Be a Malaysian for a day – Weekend challenge includes F1 racing, laksa, and air ticket raffles

▲Very Malaysian vibes on Taipei streets this weekend (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Taipei

While Taipei’s Summer Travel Exhibition was in full swing at World Trade Center Hall 1, the Xinyi vivocity pedestrian area also buzzed with Southeast Asian flair today (24th). Organized by Tourism Malaysia, the “2014 Malaysia Tourism Year: Asia’s Charm Up Close” experience event brought out an F1 racing game machine, coconut bowling, beanbag toss, and a life-sized proboscis monkey mascot for photos with the public. Those who completed the challenges could join the lucky draw — with the top prize being a free round-trip flight to Malaysia. The festive atmosphere was lively in the afternoon of the weekend.

 
▲Traditional Malaysian dances and musical performances. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

 
▲Visitors participate in challenge games for a chance to win free round-trip flights. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)
Malaysian cuisine, traditional dances, and fun games made the event a hit among participants this weekend. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

2014 has been officially designated as the “Malaysia Tourism Year” by the Malaysian government, meaning “a warmer welcome to travelers from around the world.” Malaysia Tourism Director Faizah Ismail stated that the Malaysia Tourism Year is extending a warm invitation to all visitors. This year, the country has hosted a series of grand cultural events, and many businesses from travel agencies and hotels to shops have rolled out special promotions. The whole nation is gearing up to welcome guests. Faizah further noted that from January to March following the launch of the tourism year, the number of Taiwanese visitors to Malaysia increased by 1.9% compared to the same period last year. In 2013, a total of 285,000 Taiwanese visited Malaysia, and 2014 is expected to surpass 300,000 visitors.