Corporate incentive planners are buzzing with excitement after AirAsia Malaysia recently announced the launch of its inaugural flight between Kuala Lumpur and Perth on March 11, 2024.
These seven new services will complement AirAsia X’s – an affiliate airline – existing daily medium-haul operations connecting Kuala Lumpur and Perth.
This will bode well for the Malaysian incentive market, said Koh Yock Heng, group managing director, Apple Vacations, as there has been “a notable decline in outbound European tour bookings and incentives to Middle East and Europe” due to geopolitical issues.
Koh added: “This enhanced air connectivity will play a crucial role in advancing our efforts to promote Perth and Western Australia for both incentive and leisure travel.”
On what would appeal to Malaysian incentives, he pointed to Western Australia’s favourable weather conditions, renowned wineries, exceptional opportunities for nature and wildlife sightseeing, and diverse range of experiences.
Corporate Information Travel’s (CIT) business development manager, Foo Sze Zhaun, indicated that this announcement will strengthen the existing collaboration between CIT and Tourism Western Australia in attracting Malaysian outbound corporates and leisure travellers to Western Australia.
Foo also expressed optimism that more flights will also help stabilise airfares, as Perth is a “perennially-appealing destination located just. 5.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur”.
Meanwhile, Zahira Tahir, founder and CEO of Universal Holidays Travel and Tourism, opined that the new air routes have also created an opportune moment for her company to enter the Australian incentive market.
She elaborated: “This is a new market for us, which we plan to actively engage by participating in tradeshows in Australia to identify potential partners.”
