613 nominations for Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards (MTA) is back and promises to be bigger with 32 establishments and individuals competing for the prizes.

Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the MTA nominations had risen from 352 in 2011 to 613 this year.

“The 50 per cent increase is due to more new establishments being set up in the city in the last three years, including hotels, entertainment outlets, attractions and chic restaurants.

“We are always looking forward to new avenues to attract first-timers and tourists,” he said after unveiling the MTA trophy at Shangri-La Hotel, here, recently.

Ahmad Phesal said the aim of the MTA was to recognise establishments that had contributed to the growth of the tourism industry.

“KL is the sixth most visited city in the world and fourth for best shopping. These achievements are the results of the financial investments, hard work, dedication and commitment of every individual involved in the tourism industry,” he said.

Ahmad Phesal said a panel of 68 judges had been appointed.

“This not an easy task. They will be judging 200 shortlisted nominees from 14 categories. They are experts in different fields and they are committed to evaluate and identify the best,” he said.

Phesal said the public would also get to vote in the MTA.

“They can vote for their favourite tourism service or product. The vote will account for five per cent of the total,” he said.

The winners in the accommodation category will receive a trophy, certificate and cash incentive for paying their assessment tax.

The platinum five-star accommodation winner will receive RM50,000, while the gold winner will receive RM30,000.

The Platinum four-star accommodation winner will receive RM40,000, while the gold winner will receive RM25,000.

The platinum three-star accommodation winner will receive RM30,000, while the gold winner will receive RM20,000.

The platinum budget accommodation winner will receive RM20,000, while the gold winner will receive RM15,000.

Winners in the restaurant, nightspot, shopping mall, tourist attraction, airline and medical tourism categories will each receive a trophy and certificate. The platinum and gold winners will receive RM10,000 and RM5,000 worth of marketing and promotional support respectively.

Winners in the print media category will receive a trophy and certificate. The platinum and gold winners will receive RM10,000 and RM5,000 worth of advertising space respectively.

Winners in the events category will receive a trophy and certificate. The platinum and gold winners will receive RM10,000 and RM5,000 worth of marketing and promotion support.

Winners in the international tour category will receive three-day, two-night sponsored travel to the MTA, free stay in KL worth RM5,000 and holiday packages worth RM3,000.

The prizes and the Christofle rhodium-plated trophies, which incorporates MTA’s signature five gold stars will be presented to the winners at the MTA gala dinner in June.

Phesal said the MTA event partners were Christofle, YES 4G, Malaysia Airlines, Bon Zainal and Shangri-La Hotel.

Also present were the MTA organising committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Victor Wee, co-chairman Datuk Normah Malik, YTL executive director Datuk Yeoh Soo Keng and Shangri La Hotel general manager Manfred Weber.