Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Pahang moves to boost service for tourists

Pahang moves to boost service for tourists
By Simon Khoo
Wednesday February 25, 2009


JERANTUT: Pahang will continue to find ways to enhance the knowledge and skills of tourist guides and supervisors of freshwater sanctuaries in the state, says State Culture, Arts, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif.

Shafik Fauzan said that people in the two professions needed to be equipped with information on the environment and aquaculture so that they could inform visitors.

A recent initiative adopted by the state was to take them on site visits to Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu, he said.

“The participants in the visits were guides for places like Taman Negara, Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands and Merapoh.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Finding the right strategies for tourism industry

Finding the right strategies
By Cecilia Kok
Saturday February 21, 2009


This 2009 is definitely going to be a tough year for the tourism industry across the world as the worsening economic crisis causes long-haul visitors to stay home and regional travellers to cut short their trips to cut back on spending.

And bracing for the challenges ahead, most tourism authorities across the Asian region have already set their tourist-arrival targets lower for 2009.

For instance, Hong Kong is expecting a shortfall of 1.6% in tourist arrivals for 2009 compared with 29.5 million in 2008, while Singapore anticipates its tourist arrivals this year to fall between 9 and 9.5 million, compared with 10.1 million last year. For Thailand, where tourism is one of the pillar industries to the economy, the number of foreign visitors is expected to fall from 14.24 million last year to 14 million in 2009.

In line with the regional trend, Malaysia’s tourist-arrival target of 20 million for 2009 represents a decline of 9% from the numbers achieved last year.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Experts called in to study Camerons Highlands apartments

Experts called in to study Camerons Highlands apartments
By Jaspal Singh
17-02-2009


CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Two independent consultants will study the structure of three blocks of apartments in Kuala Terla which were evacuated last Friday, after wide cracks appeared on one of the blocks.

The Cameron Highlands District Council has asked them to prepare reports detailing the reasons behind the weakening of the structure and the level of strength of the soil in the affected area.

Council president Datuk Mohd Noor Abdul Rani said the consultants, a structural specialist and the other with expertise in the geotechnical field, had been asked to submit reports to the local authority in two weeks' time.

"The council takes this matter seriously, especially in view of the many hillside tragedies that have occurred elsewhere.

"We are taking immediate action to ascertain the factors that led to the wide cracks on the apartment block."

Sunday, February 08, 2009

It’ll be good to fly direct to Malaysia again

It’ll be good to fly direct to Malaysia again
Sunday February 8, 2009

I HAD the pleasure of visiting Malaysia for the first time recently. It was a most rewarding and eye-opening experience.

I couldn’t believe how clean and tidy your streets and fantastic freeways were. I haven’t seen cleaner highway restrooms anywhere.

The country also seemed to be thriving.

Visiting the Cameron Highlands was a memorable experience and a highlight of the trip. The staff at Strawberry Park Resort were very accommodating.

But the best part of Malaysia was that everywhere I went the local people were friendly, cheerful and always willing to help.

The only problem is that I live in the north west of Australia, in Broome. We had to come via Perth, an extra six hours flying time.

As I write, the Broome International Airport is trying to get an international carrier to fly in and out of Broome. If anyone from Malaysia Airlines or any other airline reads this, could you please help us get direct flights from Broome to Kuala Lumpur? I am sure it will be a very worthwhile exercise.

Sebastian Von Perger,
Broome, West Australia.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Hillside development governed by greed

Adnan: Hillside development governed by greed
By Simon Khoo
Thursday February 5, 2009


Kuantan: Lack of staff and equipment is hampering efforts by local councils to check hillside development, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

He said there were adequate rules and regulations to take offenders to court.

Precarious: File photo of a landslide at Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
“The problem is that Pahang is a huge state and the local councils lack staff to carry out enforcement activities. The root problem, however, is greed. Precarious: File photo of a landslide at Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

One-night stay at Genting for local cyclist who wins a stage

One-night stay at Genting for local cyclist who wins a stage
Wednesday February 4, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: National cyclists will be rewarded with a one-night stay at the Genting Hotel worth RM1,000 if they win any of the seven stages of the Tour of Langkawi (LTdL), which begins on Monday.

Resorts World Bhd (RWB) executive director Tan Sri Alwi Jantan said the incentive was to encourage the national cyclists to aim for greater heights.

“We believe that our riders are just as capable as the foreign cyclists and can win one of the seven stages,” said Alwi after handing over RWB’s RM1mil sponsorship, in cash and kind, to LTdl chief operating officer Datuk Naim Mohd for the seven-day Tour yesterday.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Dengue still prevalent

Dengue still prevalent
By Rosalina Mohamad
Tuesday February 3, 2009


KUANTAN: A total of 83 dengue cases have been reported in Pahang as of Jan 19, a slight increase compared to the 80 cases recorded in the same corresponding period last year.

Kuantan topped the list with 41 cases followed by Jerantut (10), Bera (six), five each in Temerloh and Maran, four each in Pekan and Raub, three each in Bentong and Rompin, two in Lipis and none in Cameron Highlands. [Yey! That's good. - Editor]

State health director Datuk Dr Rosnah Ismail said, to date, no deaths had been reported.