Award winning Travellers Choice members had some memorable encounters with royalty on a trip to Malaysia last month.
The first occurred in Kuala Lumpur when Travellers Choice Sales Development Manager Leith Poad took the opportunity to pat one of the two beautiful horses that stand sentinel outside the Malaysian King’s palace.
“Lots of people take pictures and pat the horses but it seems he didn’t like me because he bit me on the tummy.”
Leith Poad, Travellers Choice Sales Development Manager
“I smacked him on the nose, but as soon as I did it occurred to me that I might get in trouble, so I quickly looked up at the guard on duty to apologise. He didn’t move a muscle.”
Leith was with a group of 10 Travellers Choice members – all winners of the network’s annual Bronze Choice Awards – who visited Malaysia as guests of Viva! Holidays! and Malaysia Airlines.
As well as exploring Kuala Lumpur the group travelled to Penang, on Malaysia’s northwest coast, where their path once again crossed with nobility.
Visiting the Eastern & Oriental Hotel for high tea, the group discovered the elegant property had only recently hosted the Sultan of Brunei, who was in town for his cousin’s wedding.
Staff confided that the Sultan had spent tens of thousands of dollars during his one-night stay, including more than $3,000 on chocolates, which were hidden all around the $8,000-a-night Presidential Suite.
Other highlights of the Bronze Choice Award trip included a night-time visit to one of the largest firefly colonies in the world in Kampung Kuantan, and a journey on the new funicular train that takes visitors up to the top of Penang Hill.
Travellers Choice’s unique Choice Awards recognition program presents Gold, Silver and Bronze Choice Awards each year to 30 members (10 in each category), with recipients determined by their level of support for the group’s broad stable of preferred suppliers.
As well as taking part in exclusive educational tours, winners also receive access to exclusive sales incentives and service grants.