DUBAI, May 5 (Bernama) — Firefly Holiday, billed as Malaysia’s first full-fledged travel portal now offering worldwide holiday packages with a do-it-yourself feature, was officially launched in conjunction with the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2010 here Wednesday.

Doing the honours was Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who also launched the 1Malaysia holiday packages offered by Malaysia Airlines.

“Firefly Holiday is ideal for the general traveller as it offers convenience from time of booking to point of arrival at the preferred destination,” she said at the event held at the Malaysia pavilion.

For tour operators, it provides one touch point for all ground arrangements.

“In essence, they are the online local partner, hence the convenience extends not only to the travellers but also to agents,” Dr Ng said.

Since its inception in April 2008, Firefly Holiday has evolved from offering Malaysian and regional packages only, to more than 100 Malaysia Airlines destinations worldwide via its international holiday packages.

Firefly Holiday is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.

Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong said: “We’ll be working aggressively with travel agents here at the ATM to partner with us and market Firefly Holiday to their customers.”

Since the commencement of its services into Singapore in July 2009, Firefly airline has since connected travellers from Singapore into various points of Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur via Subang, Terengganu, Ipoh and Kuantan.

Meanwhile, the “1Malaysia Summer Specials” are being offered by MASholidays, the travel arm of Malaysia Airlines.

The holiday packages start from as low as 2,446 dirhams (RM2,150) per person, inclusive of return economy class travel on Malaysia Airlines, four-day/three-night accommodation and daily breakfast.

The travel period is from now till July 31, 2010.

Merina Abu Tahir, Malaysia Airlines’ regional general manager for the Middle East, Africa and South America, said: “Customers have a choice of a wide array of destinations ranging from shopping in Kuala Lumpur to the sunny beaches of Penang and Langkawi as well as eco-tourism in Sabah and Sarawak.”

“For a wholesome experience of these destinations, customers can also choose from more than 55 optional tours available from as low as 41 dirhams (RM36) per person,” she added.

After its success in grossing RM1.8 million sales at the Matta Fair in March, Firefly is aiming to soar again at the two-day Malaysia Domestic Tourism Fair (MDTF) at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur from May 14.

“There will be more than 100 travel packages for both airfare and ground arrangements tailored for everybody,” says its head of marketing and communications Angelina C. Fernandez.

Firefly will offer more new domestic destinations including routes served by Malaysia Airlines such as destinations in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Some of our packages will be very cost-efficient for groups. This will also cover ground travel. Some of our ground packages are guaranteed as the lowest in price,” she adds.

Prizes worth over RM250,000 in air tickets, hotels stays, spa treatments, meals and a wide range of merchandise are also up for grabs at the fair.

All buyers stand a chance to win a prize. Prizes are also given out through lucky dips and travel-themed games. Firefly’s top draw will be its ATR Flight Simulator Challenge where every pilot wannabe can have a near real experience to fly a plane. Winners will get free tickets to various destinations.

“We’ll be giving away tickets daily and the top ‘pilot’ of course gets the best ticket,” says Fernandez.

Scenarios on the simulator include flying at the Ipoh Airport as well as landing. Coaching will be given by qualified pilots and marks will be given on how well participants ma-nage their landings. Five minutes will be given for this challenge.

“As usual, we like to surprise our customers on site with more new things. We offer customers the best of the best,” she says.

Firefly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines and was introduced as a “community airline” on April 3, 2007. Its flights operate from Penang and Subang in Selangor.

 “Firefly Holiday is ideal for the general traveler as it offers convenience from time of booking to point of arrival at the preferred destination. For tour operators, it provides one touch point for all in one ground arrangements. In essence, they are the online local partner hence, the convenience extends not only to the travelers, but also to its agents,” said the Minister.

She further notes, “When visitors are already in Malaysia, they can use the Firefly services to get around the country, and even the region if they want to. This further enhances the ‘One destination, four countries’ concept, where Malaysia serves as a touch base for visitors before going about the Asian region”.

Since its inception in April 2008, Firefly Holiday has evolved from offering Malaysian and regional packages only, to more than 100 Malaysia Airlines worldwide destinations via its international holiday packages.

Managing Director of Firefly, Dato’ Eddy Leong said, “We will be working aggressively with travel agents here in ITB to partner with us and market Firefly Holiday to their customers. We are certain that customers will recognize the uniqueness of our services when in Malaysia and this in turn, is one selling point we will share with the agents.”

A variety of packages are offered for travel into Malaysia from specific destination points for instance Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and United Kingdom. Travelers can then opt for post travel within Malaysia such as islands of Langkawi and Terengganu, and tropical forests of East Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

 Since the commencement of its services into Singapore in July 2009, Firefly has since connected travelers from Singapore into various points of Malaysia namely Kuala Lumpur via Subang, Terengganu, Ipoh (Perak) and Kuantan (Pahang). This has further enhanced the various package offerings for visitors from the neighboring country.

 Firefly Holiday International Packages compliments the services offered by Firefly due to the existing code share agreement with Malaysia Airlines, which enables the travel portal to pair up its ground packages with international flights.

Launched in late 2008, Firefly plays the role as the operating carrier with Malaysia Airlines as the marketing carrier in their code share relation. Listed under the MH 9000 series, Firefly code share flights reach a wider distribution channel via Malaysia Airlines. Tickets can be purchased in conjunction with Malaysia Airlines or with other airlines where there is an existing commercial agreement.

For inquiries please email Alita Suraya at alita@malaysiaairlines.com or call +6016

3414 700 or +603 7840 4899

Grab the Best Travel Deals at the Biggest Travel Fair Now !

The 1st MITM TRAVEL FAIR JOHOR is organised by the Johor Chapter of Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), at PERSADA JOHOR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE on 25th – 27th July, 2008, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm.

The largest Travel Fair ever had in Johor Bahru with about 40 exhibitors taken up 150 booths.

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