Travel cards for fun

8TV’s very own reality travel show will soon unfold before viewers who will get to travel around the peninsula with fellow citizens and celebrities. BIBI NURSHUHADA RAMLI writes.

SiNCE its inception in 2004, 8TV has offered a wide variety of television programmes ranging from local and international dramas to comedy and reality series.

For its latest, 8TV joins forces with Esso and Mobil and Tourism Malaysia to bring you Discover Smiles Zoom! Malaysia, a 12-episode travel programme with a difference.

Apart from showcasing Malaysia’s rich culture and exciting tourist spots, Discover Smiles Zoom! Malaysia will feature 24 two-person teams on a treasure hunt as they visit Peninsular Malaysia’s hot spots.

“This is a first for 8TV as it’s a reality show that also showcases tourism spots and cultural aspects that youths today would like to know about,” said 8TV general manager Lam Swee Kim in a press conference recently.

She added that thanks to Tourism Malaysia, Esso and Mobil, they were able to find fantastic locations and come up with interesting tasks for the contestants.

“Esso and Mobil are pleased to be able to help fellow Malaysians discover more about our country while offering the convenience and benefits of our Smiles loyalty card,” said Esso Malaysia Berhad director Faridah Ali.

Deputy Director-General of Marketing at Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Amiruddin Abu, hopes to get Malaysians out on the road, travelling around Malaysia and enjoying the food, culture and landscapes that have captured the hearts of so many foreign travellers.

After a round of auditions, 22 teams of two were selected to participate in the competition. Each week, two of the teams will be assigned a State and they will race to a selected destination.

Along the way, they will have to compete in challenges that will test their general knowledge on history and culture and also their treasure hunting skills.

The challenges are also based on what makes people smile, from acts of kindness to entertaining strangers, such as performing the dondang sayang and wayang kulit, making popiah skin and cracking open durians.

The teams will each be given Esso and Mobil’s Smiles cards, preloaded with points. They have to carefully plan the usage of the points, which they can use to redeem fuel, food and beverages.

Apart from these 22 teams, two teams of celebrity contestants will also be joining the fun. They are Alif Satar, Alvin Wong, Anith OIAM and Baki Zainal.

“They will be based in Kuala Lumpur. Yes, maybe they are familiar with the place but you’ll be surprised how it may all turn out,” said Lam.

The rules and concept of Discover Smiles Zoom! Malaysia may be similar to American reality series Amazing Race, but Lam explained that there are differences.

“Discover Smiles Zoom! Malaysia only covers Peninsular Malaysia and not other countries. Moreover, there will be a winner each week unlike the one ultimate winner in Amazing Race. Plus, the contestants will have to use their Smiles card in order to win.

“This is our first season, so if it is a big success, we will consider doing it in Sabah and Sarawak,” said Lam on why the show only covers Peninsular Malaysia.

Playing host is Aishah Sinclair, who claimed that she had learnt a lot from the travelling that she did for the show.

“Thanks to this show, I have been to almost every little kampung in all the states. I’ve eaten amazing dishes and so much durian, enough to last me three years,” she said with a smile.

Every winning group will be taking home RM3,000, 50,000 Smiles points and two bottles of four-litre Mobil 1 lubricant.

The runner -up will walk away with RM1,000, 30,000 Smiles points and two bottles of four-litre Super 2000 lubricant.

The Smiles points earned by the teams upon completion of each task will be donated to a chosen charity organisation.

• Discover Smiles Zoom! Malaysia airs beginning tonight at 9.30pm on 8TV.