Samsung Malaysia Electronics has announced that Bixby’s voice capabilities are now available in Mandarin Chinese. This gives existing Malaysian users of the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8 devices an additional option to experience Samsung’s intelligent interface in their own comfortable language.

KM Liew, Head of Samsung Malaysia Electronics’ IT & Mobile division, said that Samsung’s move to introduce the new language within Bixby is due to strong interests from the large Mandarin Chinese-speaking community in Malaysia.

“We at Samsung believe this is a significant step forward in allowing our consumers do and achieve things in a more comfortable and convenient way, as Mandarin is the mother tongue and first language of many Malaysians. We are confident that now, many more users of these devices will be able to fully experience Bixby as it was meant to be experienced,” said Mr Liew.

Prior to this, other language options that were supported by Bixby were US English and Korean. The introduction of Bixby in Mandarin Chinese will allow Malaysian consumers more flexibility, contextual awareness and cognitive tolerance in interacting with their Samsung devices for a superior and seamless experience. For example, users can say “dă kāi xiàng jī (打开相机)” and Bixby will do the honours of opening up the camera app.

With the introduction of its new language capability, Mandarin Chinese will now be integrated into Bixby Home, Reminder and Vision, as well as selected native apps by Samsung, Bixby Lab and other third parties. Via Mandarin Chinese, existing Malaysian users will be able to smoothly switch from voice command, to touch, to text, and back to voice in their own comfortable language.

As Samsung is constantly looking to meet industry demands, Bixby will be continually improved with updates and added features, according to consolidated feedback from the Samsung consumer community. Not only that, its natural language-understanding ability allows Bixby to continuously improve its interpretations of regional dialects, giving users the option to interact with Bixby in even more Chinese dialects in time.

Bixby’s availability on the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8 is just the beginning. As the Bixby ecosystem grows, it will connect across devices, apps and services as an intelligent interface, and open up new experiences and scenarios to ensure convenience.

For more information, visit http://www.samsung.com/my/apps/bixby/.

The Projector and Laneway Festival Singapore present On The Road, a Michael Winterbottom rockumentary on indie rock band Wolf Alice as it promotes its debut studio album, My Love Is Cool, for the last time on a frenetic 16-date UK and Ireland tour.

Winterbottom blurs fact and fiction in his signature auteur style: Two invented crew members, Estelle and Joe start talking…and a spark kindles. They and the romance that ensues serve as conduits to convey life on tour. The part-music documentary, part-love story is an endearingly honest attestation to the realities of an indie band on the promotional route in this age stripped of 1990s music excesses.

Viewers will get information about the tour, the recording of the live shows, life backstage, the band’s interaction with the media. They should not expect matching leather anything or scenes of hedonistic living. Hummus and Doritos, however, do appear occasionally in this carefully-crafted, rich gem.

For one night only, On The Road will be screened exclusively:

The Projector
8.30pm, 11 January 2018

The Laneway Party will follow at The Intermission Bar.

agoda , one of the world’s fastest-growing online travel booking platforms, has predicted that 2018 will see consumers looking for a simpler way to book their travel accommodation. Whilst many major travel industry players continue to deliver complex products and loyalty programs, independent travelers will instead choose companies that deliver streamlined travel experiences through leveraging effective technologies.

Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Product Officer at agoda, comments: “Consumers today expect to get well-digested information quickly. They don’t have the time or patience to do things a service can do for them. They will look to offerings that add value by simplifying the way they travel – from researching destinations to ordering room service. At agoda we are committed to drilling down to the basics so that our customers can experience the properties and services they want without weeding through unnecessary complexity.”

Here are agoda’s predictions for the travel industry in 2018:

Simplification wins over “buzzword” technology

The last few years has seen plenty of hype around developments in AR and VR, with some working to apply these interactive experiences to the travel space. Whilst the benefits of these new opportunities should be explored, there has been little consumer demand for such experiences, and the hardware isn’t advanced enough to provide real value.

In 2018, agoda will focus on leveraging technology that can save consumers time, rather than concentrating efforts on hyped up technology. For example, expect to see travel providers continue to develop solutions that use AI to increase personalisation of travel experiences.

“At agoda we’ve already been leveraging AI to deliver the best customer experience, from using it to deliver personalized accommodation recommendations to AI-enabled chat bots. Expect to see more of this in 2018”, said Morgenshtern.

The emergence of ‘anti-rewards’ programs

Given the amount of choice and competitive pricing in the travel industry, added benefits and rewards are more important than ever. However, according to a CapGemini Study, 90 per cent of social media sentiment around rewards programs is negative. 33 per cent of this sentiment cites the lack of a seamless multi-channel customer experience, whilst 44 per cent is around the lack of reward relevance, flexibility and value. And this is no surprise – most consumers rarely understand what benefits they will be getting with many of today’s rewards programs, or how to get them.

