Singapore to help boost eco-tourism in Johor

SINGAPORE, Jan 8 — Singapore is lending Malaysia its expertise in developing green reserves for eco-tourism.

The tourism agencies of both countries have started a joint feasibility study to look into how an attraction like Singapore's Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Kranji can be replicated across the Causeway.

The areas that Malaysia hopes to develop into tourism spots are all in Johor — Sungai Pulai, Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup.

All have been classified as Ramsar sites, a title granted by the Geneva-based Ramsar Convention Bureau to identify wetlands of international importance.

Johor's lush Sungai Pulai alone spans 9ha. Officially gazetted in 1923, it is the country's second-largest mangrove forest.

It sits at the mouth of a lowland tropical river basin, and is home to seagrass beds, intertidal mudflats and an inland freshwater riverine forest, which teem with animal life.

The joint feasibility study, expected to be completed this year, is the first such venture into the tourism sector.

It will identify appropriate activities for visitors and the kind of people likely to go there, as well as explore the adoption of a code of management practices.

The first mention of the collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia in this area came from Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan last year, when he gave an update on Singapore's involvement in Iskandar Malaysia, a project to develop southern Johor's economic corridor.

Collaborations between the two countries in this economic zone come under a joint ministerial committee.

Mah added that the two sides' environment agencies are also sharing expertise in areas such as river cleaning.

Malaysia's senior regional government officials have been quoted in the media as having said that the move to develop Sungai Pulai is in line with the plan to build a viable tourist hot spot there.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman told the New Straits Times: “Together with the rapid development in Iskandar Malaysia, the state aims to preserve its natural beauty and carry out sustainable development.”

When contacted, John Conceicao, director of strategic planning and innovation at the Singapore Tourism Board, said it was working with its Malaysian counterpart on developing joint marketing campaigns for the nature sites “to potentially increase tourism flows into and between Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore”.

Professor Leo Tan, director of special projects at the National University of Singapore, said that if the findings of the study are followed through and adopted, the area's vital eco-system could be preserved.

Pointing to Sungei Buloh here, he said that it had, with proper management, “morphed out of what was nothing more than a dilapidated prawn pond”.

He added: “The key for any country lies in optimising its resources in a rational and educated manner... to develop an appreciation and understanding of why we need to protect our biodiversity.” — The Straits Times


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Flu scare affecting Johor tourism

JOHOR BARU: The influenza A(H1N1) virus has come as a double whammy to the tourism industry that is still reeling from the effects of the global recession.

Tour groups in Singapore have cancelled plans for travel in June, which is a popular holiday period during the island republic’s school break.

Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said there was also a slowdown in bookings from countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“The industry has already seen a 40% slump in the past six months due to the economic uncertainties.

“We expect to see a drop in revenue as people hold back their travel plans because of the unpredictable situation of the pandemic, he said.

However, Leong said the real impact of the flu on tourism would only be felt in the next few months as those, who had paid in advance for their tours, would usually continue with their plans.

“Johor is particularly vulnerable as it is dependant on Singapore for the bulk of its tourist arrivals,” said Leong.

The last time the tourism industry was badly hit by a pandemic was during the SARS outbreak in 2003.

He said hotels had learnt from the SARS episode and were now prepared to separate and isolate their guests in special rooms if any showed signs of illness.

“It is worrying as the livelihood of those dependent on the tourism industry is also at stake,” he said.

However, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Ngiam Foon said the outbreak had yet to affect outbound travel, with many Malaysians still going ahead with their vacation plans.

He said Malaysians did not panic easily although they would monitor the health status of their destinations before departing.

“At present, there is minimal impact on Malaysian travellers. There are no cancellations as yet.

“The consumers are smart as they will find out the true status of their intended destination before travelling. Regional travel is not affected,” he said.

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