MASholidays Offers New Cyber Destinations, Rebranded Holiday Products

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- MASholidays, the travel and tour arm of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), has embarked on promoting Malaysia as a premier tourist destination through a first-of-its-kind 3D Virtual Social Game World (VSGW) outreach and a series of rebranded holiday package offers. They were unveiled on Sunday at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. MASholidays chairman Dr Amin Khan said MAS was the first airline in the world to use the VSGW to promote its destinations. "We're very excited about the new horizons it will open up for us as we interact with Gen X and Gen Y travelers for whom using social media is as routine as having a meal," he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian national carrier. The VSGW specially developed for the airline is known as "The Lost Treasure of Malaysia" that allows internet users to experience Malaysia in a way that has never been done before since they get to enjoy a fascinating world of adventure, hidden treasure and mythology. VSGW viewers will be immersed in a rich 3D virtual world as they browse to explore an ancient Malaysian kingdom and compete in search of treasure chests, relics and items which have been stolen from the royalty, to gain points and emerge as the "Hero of Malaysia" to win real MASholidays packages and related merchandise. The statement said certain items in the VSGW adventure would also unlock access to special areas such as MASholidays lounges where travelers could access more destinations, items and content. Although the "The Lost Treasure of Malaysia" is only due for public release in 2012, the launch demo was premiered in London by Dr Amin Khan and Tourism Malaysia acting director-general Azizan Noordin. The VSGW platform also allows MASholidays to sell real world products, packages, flights, tickets, promotions and other value-added products and services through a single convergent web portal, the statement said. MASholidays also launched its enhanced Malaysia Stopover Programme (MSO) 2012 at the WTM. Themed "Hola Malaysia!", the enhanced MSO 2012 offerings comprising about 70 ground options aim to further promote inbound arrivals into Malaysia and convert passengers transiting in Malaysia as tourists. It offers attractive products and choices with an increase of more than 20 per cent in hotel partners which translate to more than one million room nights a year. -- BERNAMA