By Nik Naizi Husin
Monday November 8, 2010
SOME two million Singaporeans visited Pahang last year and the state has targeted an additional one milllion visitors from the island republic this year.
Pahang Tourism, Arts, Heritage, Women's and Family Development Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif said he is optimistic that the target would be achieved.
The state tourism agencies, he said, have played their role in promoting Pahang to the world and there would be more efforts from them to boost the industry.
Welcome dance: Traditional dancers from the State Secretary Office, Kuantan, performing the "ulek Mayang" dance to welcome the Singapore travel agents and operators
Currently, Pahang's main attractions which including Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Bukit Fraser, Tioman Island, Taman Negara and National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah have been the catalysts for visitation from tourists all over the world.
"The activities comprised Sultan Ahmad Shah Tioman Eco-Challenge, Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge, Monsoon Madness of windsurfing and board surfing were among the attractions for Singaporeans to be in Pahang.
"We have to be aggressive in organising additional events in the future and at the same time, provide more facilities for tourists visiting Pahang,'' he said at a reception dinner in Singapore recently in conjunction with Pahang Tourism's roadshow.
In deep discussion: Shafik (right) has a discussion with Singapore's tour bus operator, Transtar Travel's executive director Sebastian Yap Chor Seng(middle) while Pahang's Government Tourism Agency for Bukit Fraser Development Corporation general manager Datuk Md Hanafiah Abdul Ttalib looks on.
The event was an annual roadshow held in the island republic with the participation from the tourism industry players since 1999.
Shafik Fauzan said records showed that as of last year, Singaporean tourists have spent some RM2bil in Pahang.
Such, he added, was a huge revenue for the state and the people of Pahang have benefitted much from Singapore.
Showing gratitude: Shafik fauzan Sharif(left) thanking Singapore's Tourism Malaysia director Zalizam Zakaria.
The roadshow was participated by teams of 19 travel agents, hoteliers and government agencies in a move to promote Pahang.
Access to Pahang from the Southern region, he said, has been improved for tourists.
"As an example, the government has provided another access to Cameron Highlands making it accessible via four points of entries - Simpang Pulai, Tapah, Gua Musang and Sungai Koyan (Lipis district).
"While air travel between Singapore and Kuantan has been revived and eight land routes connecting Kuala Lumpur with Kota Bahru was improved.
Joining in the fun: The Singapore travel agents and operators(in casual wear) are entertained by by the Pahang traditional dancers.
"To visit Bukit Fraser via Bentong is now being made easier with the upgrading of its roads and to scale the highest mountain in Peninsular - Gunung Tahan - could also be done via Merapoh, a second getaway to Taman Negara apart from its entries via Jerantut,'' Shafik Fauzan said.
He said the packaging of the various tourism products and destinations are now much easier what more with the fully completed the East Coast Highway from Karak (Bentong) to Kuantan (Bukit Goh and Gebeng exit points).
"The coastal road from Singapore to Kuantan via Kota Tinggi and Mersing was improved tremendously, thus improving the scuba driving business along the east coast," he said.
Shafik Fauzan said the East Coast Economic Region has identified potential new development areas for tourism products including Tasik Cini and Pantai Sepat which could be further upgraded in its tourism products.
"Soon, we will gazetting Frasers hill as a state park apart from the existing Endau-Rompin park, Krau Wildlife Reserve and Taman Negara," he said.
Shafik Fauzan added that while the state commended the travel agents in Singapore who played their role in bringing in tourists to Pahang, residents in the state too have to be ready to receive their overseas guests."
"We at all levels in Pahang have a role to receive the Singaporeans.
"Pahang has another point of attraction in tourism with traditional Malay houses and villages that are still intact and the homestay programmes would be a better idea to offer to Singaporeans," he said. --The StarMetro
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