Thread: Visit Malaysia, especially Penang!

Here is a recent news report.

Originally Posted by thestar online 10/27

Nation
Friday October 27, 2006

KL the least expensive city

By ROYCE CHEAH

[email protected]

PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur is the least expensive city in the world for Western tourists.

A survey of 71 cities worldwide by Swiss banking giant UBS found that Malaysia's capital has the most competitive prices when it comes to food, electronic goods, clothes, public transport, hotel rates and entertainment.

A five-star hotel room in Kuala Lumpur costs an average US$150 (RM551) compared to with US$450 (RM1,647) for a similar room in New York. The most expensive is Tokyo, where the rate is US$510 (RM1,866).

For a room in a two- or three-star hotel, the rate in Kuala Lumpur is about US$50 (RM183), compared with US$250 (RM915) in New York.

Comparable hotel room prices are found in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Bogota (Colombia) or Nairobi (Kenya) but if a tourist wants to have a short stay including a city tour, Kuala Lumpur is still the cheapest.

The UBS survey put together a basket of goods consisting of an overnight stay for two in a first-class hotel, two dinners with a bottle of house red wine, one taxi ride, a 100km trip in a rented car, two outings to the theatre by public transport and miscellaneous expenses.

It found that one only has to pay US$260 (RM951) for the package in Kuala Lumpur compared with US$920 (RM3,367) in New York.

After Kuala Lumpur, the survey found the next cheapest city to be Manila, where a similar package costs US$330 (RM1,207).

The most expensive city in this category is London where the cost is US$1,180 (RM4,318).

Taxi fares in Kuala Lumpur are also one of the cheapest in the world at US$1.60 (RM5.88) for a 5km trip within the city. A similar trip in New York costs US$11.60 (RM42).

Food prices in Kuala Lumpur are considerably lower than in other cities, with a three-course meal in a good restaurant costing US$12 (RM44) for one person.

As for car prices, a Ford Focus in New York or a Peugeot 206 in Buenos Aires costs less than a Proton in KL. However, fuel prices in Kuala Lumpur are the cheapest among all the cities surveyed.

Apartment rent in Kuala Lumpur is also the cheapest. An unfurnished 3-room apartment in Kuala Lumpur goes for about US$480 (RM1,756) compared with US$5,870 (RM21,484) in New York.

As for wages, KL is still far behind, with an average hourly gross wage (calculated across 14 professions) of US$3.60 (RM13), lower than the Asian average of US$5 (RM18). The average hourly wage in Europe and the United States is US$16-US$17 (RM57-RM61).

Kuala Lumpur folks clock about 16 more days a year than their Western counterparts.

In Penang things will be a bit cheaper as it is not the capital. So what are you waiting for (he he he r/v) come on down to Penang!!! I will be waiting to take your bookings for a guide!

KL the least expensive city

Originally Posted by NST online 10/17

Many tourists keen on self-drive holidays
27 Oct 2006


KUALA LUMPUR: Many visitors to Malaysia prefer to hit the open road on their own.

Instead of following a rigid tour package, they would rather rent a car and drive around the country to enjoy its scenic beauty on their own schedule.

Tourism Malaysia’s newly-appointed director-general, Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, said his ministry planned to tap into this growing popularity and promote self-drive holidays.

But, he said, unclear road signs and Malaysians’ bad driving habits could be a stumbling block.

* "A big complaint from foreign tourists is the confusing road signs. There are too many signs for the same destination pointing in different directions. So which do they follow?" he said recently.

"We need comprehensive maps designed for visitors to make self-drive holidays a success."

Mirza said motoring holidays were popular in Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and Langkawi.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Ngiam Foon agreed that before self-drive holidays could be successfully promoted here, the road signs in the cities and countryside needed to be improved.

Car Rental Association honorary secretary Felix Fernandez said Europeans were keen on self-drive holidays as they could see more of the country.

"This type of holiday is already popular in Australia and New Zealand. With proper promotions, more can be done here," said Fernandez, whose association represents 30 car rental companies with more than 4,000 cars.

He said the popularity of self-drive holidays had been growing steadily here. "My company alone makes about RM1.5 million a year from it."

