Pulau Perhentian Set To Become Exclusive Eco-tourism Resort

SETIU (Terengganu), Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Pulau Perhentian is to be developed into an exclusive eco-tourism resort frequented by moderate- and high-income tourists as envisaged in the Terengganu Development Roadmap 2014-2020.

Terengganu Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee said the island was now overcrowded with visitors who came alone or in small groups and stayed for too long without contributing much to the economy of the local people.

"These visitors usually kept to a tight budget in terms of lodging and meals. They do not help to boost the economy of the islanders although they may help to market the island by word of mouth or through articles," he told Bernama.

Mohd Jidin said Tourism Malaysia was conducting a study as part of the measures to turn Pulau Perhentian into an exclusive tourist destination. "The study, which covers various aspects, is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will help the state government to draft the development plan for the island," he said.

The study would look into cleanliness and the proliferation of new chalets or resorts which could tarnish the natural beauty and eco-system of the island, he said. It would also consider the infrastructure facilities, upgrading of chalets and security, among other things, he added.

He also said that the federal government, through the Sewerage Services Department, would build a waste water management system on Pulau Perhentian Kechil at a cost of RM50 million. "The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) has provided RM2.4 million to upgrade several tourist jetties and the solid waste disposal site," he said.

Mohd Jidin said the state government was also looking into the direct involvement of the local population in the tourism sector, such as by holding courses for tourist guides and professional divers as well as providing water taxi services.

On the average, occupancy at the resorts on the island is 68 per cent and the tourist season runs from February to October annually. Mohd Jidin quoted Marine Department records as indicating that the island hosted 64,870 tourists this year up to May.

"Pulau Perhentian has 1,376 rooms of various standards managed by 45 hotel operators. "The tourists come from all over the world, but mainly from Europe, China, Japan and South Korea," he said.
-bernama.