To celebrate its 35th anniversary, a travel firm donated RM500,000 to nine schools and charitable organisations.
Eight beneficiaries received mock cheques of RM50,000 each during the Ice Holidays Sdn Bhd gala, held at the Andaman Grand Ballroom in Bukit Bintang City Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
The recipients included the Nalanda Education Centre, SJK(C) Malim board of governors, Pin Hwa High School, SJKC Pin Hwa 1 and SJKC Pin Hwa 2 in Klang, Rumah Victory, Persatuan Penganut San Bao Miao and Persatuan Penganut Dewa Tiong Hoe Keang.
Meanwhile, Tung Shin Hospital received two donations worth RM100,000 towards its new hospital building fund and the purchase of medical equipment.
The coral anniversary event, which also celebrated the Chinese New Year, brought together about 860 industry representatives from across Malaysia and the region.
Guests included travel trade partners, international and regional airlines, national tourism organisations, cruise brands, media outlets, shopping malls, commercial partners, industry associations, and financial and corporate representatives.
The evening was highlighted by special guest appearances and performances, including an electrifying live set by singer Shila Amzah.
Live bands also serenaded the crowd with various hit songs.
Ambassadors for the company’s flagship brand, Golden Destinations (GD), entertainment hosts Jack Lim, Owen Yap and Jason Yeoh were in attendance alongside industry peers.
Ice Holidays managing director Mita Lim said 35 years in business was a marker of continued evolution.
“GD currently engages in B2B (Business-to-Business) collaborations with over 800 travel agencies holding outbound licences.
“This creates a unique tourism ecosystem that is a first-of-its-kind model in Asia,” he said.
“GD will leverage technology to aggressively expand the market.
“This includes launching a dedicated application to help travel agencies recruit freelancers, such as those working in insurance, real estate, and direct sales, to serve as ‘GD Travel Consultants’ to tap into new customer segments,” he said.
He also announced that GD was expected to list on the Malaysian stock market this year.
“I am confident in the upcoming IPO, and that the Year of the Horse will be a prosperous one for Golden Destinations,” he added.
In his opening speech, Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Chua Choon Hwa, who represented Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, emphasised that passion and professionalism were the cornerstones of successful tourism agencies.
He noted that these values were vital for creating unforgettable journeys and urged tourist guides to be proactive in resolving challenges faced by travellers to ensure a seamless experience.
At the event, guests participated in the traditional tossing of yee sang to welcome a prosperous year, as well as lucky draws that featured prizes such as cash vouchers, hotel stays and flight tickets.
