JOHOR BARU: A total of 76 sailors from countries like Australia, United States, Netherlands and Finland will be part of a welcoming committee for the Sail Malaysia Darwin-Langkawi Yacht Rally here.

They will also act as tourism ambassadors for the Malaysian Welcoming Centre.

Retired Australian actor Mark Jensen, who is part of the centre, felt that the marina at Danga Bay was among the best in Asia.

The 50-year-old skipper said the facilities there were of international standards.

“Johor is such a wonderful place as it has many beautiful locations here,” he said.

Jensen has been here with his wife since Oct 12.

“I am excited to be part of this team as it will be a good way to visit more sites,” he said of his participation in the sailing expedition that would take him to Lumut, Penang and Langkawi.

Retired Dutch orthodontist Nick de Graaf said he would be spending three months in the country to take part in the event.

The 61-year-old said Malaysias were friendly and hospitable.

He also commended on the facilities at the Danga Bay marina.

“Although some improvements need to be made including adding a few washrooms, overall I believe the marina is nice.”

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said more than 150 participants would be taking part in the three-day event beginning Oct 30.

“This event is the biggest initiative by Tourism Malaysia, the Johor Tourism Action Council and Iskandar Malaysia to promote the country to the international sailing community,” he said.

Hoo added that the event would feature a series of seminars and exhibitions by day and a food and music festival by night.

“We plan to make this a biannual event from this year.”

• Johor in RM80bil joint venture with Lim to build waterfront city
• Waterfront city will cover Danga Bay in the west and Tebrau in the east
• Bursa expects average daily trading value to hit RM1.6bil this year
• Foreigners buy a third of private homes in S'pore, M'sians 20% of it
• DRB-Hicom: No plans yet on future of Proton

• Beatle's ex-wife says Piers Morgan heard hacked call
• Gap narrows between Mexican presidency rivals
• US, China in talks on film spat ahead of Xi's visit

• Hafiz gives vintage display to stun Chong Wei
• Azizulhasni and Fatehah ride their way into the quarter-finals
• UniKL skipper Taufik suspended for hitting player with his stick
• Chandimal’s half-century boosts Sri Lanka
• Contador vows to pursue career despite doping ban

• Crane crash shocker
• 31-year-old woman held in drug raid
• Divest and let bumi firms run them, Khazanah and PNB told
• Timing a burning question
• Beatle's ex-wife says Piers Morgan heard hacked call
• A case of bringing your own water
• Trio face death over drug charge
• Put the fence behind bars, too
• Hinduism not against celebrating Valentine’s Day
• EPF not providing loans to individuals