In an effort to replace these nebulous rewards programs with more straight-forward incentives, agoda launched Gift Cards, a simple way for customers to earn immediately usable agoda cash value credit for future bookings. Under this new rewards program customers know how much Gift Cards they will receive before they make any booking. This gets credited to their agoda account after a completed booking.  Unlike other loyalty programs – where you need to accumulate a minimum number of points before you redeem – you can use your agoda Gift Cards credit as soon as you receive it, without any minimum spend or other restrictive conditions.

In the first year of launching Gift Cards agoda has awarded millions of dollars (USD) of cashback credit. As the market becomes increasingly saturated, consumers will look to rewards programs more than ever to decide where their loyalty lies.  

Travel as an integrated experience

Year-on-year, agoda has seen a 60 per cent overall increase in the use of its mobile app, for both researching and booking travel, suggesting consumers increasingly prefer an easy, on-the-go experience. In 2016, about 40 per cent of agoda’s bookings globally were done through mobile. Fast-forward one year later, and that has increased to 50 per cent.

With the rising success of multi-functional apps such as WeChat in China, in 2018 this trend is set to catch-on throughout the rest of the world to feed the increasing need for a more integrated travel experience.

This year, agoda launched an integrated tool called ‘agoda Reception’ to further support customers after they have made their booking. The new feature will enable agoda customers to access reception and room services, arrange transport to and from the property, as well as to discover nearby attractions – all without leaving the agoda app.

Millennial as a mindset, not an age bracket

With the term ‘millennial’ beginning to take on meaning beyond just one’s age, in 2018 there will be a shift towards millennial as a mindset. agoda’s global Travel & Tech Study showed that regardless of whether a traveler is a millennial or not, what interests them is the same. For example, the top two preferred travel activities are seeking out nature or scenery (67 per cent for millennials vs. 72 per cent for non-Millennials), and food and dining (67 per cent for millennials vs. 70 per cent for non-Millennials).

People of the millennial mindset often live a fast-paced and demanding lifestyle, and as such, expect everything at their fingertips. Mix this with the desire to have unique, shareable experiences and we will see a rise in demand for new types of travel, delivered seamlessly.

OPPO Malaysia has recently introduced the extraordinary OPPO F5 6GB in two colours variants, which are black and red. Priced at RM 1,698, OPPO F5 6GB in red and black variants will be officially started selling from 16^th December 2017. The device sports a higher 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM configuration for a smoother gaming, switching between apps, storage and all-round operating experience that O-fans can enjoy. With the higher RAM, users can store a lot of natural selfies, music and files while experience a smoother and faster speed between switching applications. The device also comes with an Octa-core processor which provides a higher performance speed that can provide best gaming experience to the user.

Combined with the black front, the elegant shades of red or black chassis surely give a classy and fashionable feel to the device. Featuring 20MP that paired with f/2.0 aperture and the A.I. Beauty Recognition Technology, users can easily capture natural selfies at anytime and anywhere.

For more information, kindly refer to:-

OPPO Official Website: https://www.oppo.com/my/index.html

OPPO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malaysiaoppo/

Disenaraikan sebagai  perkhidmatan penstriman video tempatan nombor satu dan terbesar di Malaysia dengan lebih 7.4 juta pengguna, tonton mengorak langkah ekstra dengan menganjurkan acara Parti #RatedXtra di Zouk, Kuala Lumpur.

Lebih dari 300 barisan bintang ternama, kenamaan, pengamal media dan selebriti media sosial hadir ke acara hari ini. Sesuai dengan tema ‘Alter Ego’, para tetamu hadir dalam penggayaan fesyen terbaik menyerikan acara gilang-gemilang ini.Acara telah dimeriahkan dengan persembahan memukau termasuk beberapa pengumuman istimewa oleh Ben Jern Loh, Pengurus Besar, tonton. Dihoskan oleh Hafiz Hatim (penyampai radio Fly FM) dan Zooey (hos Pop Bytes).

Parti #RatedXtra turut menampilkan wajah tonton iaitu Ayda Jebat, Redza Rosli dan ThomasJack (penyanyi sensasi YouTube Malaysia); selain barisan pelakon utama drama bersiri popular Titian Cinta iaitu Farah Nabilah dan Daler Yusuf serta JinnyBoy dan Reuben, sensasi YouTube popular Malaysia. Turut hadir, wakil dari The Ming Thing.

Pelanggan VIP kini menikmati potongan diskaun 50% untuk SEUMUR HIDUP menerusi langganan pakej Superhero di aplikasi tonton sebelum promosi berakhir pada 31 Disember 2017. Pelanggan boleh melanggan menerusi aplikasi tonton di laman web tonton.com.my.

Pengalaman tontonan di rumah anda

Bagi menjadikan pengalaman tontonan lebih menarik dan capaian meluas di skrin besar, tonton kini boleh diakses di platform SMART TV (model terkini LG, Samsung dan Panasonic) dan modem OTT Android (untuk kesemua TV yang menyokong sistem Android termasuk SMART TV yang menyokong sistem operasi Android TV) bermula Januari 2018.

