My travels to Malaysia over the years have been luckily frequent it keeps pulling me back to learn more about the things I love. From battlefield tourism, Australian World War II prisoner of war experiences, wildlife opportunities, secret bars, its melting pot of British, Dutch, Portuguese, Indian and Chinese influences. The Malay culture offers so many ways to enjoy the country for families, couples and solo travellers.
This is a country with tourism strongholds for many Australians such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi and with an emergence of new destinations that are flourishing with opportunities for tourists who are seeking opportunities beyond the tourism brochures. Ipoh, Klang, Malacca and Kuching are just some of the destinations that have enough on offer to keep you busy for anything from a captivating day trip to a more immersive exploration.
How we get there is also changing.
The way we travel is now as important as the destination.
Emerging trends for tourism, such as social responsibility and sustainability, are just as important to the aviation industry as they are for the hotels and resorts we travel to.
Many travellers are keen to explore how their travels will impact our environment and many in the tourism industry, including airlines, are accepting that being chosen by a traveller runs deeper than the service provided on a flight or a reputation for flights departing on time.
The last time I wrote about flying it was about my experience in a Spitfire above the green fields of Kent in England. The nature of that flight was one of awe at the visceral experience of sitting behind a Merlin engine, flames erupting from the cylinders as it came to life and my stomach nearly erupting as Victory Rolls were performed under those blue skies above the village and airfield of Biggin Hill.
Travelling in an airline passenger jet just doesn’t provide the same opportunity to write about the experience as splitting the air in a World War II fighter.
Some things are better though.
On an Air Asia flight to Malaysia recently I was able to experience some premium seating options that provided more legroom and some spicy Malaysian meals, including a Nasi Lemak that was just about as good as my favourite streetside stall in Kampung Baru, behind the Petronas Towers.
Having a flight crew that is attentive and enjoy a chat is also something I’ve noticed about Air Asia flight crews. I wonder if it’s in the job description? The guy in 1A likes a chat, let’s take turns at talking to him about his travels and his family.
Recent announcements for Air Asia flights from Darwin to Kuala Lumpur and Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur will provide great options for those living in those cities to travel to Malaysia. It will also be an opportunity for those in other states to consider a few days exploring another Australian city. I haven’t been to Darwin and the idea of flying back from Kuala Lumpur to Darwin and spending a few days there before returning to Perth is very appealing.
Where Air Asia are also coming out on top is in their soaring reputation as a top tier airline in the aviation industry’s recent sustainability audit.
Led by aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas, this audit captured Air Asia’s standout performance and commitment to fleet renewal, alternate fuels, repurposing and recycling and putting Air Asia above airlines with lofty targets but low altitude actions.
Back on the ground and in Malaysia, Air Asia is also making their passengers transfer from the airport much easier with its own ride share business providing a service that has drivers communicating directly with passengers where they are located at the airport and driving mostly hybrid and electric vehicles, reflecting the values and commitment of Air Asia to sustainable tourism.
Accommodation through the Air Asia brand makes this a triple hit of home runs in Malaysia.
While airline partnerships with accommodation options close to or in airports are common, Air Asia has reached for the accommodation stars by partnering with the luxury Ormond brand to provide a boutique luxury experience for Air Asia travellers to Kuala Lumpur.
The Chow Kit area is familiar to many as the home of the great Chow Kit markets but close by is the renowned Chow Kit hotel. Voted as Kuala Lumpur’s favourite boutique hotel it nods vigorously to a colonial past while tipping its hat to art deco days and while sitting at the bar trying to look cool, I was expecting Gatsby to pull up a stool next to me at any moment.
Within the streets of Chow Kit is an energy fuelled by history and modernity. The hotel can arrange a local walking tour of the area and there are also self-guided tours that the hotel has put together to get you out of your easy chair in the lounge and outside where the world of Chow Kit whirls around you.
While the Chow Kit hotel and surrounding area provide an experience to embrace, it is also within easy striking distance of Malaysia’s most popular district, Bukit Bintang, renowned for its shopping malls and proximity to the street food of nearby Jalan Alor. Less than five minute’s walk from the hotel is a monorail station which is then just a few minutes ride to Bukit Bintang.
My Spitfire flight was so memorable I got myself a Spitfire tattoo. I won’t be getting an Air Asia tattoo without significant payment but I have no trouble inking my name to supporting airlines that are more than just enjoyable to fly with, they are making a difference by linking the whole travel experience with ride share services and out of the box boutique hotels. Added to that, they are committing to more than sustainability targets. They’re doing things that make all of us think about the contribution we can all make for a better world when we travel.
