Over 6.5 million tourists expected for 44-day event

Malaysia's mega sale carnival

Malaysia's mega sale carnival--a six week-long spree of bargain hunting and mind-numbing discounts--is on full swing with a heavy focus on 'fashion and lifestyle items'.

The event which is a shopaholic's Mardi-Gras is expected to attract over 6.5 million tourists this year pumping billions into the cash registers of local merchants.

From sophisticated high-tech equipment and haute couture to cosmetics and unique knick-knacks, just about anything for anybody goes on bargain basement prices at the carnival which ends in September.

The launch of the carnival on July 24 highlighted Kuala Lumpur's fashion trends from the year 1872 onwards.

"The government has successfully embedded the Mega Sale carnival into the minds of tourists and locals alike, providing them the opportunity to seek great bargains up to 70% on selected items," said Tourism Malaysia's vice-president in Vancouver Baharuddin Sulaiman.

Baharuddin Sulaiman

The aim of the Mega Sale Carnival is to further anchor Kuala Lumpur's position a leading fashion hub in the world, as well as taking the advantage of the prevailing favourable exchange rate for visitors from Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Middle East in getting more value out of their money.

The Mega Sale Carnival has been a significant contributor to the country's economy as the tourist in-flow in 2002 and 2003 indicated a marked increase of tourist arrivals during the Mega Sale months, which were on March, August and December.

Beginning this year, the country's big sale will be held only once every year, replacing the three-time annual affair since its inception in 1999. In the recent March 2004 Mega Sale Carnival launched in Penang, 5,406 retailers took part. The number of participating retailers during the Mega Sale Carnival in the July 2004 is expected to surpass that total.

Tourism Minister Dr Leo Michael Toyad said the carnival entrenches Malaysia as the premier shopping paradise in the region.

"I believe this three-month event would be better received than last year's, particularly since 6.5 million tourists were here during the first quarter of this year," he said.

"Shopping has been identified as the main reason why tourists visit our country."

The heart of the carnival like atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur is along Jalan Bukit Bintang where there are street fiestas, buskers and performers entertaining shoppers.

The 44-day event has also got the local banking giant event Maybank predicting it will issue 20,000 new credit cards between now and September.

There is also a month long mega sale of CDs and VCDs, which started on July 26, that offer discounts of up to 50 per cent.

The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia said 70 per cent of items, including new releases would be on discount during the period, adding that 30 recording companies in the country would supply the CDs and VCDs.

In addition tourists get to choose from a huge range of locally produced handicrafts with silver, pewter and brass offering excellent workmanship at unbeatable prices.

Many other items of rattan, wickerwork, cloth and pottery are inexpensive and of high quality. Oriental art objects and curios are abundant. Carvings in wood and stone, paintings, tapestries, rugs of silk and fine woollen carpets are also available. Batiks on silk and cotton with bold designs in brilliant colours and typically Malaysian patterns are different from those offered in other Asian countries. An extensive range of quality ready-to-wear apparel in modern designs and hues; from sedate to vivid, are accompanied by a complete range of handbags, shoes and accessories. Designer collections from the fashion centres of the world include, with the best-tailored garments, a range of elegant footwear, optical accessories and quality fabrics.

The latest in electrical appliances, electronic equipment, computers and cameras can be found at bargain prices.

For more information on Malaysia, contact Tourism Malaysia 1-888-689-6872