Tontonan Sosial

tonton adalah perkhidmatan penstriman video OTT ulung di rantau ini yang bakal memperkenalkan teknologi Camment pada suku pertama tahun 2018. Pengenalan teknologi Camment di tonton membolehkan interaksi sembang sosial sehingga ke 6 pengguna pada satu-satu masa selain ciri pengesan suara di dalam sistem memacu capaian terhadap pemasaran bisnes pintar.

Teknologi yang menyokong pemasaran sosial pintar, membolehkan jenama bekerjasama dengan platform untuk pengiklanan kandungan yang relevan berdasarkan interaksi yang dibuat antara pengguna menerusi fungsi pengesan suara.

HP Malaysia today debuts new innovation to its premium consumer line-up with the next generation HP Spectre 13 laptop. The new product features latest generation processors, longer battery life and brilliant displays in sleeker, more angular designs. HP Spectre 13 seize to amaze its’ market in-line with HP’s fuel for growth in the premium PC market.

The second generation Spectre 13 – now the world’s thinnest touch laptop1 – empowers users to work without constraints and enjoy entertainment with a FHD display and louder audio in a sophisticated device powered by 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processors quad-core device2.

“HP continues to create and reinvent experiences that seeks to enhance consumer’s journey in redefining the premium PC segment. With the new HP Spectre 13, it is more than just an upgrade in hardware performance but a key to unlock limitless opportunity ranging from creativity to productivity,” said Kym Lim, Managing Director, HP Malaysia.

The amazingly thin HP Spectre 13 does not compromise on premium features such as FHD displays, thin bezels and performance. Specific features include:

• • Premium contoured design: Built from CNC aluminum and carbon fiber, it is offered in Ceramic White with Pale Gold polished accents or Dark Ash Silver with Copper polished accents featuring micro-edge bezels with Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT displays in up to FHD display.
• • Sensory experience: Speakers are placed above the full-size edge-to-edge backlit keyboard for clear and crisp sound and a comfortable typing experience.
• • Built for productivity: Fast performance with the latest 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 processors2, store content with room to spare with up to 512GB PCIe SSD5, and multitask with speed with memory up to 8 GB LPDDR3.
• • More battery power per millimeter: Up to 11.5 hours of battery life3 and charging from zero percent battery life to 50 percent on a 30 minute charge with HP Fast Charge technology4.

For more information on the HP Spectre 13 laptop visit here.

The HP Spectre 13 Laptop retails from RM 5,899 is currently available in Malaysia.

“Soffiya Ariffin disahkan mengidap kanser ovari, terlalu sibuk dengan tugasan sehingga mengabaikan kesihatan dan keluarganya.”

Jalan cerita ini di lihat dapat memberi motivasi dan kesedaran kepada para wanita tentang pentingnya untuk kita tidak lupa akan tanggungjawab kepada diri kita serta keluarga kita. Perkara ini amat bertepatan dengan misi dan visi Kelab Wanita lkon Malaysia dimana kami memperkasakan wanita, memantapkan ekonomi mereka, memupuk kebajikan kekeluargaan dan menitikberatkan amalan sihat dikalangan wanita Malaysia.

Kelab Wanita lkon Malaysia menyahut seruan kerajaan untuk memperkasakan wanita di Malaysia bersempena dengan ’Tahun Memperkasa Wanita 2018’. Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat dibawah Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita menjadi rakan strategik Kelab Wanita lkon Malaysia untuk aktiviti-aktiviti program Kelab Wanita lkon Malaysia untuk tahun 2018. Diantaranya adalah Tayangan Amal Filem TAKDIR, Larian #2GetHer Run 2018 yang akan diadakan pada bulan March sempena Hari Wanita Sedunia, Pencarian Wanita lkon Negeri dan akhirnya Anugerah Wanita lkon Malaysia.

Dengan slogan “2GetHer – Awareness”, tayangan filem TAKDIR ini dilihat akan dapat membantu memperkasakan wanita di dalam komponen utama yang di fokuskan iaitu wanita, kesihatan, keselamatan, ekonomi dan budaya.

Filem “TAKDIR” adalah sebuah filem yang lebih menjurus kepada Kasih Sayang dan penyatuan keluarga. Pembangunan sebuah keluarga yang penuh kasih sayang di terapkan peranan suami terhadap isteri bagi memberi keyakinan kepada isteri yang sedang melawan kanser ovari adalah sebahagian dalam realiti kehidupan. Perlu adanya kekuatan dalaman seseorang wanita untuk melawan kanser tanpa ada rasa takut tentang risiko yang bakal dihadapi.

Mesej filem ini mengupas kasih sayang di dalam sesebuah perkahwinan yang uji dengan permasalahan hidup. Sanggupkah seorang suami melihat penderitaan isterinya dan tanggungjawab seorang suami memastikan rumahtangganya terus kekal bahagia walaupun pelbagai dugaan yang harus dilalui.

Kesedaran kepada isteri-isteri yang berkerjaya agar jangan abaikan rumahtangga demi mengejar kerjaya dan cita-cita. Memandangkan kehidupan sekarang ini, banyak berlaku keruntuhan rumahtangga dan kepincangan keluarga.

