Two-wheeler boost for Raub

Cycling is putting the quaint little town of Raub in Pahang on the world map.


Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen who is also Raub MP, said bicycling tourism benefits residents and the business community in the district. She added that with programmes such as the ‘1Malaysia Holiday Sunday Bike Ride’ which was launched recently, revenue for the hospitality sector is set to soar. “I was told that bicycle sales alone in this town has increased by 30% which is an indication that the sport is being taken seriously,” she added.

Time to rest: A stretching exercises by Musa Yusof during a break of the cycling in Raub town.

Dr Ng said hotels and food outlets in Raub town are now the focus point for tourists who visit the district for the purpose of bicycling tourism. Earlier, she led some 300 cyclists on a 15.4km ride from Taman Tasik Raub to a scenic course around the district.

Among those who escorted the minister during the event were Tourism Malaysia’s Domestic Marketing Division director Musa Yusof, the state Tourism Ministry Office’s general manager Idros Yahya, Bukit Fraser’s Development Corporation general manager Datuk Hanafiah Abdul Mutalib and Pahang’s Tourism director Amran Abdul Rahman. During the ride, cyclists were led to the countryside where they also had the opportunity to see up close what rural life is all about. The ‘1Malaysia Holiday Sunday Bike Ride’ was the third group ride held on first Sunday of every month since April this year.

All together: The 1Malaysia sign is shown by the cyclists after their morning ride.

Tourism Malaysia’s Musa, who is also the organising committee chairman, said events as such could generate revenue for the hospitality sector in the district. “We have cyclists from all over the country, particularly those from Kuala Lumpur which is less than two hours drive away taking part in the event. “This is encouraging to the hotel and food operators here who experienced a boost in their sales.”

The programme, he added, was a follow-up from the ‘1Malaysia Holiday Cycling Packages @Raub’ which was carried out in May.Cycling packages, added Musa, is an avenue to promote Raub as the tourism destination.The move was also supported by the National Cycling Federation and major cycling associations and clubs in the country.

Misty moments: Dr Ng leads 300 cyclists to cycle in Felda Krau area in Raub, Pahang.

Apart from that, Musa said cycling is also a social activity that foster good ties among people. “Take for example, some old friends who have never met for ages, they bonded again through cycling when they met in this event. “Such are the surprise elements in bicycling tourism events and we hope that other state will follow suite,” he said.
-thestar online.