Organising a travel reward for 250 people during Chinese New Year allows a peak into a cultural aspect of the destination, but it also comes with unique challenges
Overcoming festive hurdles
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Event brief
Kuala Lumpur-based DMC, Universal Holidays Travel and Tourism, planned and executed an incentive travel programme to Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur for 250 qualifiers of a manufacturing company from Pakistan. The trip, held from January 26 to February 2, coincided with the Chinese New Year festive season in Malaysia, which also happened to be a peak travel season for both domestic and international travel.
Event highlights
Delegates connected at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 on a domestic flight to Langkawi. There, they spent three days, enjoying nature-based attractions such as a private guided tour of the mangroves and a cable car ride from the foothill of the Machinchang mountain to the Top Station, 708m above sea level.
On their third day, delegates participated in water sports on Chenang Beach. A private session was arranged with local operators so that delegates could enjoy parasailing and riding a jet ski.
Zahira Tahir, founder and CEO, Universal Holidays Travel and Tourism, said for many delegates, it was their first time parasailing or jet skiing.
Universal Holidays erected a marquee on the public beach where delegates could rest and hide from the blazing sun.
Next stop, Kuala Lumpur, where delegates visited the KL Tower Observation Deck for an aerial view of the city and surroundings, and the famous Petronas Twin Towers. They also went on a city tour and spent half a day enjoying the rides and thrills at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.
One of the activity highlights was a private race at Sepang International Go-Kart circuit. It was the attraction’s first private race for an international corporate group. The full-day event included prize presentation and an on-site lunch.
As a grand finale, the group was hosted to a gala dinner with live musical performances at JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur a day prior to departure.
Challenges
Securing seats for 250 people to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi during the domestic travel peak season was a challenge. The group had to be split up, flying on three different airlines.
Sourcing for restaurants in Langkawi large enough to accommodate everyone was another challenge. Options were further limited as some of the large restaurants were closed for holidays, while others in operation had manpower constraints.
Universal Holidays eventually persuaded a few large restaurants to reopen just for the group. This came at a higher cost, as the restaurants had to pay extra for labour.
Zahira recalled that restaurants in Langkawi also relied on the mainland for vegetables, meat and even canned drinks in large quantities. She shared: “At the last minute, I wanted to change a chicken dish to mutton, but the restaurant manager said this could not be done as they would need more time to source for the meat from mainland Kedah.”
Event Incentive travel for a manufacturing company from Karachi
Organiser Universal Holidays Travel and Tourism
Destinations Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur
Dates January 26 to February 2
Attendance 250