“TAKDIR” bakal dilihat akan menggalas dan menggambarkan tentang realiti perjalanan kehidupan sesebuah institusi kekeluargaan. la bukanlah mengenai sebesar mana dan sehebat mana filem ini digarap,tetapi bagaimana cerita ini dapat dikongsi, jiwa, rohani serta nilai-nilai kehidupan. Menghargai dan dihargai. Oleh sebab itu, filem ini diharap agar lebih di pandang serius dan bukan hanya hiburan semata.

Sinopsis

Cerita ini mengisahkan pakar motivasi yang terkenal Soffiya Ariffin yang hidUp bahgia disamping suaminya Aziz Azizul. Disebabkan kesibukan karier masing-masing mereka hanya dikurniakan anak tunggal, Shasha dalam usia perkahwinan mereka 18 tahun. Sikap bertolak ansur Aziz dalam rumahtangga tidak merasakan kekurangan keluarga mereka selama ini.Tetapi setelah Shasha melanjutkan pelajaran ke Jerman barulah Aziz meminta Soffiya hamil semula.

Bagaimanapun impian mereka musnah apabila Soffiya menghadapi masalah kesihatan dan takut menerima kenyataan yang dia tidak dapat memberikan Aziz seorang Iagi anak. Soffiya adalah seorang pakar motivasi yang dedikasi, dimana para wanita sering diberikan kaunseling oleh beliau.

Soffiya seorang kaunselor yang memberi semangat pada wanita yang bermasalah, tetapi beliau sendiri tidak terbuka untuk menceritakan masalahnya, lebih-lebih Iagi dengan suaminya Aziz. Ketika Soffiya disahkan mengidap kanser Ovari. Soffiya mengalami dilema apabila Doktor menasihatkan membuang ovari sebagai alternatif awal bagi menyelamatkaan kanser dari terus merebak.

Soffiya amat takut ditinggalkan Aziz dan terlalu memikirkan masa depan keluarganya kerana dia tidak pasti yang dia akan terselamat daripada menjadi mangsa kanser. Tetapi Aziz seorang suami yang benar-benar menyayangi Soffiya dan Aziz memberikan sokongan dan bantuan yang penuh untuk Soffiya melawan penyakitnya.

lni membuatkan Soffiya sedar akan keikhlasan Aziz mencintainya sedangkan Soffiya sering mecurigai Aziz akan berubah kasih apabila emosinya cemburu dengan pekerja Aziz iaitu Alina yang jauh lebih muda daripada Soffiya. Begitu juga Shasha yang salah sangka akan kemesraan Aziz dengan AlinaDemi menjaga hati kedua-dua wanita dalam hidupnya, Aziz teIah memberhentikan Alina. Soffiya berjaya menjalani pembedahan dan Aziz pula mengalami kemalangan. Setelah itu Soffiya takut dia akan pergi meninggalkan Aziz, beliau mula menghabiskan masa dengan suami dan anaknya. Dalam pada itu, Soffiya masih Iemah kerana menjalani rawatan tetapi semangatnya terus kuat dengan sokongan Aziz.

Takdir itu adalah ketentuan dalam hidup Soffiya Ariffin. Apakah beliau akan bertahan melawan penyakit sekaligus memastikan rumahtangganya juga bertahan dengan cinta dan pergorbanan suaminya Aziz yang tidak berbelah bagi?

Skrip/Olahan/Lakonlayar: Shirin Hj Khuzaimi (fdam)

Penerbit Executive: Rousing Muses Sdn. Bhd.
Penerbit: ROUSING MUSES PICTURES. SDN. BHD.
Pengarah: Shirin Hj. Khuzaimi
Idea Asal: Bariah Ishak
Skrip: Shirin Hj Khuzaimi
Pengarah Fotografi: Suhaimi Kama! Anang
Penyunting: Hanif Jhon
Muzik/Scoring: Belle Fatah/Kabbil Raaj
Jurutera bunyi: Kabbil Raaj
Pelakon: Elizad Saifuddin Riezman Khuzaimi, Elisha Sandha, Keena Mentor.
Pelakon undangan khas: Connie Norlida Ahmad, Marissa Yasmin, Edika Yussof, lsma Daniel.
Pelakon Tambahan: Ally Marisha & Qya Hasmy.
Penaja Bersama: Etihad Airways,Triways Travel & Tours,Naza World,Colombia Hospital & Karya Bara Cafe

INFO “TAYANGAN AMAL FILEM TAKDIR”

Tiket untuk tayangan amal “TAKDIR” boleh didapati di:-
i)  Rousing Muses Pictures Sdn. Bhd. Alamat : 2-21, Perdana The Place,
No.1, Jalan PJU 8/56, Bandar Damansara Perdana, 47820, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel : 03-77323937
Email : info.rousingmusespictures@gmail.com Tarikh Tayangan: 28 Febuari 2018

Harga : RM150 & RM200

Tayangan ini mendapat sokongan daripada KEMENTERIAN PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT.

‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ merupakan sebuah blog video (vlog) bersiri yang memaparkan klip-klip eksklusif kehidupan harian Jihan Muse dan pasangan, Ungku Hariz sepanjang tempoh kehamilan sulung Jihan sehingga selepas beliau bersalin menerusi rakaman yang dilakukan sendiri oleh pasangan ini.

Diari Hamil Jihan Muse di Ruang Digital dan Kaca Televisyen ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ papar kehidupan harian Jihan Muse dan Ungku Hariz meniti detik kelahiran bayi sulung mereka

• ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ yang berkonsepkan vlog ini dizahirkan sebanyak 30 episod dan berdurasi selama 5 hingga 10 minit bagi setiap siaran. Sebanyak dua episod akan disiarkan pada setiap minggu.

• • ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ akan disiarkan di YouTube MeleTOP (MeleTOP) terlebih dahulu diikuti dengan siaran di televisyen menerusi Astro Ria (saluran 104) dan Ria HD (saluran 123).

• • Rakaman vlog yang dibuat sendiri oleh Jihan dan Ungku Hariz tanpa sebarang skrip ini bermula sejak kandungan Jihan berusia 31 minggu sehingga selepas Jihan bersalin.
• Antara klip yang terkandung dalam ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ termasuklah:

• (1) Lawatan Jihan dan suami ke klinik untuk rutin pemeriksaan kandungan;
• (2) Fasa mengidam yang dilalui Jihan;
• (3) Diet dan senaman yang diamalkan sepanjang tempoh kehamilan;
• (4) Aktiviti seni serta perubahan fizikal yang dialami Jihan semasa mengandung;
• (5) Persiapan barangan bayi, sehinggalah ke detik Jihan melahirkan bayinya, menjalani pantang dan seterusnya di sekitar majlis cukur jambul cahaya mata sulung pasangan ini
• 

• • Beberapa kenalan selebriti rapat Jihan turut membuat penampilan istimewa dalam vlog ini seperti Rozita Che Wan, Nabil Ahmad dan Liza Hanim.

• Pada setiap penghujung siaran, terdapat fakta menarik mengenai kehamilan yang boleh dijadikan panduan khususnya buat mereka yang bakal bergelar ibu bapa.
• Minuman khusus untuk perencanaan dan masa kehamilan, Anmum Materna merupakan penaja rasmi ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’. Turut hadir selaku penaja rasmi adalah Thermos, pengeluar terkemuka produk pengguna yang bersifat vakum dan penebat haba.

Vlog ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ akan dimuatnaik di laman Youtube MeleTOP pada setiap hari Khamis dan Jumaat mulai 7 Disember 2017, jam 9.00 malam.

Manakala, bagi siaran di kaca televisyen, ‘Hi Mommy Jihan!’ boleh ditonton pada setiap hari Isnin dan Selasa mulai 11 Disember 2017 jam 10.55 malam di Astro Ria (saluran 104) dan siaran serentak di Ria HD (saluran 123). Vlog istimewa ini turut boleh dinikmati melalui platform digital; Astro GO dan eBu.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is delighted to be named World’s Best New Resort during the World Travel Awards and World’s Best New Resort Spa during the World Spa Awards, hosted concurrently at the hotel on 10 December 2017. This event was not only a moment of celebration for the hotel, but also a showcase of both the best of Vietnamese hospitality and the global spa and wellness industry.

As the proud host of these prestigious and internationally recognized event, JW Marriott Phu Quoc welcomed over 250 esteemed spa, hospitality, and tourism leaders from across the globe. The event comprising dual Award Ceremonies is among the most important dates in the industry’s calendar year. It was also the largest and most monumental event JW Marriott Phu Quoc has organized since opening. Still in its first year of operations, the resort embraced the privilege of hosting this unprecedented event, and proudly demonstrated to the industry elite JW Marriott’s signature luxury hospitality on the beautiful, fantastical island of Phu Quoc.

“We are extremely proud to receive such meaningful awards, as well as to host both the 24th annual World Travel Awards Grand Final and the 3rd annual World Spa Awards at the incredible JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay,” says Ty Collins, General Manager at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. “It was a great honor to have been a part of this celebration with hospitality leaders all over the globe, and I would like to extend our deepest gratitude on behalf of my team to guests who have supported us, and recognized our efforts in creating unique, enriching experiences.”

Enviably situated on the pristine island of Phu Quoc – a lush, hidden paradise off the southern coast of Vietnam – JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay transports guests to a bygone era of the early 20th century. Bill Bensley’s whimsical design of a mythical academy of Lamarck University offers travelers a world of fantasies combined with JW Marriott’s intuitive services with authentic details evident throughout the property. Featuring untouched beaches and idyllic sunsets, Phu Quoc is an emerging destination, with direct flights now available between the island and regional gateway cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Guangzhou.

