06/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 6, 2025

21

LYFE

France frowns on ‘no kids’ hotels, eateries THE French government is mulling measures to clamp down on adult-only hotels and restaurants, with a top official warning hospitality venues excluding children in a so-called “no kids” strategy were dividing society. While Paris is considered one of the most child-friendly cities in the world, more and more venues in France have been shunning children in an effort to shield customers from kids’ unpredictable behaviour and noise. The government held a roundtable meeting last week with key industry players to discuss a trend that France’s high commissioner for childhood Sarah El Hairy has said should end. Socialist senator Laurence Rossignol has introduced a bill that would make it illegal to ban children from venues in France. “Children are not a nuisance,” said Rossignol. He added that the bill is aimed at promoting a society that is open to children. “We cannot accept that some people decide they no longer want to tolerate a particular section of the population, in this case children,” she said. El Hairy said excluding children was infringing on their rights, putting pressure on their parents and dividing society. “There is a growing intolerance, and we must not allow it to take hold. We are pushing children and families out, and in a way, this is real violence. “It is not in our culture, it is not our philosophy, and it is not what we want to see as the norm in our country,” El Hairy told broadcaster RTL. On May 27, she brought together representatives of the tourism and transport industries, including Airbnb, to discuss the “no-kids” trend. In France, adult-only services are currently limited. According to estimates from a travel industry union, they represented around 3% of the market in 2024. Questions about children’s place in society have been at the forefront of the public debate in France in recent years. The French Federation of Nurseries has repeatedly called on lawmakers to ensure children’s right “to make noise”. In the spring of last year, a report submitted to President Emmanuel Macron said authorities needed to create alternatives to help children reduce the amount of screen time and “give them back their rightful place, including their right to be noisy”. – AFP

The welcoming ceremony at KKIA in conjunction with the celebration of the Kaamatan Festival and the VM2026 campaign.

Sabah visitors get warm welcome at KKIA I N conjunction with the celebration of the Kaamatan Festival and the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, Tourism Malaysia Sabah hosted a special welcoming event at Kota Kinabalu International Airport to greet arriving o Authorities pull all stops to promote cultural experience of Kaamatan Festival visitors with an engaging showcase of local culture and tradition.

Bakar, KKIA senior airport manager Jefry Ramli, Sabah Tourism Board marketing manager Bobby Alex @ William, Matta Sabah chapter deputy chairman Alex Chong, Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association Sabah chapter chairman Vincent Sia, Sabah Tourist Association chairman Melanie Chu and representatives from respective airlines. The Kaamatan Festival, celebrated annually in May, honours the rice spirit Bambaazon and is a time of thanksgiving, unity and cultural pride among Sabah’s indigenous communities. This initiative aligns with Tourism Malaysia’s goals to boost cultural tourism and elevate visitor experiences in gearing up for VM2026. Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to record a strong recovery and growth. Last year, Malaysia welcomed 38 million international visitors – a 31.1% increase from 2023 and 8.3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Visitor receipts also surged, generating RM106.78 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.7% growth over 2023 and exceeding 2019 figures by 20%. This positive trend has continued into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million visitor arrivals, a 21.0% year-on-year increase. The top 10 visitor–generating markets from January to April were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, Philippines, Australia and the UK.

Throughout the day, 27 flights arrived during the event period, bringing visitors from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and destinations across Malaysia. These included an estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic travellers, all of whom were welcomed with festive cheer and cultural experiences upon arrival. Guests were treated to a rich cultural experience featuring Magunatip (bamboo dance) and traditional Kadazandusun performances, along with a sampling of local traditional delicacies, including tapai (fermented glutinous rice). The event was ceremoniously launched with the resonating beat of a traditional gong by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, accompanied by a symbolic winnowing of rice by distinguished guests together with a Kulintangan music performance as a tribute to the spirit of the Kaamatan Festival. Also in attendance were Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu

Traditional dancers perform the Magunatip bamboo dance during the Kaamatan Festival 2025 celebration at KKIA, showcasing Sabah’s vibrant indigenous culture to visitors.

France is considering measures against hotels with a children ban. – PEXELSPIC

Tourism Malaysia, Agoda join forces for Visit Malaysia 2026 TOURISM Malaysia and Agoda, a digital travel platform, have entered into a collaboration to position Malaysia as the top travel destination in Southeast Asia, aligning with the national campaign for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). By utilising its digital platform and social media channels, the digital travel platform will bring Malaysia’s unique offerings, from its culinary delights to its scenic wonders, to the forefront of international travel. Agoda to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. “Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives.”

The collaboration supports Tourism Malaysia’s goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals.

Agoda country director (Malaysia) Fabian Teja shared: “This partnership underscores Agoda’s dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through our innovative technology and engaging content. “We are excited to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the market’s unique attractions, including its lush rainforests and rich cultural heritage.” Both parties are committed to sharing best practices and insights through joint workshops focusing on

The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia’s goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. The platform will share its vast global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia’s policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on international and domestic travellers. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy stated: “Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with

This partnership aims to leverage the platform’s digital reach to highlight Malaysia’s diverse attractions to a global audience. Under a newly signed two-year memorandum of collaboration, both parties will roll out a series of targeted digital campaigns. These initiatives will offer travellers comprehensive insights into Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes and urban experiences.

The only highlights Tourism Malaysia and Agoda’s commitment to making VM2026 a success, but also serves as a catalyst for Malaysia’s tourism industry growth. partnership not

traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism development. This collaboration aims to enhance user experiences and help travellers explore Malaysia’s diverse destinations.