The Trans Borneo Highway, for example, would be a great treat for tourists interested in such packages, he added.

World Discovery Travel Sdn Bhd business development manager Joseph Xavier said many tourists would love to discover the country by car but did not know how to go about it due to the lack of promotion of such tours.

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online

*Not a problem if you got a guide in Penang.

I can vouch for the excellent services rendered by thebat$ while we visited his quaint island that witholds much history of the then colonial times still visible and preserved for the unique heritage it prides itself!!!

Furthermore, the time and devoted commitment he had displayed and provided, rain or shine, are excellent as anyone could expect for a top and humble guide to help tour & guide us around the island enriched with his knowledge of Penang in particular as a native-born Malaysian of Chinese background.

Consider Penang... the Pearl of The Orient and you will find a wealth of exotic interests and rich display in historical facts and beauty awaiting your arrival...


YB. Cheers to your successful tour guides and pride of Penang Island...

--

I very much enjoyed Penang, although I only spent a day and a night there (and sadly not in the company of Bat$!).

I also agree about KL's prices - unless you want to buy a car it's a very cheap place to stay, although Thailand can be cheaper (I've stayed in a reasonable hotel for just under £10 there).

KL also has the best food in the world.

I have not yet visited Penang; my favourite spot in Malaysia is Langkawi, which, I suppose, is even cheaper than Penang as it is a tax free island.

I have spent Christmas there four times and will do so this year also.

Originally Posted by bultn

I have not yet visited Penang; my favourite spot in Malaysia is Langkawi, which, I suppose, is even cheaper than Penang as it is a tax free island.

I have spent Christmas there four times and will do so this year also.

Langkawi is a for mainly a restful getaway, Penang is getaway plus shopping at door step plus the best food in Malaysia. Langkawi cannot compare in terms of the cultural melting pot as it is predominantly malay. It is also a tax free (duty free) island it is limited to goods like cigarettes, liqour, perfume and chocolates. Food prices there are higher than Penang.

If you want a sample of Malaysia, come to Penang. Talk about food, its all Penang and its all good!

Happy holidays, Bultn. Selamat Datang!

theBat$ has been to Langkawi, nice beaches and duty free shopping!

Other places of interest :-

Cameron Highlands - tea plantation, flowers, nature
Genting Highlands - Casino, casino, casino, theme park
Sabah - Mt. Kinabalu, Diving, Orang Utan Reserve

Bat$, Very interesting post. I would love to visit, But with the problems I have with my wife's health I don't know whether it will be possible. Once we see a revalue of the Dinar things may change enough for me to enjoy the visit. I will definately Use YOUR sevices as a guide, and enjoy your company as a friend at RC. BOB

Originally Posted by bob1940

Bat$, Very interesting post. I would love to visit, But with the problems I have with my wife's health I don't know whether it will be possible. Once we see a revalue of the Dinar things may change enough for me to enjoy the visit. I will definately Use YOUR sevices as a guide, and enjoy your company as a friend at RC. BOB

My friend, you will love it here. There are beaches, musuems, temples, shopping, night market and more. Love trinkets, pewters and antiques? Love branded goods? Love to sample local cuisine? Love to take pictures of nature? Love arts and craft? Want paperback novels, dvd's for low prices? Love tropical fruits? If your answer is YES to all the above... woohoo you should be in Penang.

Take care and my regard to your missus.

theBat$ - r/v already!

Originally Posted by thebat$

My friend, you will love it here. There are beaches, musuems, temples, shopping, night market and more. Love trinkets, pewters and antiques? Love branded goods? Love to sample local cuisine? Love to take pictures of nature? Love arts and craft? Want paperback novels, dvd's for low prices? Love tropical fruits? If your answer is YES to all the above... woohoo you should be in Penang.

Take care and my regard to your missus.

theBat$ - r/v already!

I'm in with a r/v......

OSOK

Good plan, if there's an r/v then I'll come back. I only spent a day/night in Penang and a day/night in Cameron Highlands but a few weeks total in KL over 2 visits.

Bat$ - would love to meet up with you when I can afford to come back again and have you guide me properly around Penang.