The standout at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is undoubtedly the resort’s flagship spa, Chanterelle – Spa by JW, which offers an unconventional guest journey in an imaginative space, with a unique mushroom theme, referencing Alice in Wonderland. Chanterelle – Spa by JW presents an exclusive range of holistic and locally-inspired therapies based on the four pillars of calm, indulge, invigorate, and renew. The treatments are personalized down to the minute detail, allowing guests to craft their own wellness journey. The spa boasts a VIP treatment room with its own luxurious bath, sauna and steam room, seven treatment rooms and one VIP treatment room, two reflexology rooms, two express treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room and a beauty salon.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, the World Travel Awards covers the

globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to honor and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Family vacations are fun, memorable, rewarding, and a wonderful way to strengthen family bonds. Travelling also exposes your children to the world, encouraging them to embrace diverse cultures and appreciate the beauty of mother nature.

Western Australia (WA) has all the ingredients to make your family holiday one to remember – adorable dolphins, friendly farm animals, stunning wildlife parks, white sandy beaches and more! Whether you plan to travel with your darling infants, high-energy toddlers, or even teenagers, the perfect family getaway awaits you in WA!

Here are nine reasons why WA is the ideal destination for your next holiday.

1.Play with the friendly dolphins

One of the world’s top destinations for memorable and close encounters with these intelligent mammals, WA is a must-visit place for families and nature lovers alike.

At Monkey Mia, bottlenose dolphins visit the beautiful shores daily to interact with beach-goers, so dip your toes in the shimmering waters and grab the opportunity to help handfeed the dolphins under the supervision of park rangers. Remember to catch an early start, because feeding times are between 7:45am and 12:00 noon!

If you happen to be in the South West region, a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury is certainly worth your time. Explore the Digital Dolphinarium and learn everything about dolphins when they approach the shore in warmer months, or go on the Dolphin Eco Cruise to meet these gentle creatures.

2.Discover amazing national parks

Measuring over 2.5 million square kilometres, WA has over half of the nation’s biodiversity hotspots and several national parks featuring a multitude of flora and fauna. Home to iconic Australian animals like quokkas and kangaroos, WA is certainly the best place for your children to learn more about and be closer to nature’s best.

Perth Hills’ John Forest National Park, a mere 45 minutes’ drive east of the city centre, is a hub of excitement. Cycle along the Railway Reserves Heritage trail, bushwalk, or take scenic drives where your family will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city and the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitats.

Located in the Coral Coast region and well-known for its towering limestone spires, up to five metres tall and formed over millennia in the golden sands of the Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park makes for the perfect family day trip from Perth. You can opt for a leisurely stroll through the desert on its 1.2 kilometre walking trail, or breeze through its 4 kilometre driving one! Be sure to also visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre for more about the park’s fascinating geology and natural history.

WA’s impressive list of national parks also includes Cape Le Grand National Park (Golden Outback), D’Entrecasteaux National Park (South West), Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park (South West), Rottnest Island (Perth & Surrounds), William Bay National Park (Denmark, South West) and Walpole-Nornalup National Park (South West).

3.Pick fruit straight from the orchard

Why not spend some family time picking fruit and vegetables in one of the many orchards in WA? Different kinds of produce have different harvesting seasons, so do ask the friendly staff at a visitor centre for updated information on the produce currently in season and which orchards allow you to pick your own.

Head over to the orchards located in Perth Hills, where the fresh country air and the fragrance of various blossoms will provide the perfect atmosphere for you and your family to pick fruit and vegetables right off the trees, or even enjoy a picnic outdoors together! The region is also home to many markets and cafés that make the most of these crops.

Travel south from Perth to WA’s apple capital, Donnybrook, to discover an abundance of the freshest local produce, such as apples, oranges and stone fruit. This charming South West town is a blissful countryside break, where its visitors can marvel at the display of apples and cherry blossoms in spring.

4.Experience farmstays with adorable farm animals

Take the kids, escape the hustle of the city, and experience country life on a homestead, cattle station, or farm – a priceless and culturally-rich rural dimension to your stay. WA offers a myriad of country-living options, from Bullara Station and the Kimberley cattle country to the rolling pastures of South West.

On these farmstays and homesteads, you will be invited to do as the locals do – feed the livestock, collect eggs, milk cows, pet goats, and take leisurely bushwalks in the misty morning sunshine. Your young ones will certainly be thrilled by the endearing farm animals, and can even try horse of pony riding in certain locations!

Farm charm awaits you at all of WA’s many local farms, many of which are close to and easily accessible from the city centre, such as Bindoons Windmill Farm (Perth & Surrounds), Cinnamon Coloureds Farmstay (South West), Kerriley Park Forest and Farmstay (South West), Mary’s Farm Cottages (Golden Outback) and Settlers Rest Farmstay Swan Valley (Perth & Surrounds).

5.Family fun at breathtaking beaches

If your family prefers the relaxing, wide expanses of the sea, then WA’s beaches are the perfect fit for you! Crystal-clear waters, pristine white sand, and abundant sunshine can be found all year round on WA’s extensive stretch of coast – a total of 12,500 kilometres of coastline. Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach even has smooth terraced lawns and majestic Norfolk pines, perfect for a laidback afternoon with the family.

