of financial services and related products. Read more about CIMB Group at www.cimb.com.
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
In 2010, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 34 states and in 12 countries outside of the U.S. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 600 million households in 225 countries and 30 languages.
Virtually all tournaments are organized as nonprofit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2009, tournaments on the three Tours generated $108 million for local charitable organizations. The TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions is approaching $1.5 billion.
The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
About Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Pan Pacific (Official Hotel) and Srixon (Official Ball).
About Professional Golf Association of Malaysia
The PGA of Malaysia is the governing body of professional golf in Malaysia with a membership of 280 touring and vocational pros.
About MINES Resort & Golf Club
The Mines Resort & Golf Club is a proprietary Club beneficially owned and operated by the Mines Excellence Golf Resort Berhad.
Established in 1993 through the vision of its founder, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, and the expertise of legendary architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr., it was transformed from the world’s largest open cast tin mine into an international championship standard 18 Hole golf course in 1993. The green was left to mature for a year with maintenance of the highest standards.
The award-winning 246 acre, Par 71 course has hosted numerous international championships such as the World Cup Golf in 1999, the Women’s World Cup Golf in 2000 and soon, the upcoming CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s first PGA TOUR sanctioned event, from 28 - 31 October 2010.
With a by invitation only policy, its membership profile consists of Royalties, Cabinet Ministers, Captains of Industries and principally, the nation’s elite. The Mines Resort & Golf Club provides world-class facilities together with uncompromised personalised services thus possessing the singular distinction of being the most celebrated golf destination in Malaysia for the elite, the exclusive and the eminent.
About Tourism Malaysia India
Malaysia welcomed 589,838 Indian tourists in the year 2009; and have set an ambitious target of 6,50,000 visitors from India for 2010 - a growth of 10% over 2009. Tourism Malaysia also aims at increasing the length of stay from the present levels of 6.5 days to 7.5 days.
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board popularly known as Tourism Malaysia was established to promote Malaysia as an top of the mind tourist destination showcasing Malaysia's unique wonders, attractions and cultures; develop domestic tourism and enhance Malaysia's share of the market for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). Tourism Malaysia's objective is to promote Malaysia as an outstanding tourist destination and make the tourism industry a major contributor to the socio-economic development of the nation. In India Tourism Malaysia offices are conveniently located in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
Website: www.malaysiajao.com