Frolic in the sand or indulge in water-based activities like swimming, snorkelling and surfing at more of WA’s immaculate beaches – Bathers Beach (Fremantle, Perth), Hameline Bay (South West), Middleton Beach (Albany, South West), Scarborough Beach (Perth), and Shell Bay (Coral Coast).

6.Meet the native animals of Western Australia

Rich in biodiversity, WA boasts a plethora of native Australian mammals, some of which are even unique to the state! One of these animals are the renowned quokka of Rottnest Island; part of the kangaroo and wallaby families, the quokka has been dubbed the world’s happiest animal due to their approachable and gentle nature. They are classified as a vulnerable species and have been almost completely wiped out on the mainland, so where better than the sanctuaries of WA to meet and greet these rare gems?

Caversham Wildlife Park in Swan Valley, a mere 30 minutes’ drive from Perth, is one of the largest collections of WA’s cutest inhabitants. Feed the kangaroos, cuddle with koalas, gawk at wombats, and even listen to keeper talks by the park rangers on the weekends.

7.Streets, shopping, and sightseeing

WA is not only a hub of adventure and new experiences, but is also excellent for families to admire the sights and experience street culture. With its outdoor markets, alfresco dining, and an active waterfront, Elizabeth Quay is the perfect playground for both adults and children to enjoy a casual day out. Every weekend, Fremantle Market also hosts approximately 150 traders in a beautiful bohemian building, selling food, homeware, art products, jewellery, toys, clothing for all ages, and more! Meanwhile, those in search of quainter finds like curiosities and vintage items will be spoilt for choice at Leederville and the Inglewood Night Market.

8.Scrumptious delights straight to your table

Blessed with a lengthy coastline, diverse soil types, and sunny climate all-year long, WA yields a profusion of fresh produce, seafood, and highly-prized black truffles – a gourmet’s delight! No matter which town or city you find yourself in, there are ample family-friendly eateries that serve up a variety of fresh food.

Perth alone will leave you thoroughly satiated – the city has more restaurants per capita than any other capital city in Australia, many of which have received accolades for their commitment to excellence in food.

9.Stay at family-friendly accommodation

Be it a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, WA offers plenty of family- and children-family accommodation for you to choose from. Most of them are strategically located in close proximity to eateries, shopping outlets, and facilities that will keep the entire family entertained. Alternatively, there are plenty of self-catering accommodation options where you can be hands-on with your food and cook your own meals!

The next time planning a family holiday is in the works, include Western Australia as one of your desired destinations to experience extraordinary adventure and family fun time, which will leave remarkable memories for you to cherish!

Be sure to check out one of these accommodation options when planning your family holiday – All Suites Perth, Country Comfort Inter City Perth, Four Points by Sheraton Perth and Smiths Beach Resort.

For more information about Western Australia, kindly visit http://www.westernaustralia.com or its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryWesternAustralia.

Ocean Park Hong Kong Christmas Sensation will kick off on 11 December 2017 with Hong Kong’s first-ever virtual reality (VR) rollercoaster, Mine Train presented by Samsung Gear VR, and several exciting VR game zones. A local Christmas market, Ocean Park x Pinkoi Festive Marketplace, will also be available to offer all kinds of accessories and homeware produced by Hong Kong designers. Together with Santa’s Cottage, Garden of Romance and parkwide festive decorations, guests can experience a complete, exciting and romantic Christmas in Ocean Park. During Christmas Sensation, the Park will offer free night-time admission to Waterfront Plaza and Lakeside Chill from 7p.m. to 11p.m. for 10 days from 23 December 2017 to 1 January 2018, while guests can also indulge in the delicious feasts available at Neptune’s Restaurant.

Leo Kung, Chairman of Ocean Park, said, “In the past four decades, Ocean Park has always tried to stay ahead in the market by embracing inventiveness to enhance our guests’ experience. We never cease to amuse our guests with innovation and creativity, which has been the cornerstone of our success. This time, we are partnering with Samsung Electronics to introduce the hottest virtual reality technology to our popular Mine Train, transforming the ride into Hong Kong’s first-ever virtual reality rollercoaster ride and boosting its excitement level to new heights. At the same time, we are launching free night-time admission to Waterfront Plaza and Lakeside Chill during Christmas Sensation and New Year for the first time, as a token of appreciation for our guests’ support, and to mark the perfect ending of the year-long celebration of our 40th anniversary.”

Flying through a virtual world on a real rollercoaster on enhanced Mine Train

Hong Kong’s first-ever VR rollercoaster, Mine Train presented by Samsung Gear VR, will be launched during Christmas Sensation. The amusement ride is upgraded by way of adapting VR technology to a rollercoaster, offering guests a brand new stunning VR experience that synchronises virtual movement to real motion. After putting on special VR headsets with attached Samsung GALAXY smartphones on the Mine Train, guests will begin their ultra-realistic journey in the Amazon rainforest through the vivid screen of GALAXY smartphones. Equipped with a 101-degree field of view, Gear VR allows guests to enjoy the 360-degree video in first person view. Guests can come face to face with amazing animals living in the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, while experiencing the sensations of the highest speed at 71 kilometers per hour and gravitation forces as the train rockets up and down along the tracks. Guests can also get to know more about the habitats of many unique species and learn about the importance of conservation.

Yiyin Zhao, Vice President and Head of IT and Mobile Communication Business of Samsung Electronics H.K. Co. Ltd., said, “As a global leader in technology, Samsung hopes to make use of advanced technology to work with different industries and partners to provide customers a more high-tech experience. We are proud to partner with Ocean Park to present the first-ever virtual reality rollercoaster in Hong Kong, providing guests a more thrilling ride experience.”

In addition to the VR rollercoaster, more adrenaline-pumping VR experiences will be on offer during Christmas Sensation in two VR game zones. Guests can enter a life-like shootout with friends at the VR Arcade, or challenge their speed and dexterity riding hyper-speed bikes, completing missions in mid-air, and even go boxing at the VR Challenges Zone. Thrill Mountain also houses a seasonal VR cinema where guests can immerse themselves beneath the rainforest canopy in a 360-degree view in the VR Forest Adventure.

Visit romantic Christmas attractions with free night-time admission

During Christmas Sensation, the Park will partner with Pinkoi.com, Asia’s leading online marketplace for designers, to present Ocean Park x Pinkoi Festive Marketplace for the first time from 16 December 2017 onwards. All kinds of original accessories and homeware by Hong Kong designers will be available, such as illustrated goods by popular illustrator “PeiChung Illustration”, products that showcase Hong Kong culture designed by “Dogswork”, 3D puzzles of nostalgic Hong Kong-style diners designed by “Sweet Hong Kong”, unique tie dye collections by local brand “Giants Tie Dye”, leather accessories made by “JK Collection” and “Flame”, and more original designs.

Together with artificial snow, the lighting ceremony of the Park’s signature 40-foot Christmas Tree every evening, Santa’s Cottage and Garden of Romance, Waterfront Plaza will be transformed into a romantic Christmas village for families and couples to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The Penguin Dress-up Delights parade will also be presented at the Polar Adventure, starring a large adorable penguin inflatable accompanied by bouncing penguin performers in fantastic costumes and performing amazing stunts, while Whiskers & friends will also turn up in Christmas attire for photos with guests.

Christmas Sensation will be held from 11 December 2017 to 1 January 2018. Apart from the free night-time admission to Waterfront Plaza and Lakeside Chill from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for 10 days from 23 December 2017 to 1 January 2018, during which guests can experience the festive atmosphere at Ocean Park x Pinkoi Festive Marketplace, Santa’s Cottage and Garden of Romance, Neptune’s Restaurant will also launch a Christmas feast packaged with free admission after 7 p.m. on 10 selected dates on 10, 17, 23 to 29 and 31 December 2017, for guests to enjoy more Christmas fun with friends and family. At the same time, three types of gift vouchers, “SmartFun Annual Pass”, “Get Closer to the Animals” and “VIP Premium Tour”, will be available for guests to surprise friends and loved ones. Guests can enjoy discounts when purchasing vouchers from 4 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 at the Ticketing Office near the Ocean Park Main Entrance, or via the Park’s official website. More details are available on www.oceanpark.com.hk.

Fans made their way to KL Live on 10th December 2017 to catch their favourite white-helmet-masked DJ, Marshmello. Fans started lining up as early as 5pm at the venue in anticipation of the DJ’s second show in Kuala Lumpur.

Opening the show and kicking off the night on the right note was South East Asia’s fastest-growing EDM queen, EVA T. Well-known in the region for her upbeat and contemporary sounds of electro house, EVA T truly set the tone for the night. As the audience warmed up, home-grown dubstep duo DRPX took over the stage and served a memorable set that only built up the excitement even more. When the time finally came for Marshmello, the crowd was ready and welcomed the DJ onstage, who was decked in an all-white outfit from helmet to toe, with raucous applause.

To the delight of the audience, Marshmello started off his set nothing short than expected. The space came to life as the crowd sang and danced along to his

collaboration hit song with pop superstar, Selena Gomez titled ‘Wolves’ as well as the hit song “Alone”. As the night continued, Marshmello kept the energy levels high throughout his set, which only left the crowd wanting more.

The loveable DJ’s helmet lit up with colourful LED lights as he entertained fans, mirroring the fun and enthusiastic ambiance in KL Live that last night Marshmello, leaving the crowd buzzing with energy even after a whole night of dancing.

TWP Presents Marshmello was organised by the Livescape Group in collaboration with KC&Friends. It is supported by ALIFE, Asahi (Official Beer), Martell NCF (Official Liquor Partner), Hitz FM (Official Radio Partner), Circle Talent Agency (Artist Management), GoCar (Official Car Sharing), Mayflower (Official Online Travel Portal), and Mudah.my (Official Ticketing Platform). For more information and updates on upcoming shows, visit the Livescape website at www.livescapegroup.com or follow them on www.facebook.com/livescapeasia or at the Instagram handle @livescapeasia.