Escape Adventureplay opens its doors in Penang’s Teluk Bahang

map: Escape Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Escape Adventure­play, the first phase of the Escape Theme Park in Teluk Bahang, has opened its doors. The RM18mil Adventureplay, touted as the first of its kind in Penang, utilises existing jungle trees in its 2.8ha grounds for the many adventurous games and challenges.

There is an extraordinary array of leaps, climbs and zip lines emerging from these trees to create a place where fun reigns supreme, regardless of what the participant’s age is. Natural sounds from the forest gives the park the extra edge, besides the fresh air and natural sunshine.

Sim Choo Kheng, founder and chief executive of Sim Leisure Group, which operates Adventureplay, said the park would promote eco-friendly values. “Most people would expect a roller-coaster or mechanical water rides in a theme park but here, we want to promote outdoor activities for children and adults alike,” he said.

“We have redefined theme park’s concept. You challenge yourself actively, rather than just sitting on passive rides,” said Sim. “It’s much more exciting and healthier, especially, for the children today who live a more sedentary lifestyle.”

Adventureplay, which took a year to complete, opened on Friday. Among the major attractions is the Atan’s Leap, a freefall adventure with gentle and secure landing which is a must-try, especially for bungee-jumping enthusiasts. The tall tower structure consists of three levels of elevated platforms from 13m to the highest 30m.

Visitors can also sit on a Tubby tube in the Tubby Race, a gravity ride through a twisting and turning journey. Gekko Tower, which is a set of climbing towers on which participants can choose their path to reach the top of the obstacle, also promises a bucketful of fun.

There are also foodstalls serving local delights for the visitors. Sim said he expected about 350,000 visitors to the park annually.

He said the entire Escape Theme Park, which comprised three main components – AdventurePlay, WaterPlay and a Treetop Hotel, would sprawl 17.8ha and was expected to be completed in 2017.

Adventureplay’s opening hours are from 9am to 6pm daily. Entry fee is RM45 for children aged four to 12 and RM60 for those aged between 13 and 60. Malaysians get a 20% discount. Entry is free for children below four and MyKad holders aged above 60.

-thestar online.

http://www.escapepenang.com/

Hello Kitty, meet your fans!

Hello Kitty (right) and Dear Daniel greeting visitors in front of the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town entrance at Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park. Pix by Zain Ahmed

JOHOR BARU: It is on the first floor of the four-storey indoor theme park with a Hello Kitty merchandise store on the ground level.

The town is designed as a pretty little neighbourhood, complete with flower beds in front of the windows of brick-red houses, and deemed "child-friendly".

Inside the Hello Kitty home is a bathroom, kitchen, living area, bedroom and a special place for Kitty's sister, Mimmy. A special pergola in white and yellow hues was set up for fans to take photographs with Hello Kitty and her friend, Dear Daniel.

They greet visitors and dance for them on the Purrfect Stage as they perform the Hello Kitty Heartful Journey, an entertaining performance complete with chorus boy and girls.

Families can participate in activities at the Wishful Studio such as making dolls, bracelets with charms, painting each other's nails, and decorating cookies. They do these with the help of artisans such as paper craft artist Kazuya Tsukimori, and nail artist Masako Kojima from Japan.

For adventurous problem-solvers, they can help to rescue Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel from being held captive by Kuromi in a dungeon at Black Wonder. Young children can play with their friends at the Friendship Land, and go for a Tea Cup ride in the town.

There is an inflatable playground at The Little Big Club, which is the second theme park here. The latter also offers families several activities to keep their children busy. The club is on the second and third floor of the building.

On the second floor, Cuddly Purple Barney, the dinosaur popular among pre-schoolers from a sing-along TV series, will also make an appearance for stage performances daily. There is also an opportunity to be a young creator in the Bob The Builder area. Here, children can build a wall from soft blocks of various shapes.

On top of that, fans of courteous Angelina Ballerina will have a good time watching her dance with ballet precision. They can also learn how to dance by imitating her in computer-generated images. Then there is an arcade in Pingu Igloo for children to play games such as Whack-a-Fish, Pingu's Water Blaster, and Throw Basketball.

On the third floor, a series of Thomas & Friends rides will give visitors a whopping good time. The floor is an area for children to explore various transport modes with Maron and Wellsworth cartoon characters lending their names to stations in the background.

Visitor will also enjoy rides such as the Harold Helicopter Ride and Bertie's Bus Ride. Those who get a thrill out of rides at great heights will love Toby's Windmill Ride and the Colin's Cranedrop.

After a long day in the theme park, visitors can opt to eat at Mc Bunn cafe on the third floor, Cinnamoroll cafe on the first floor, or Red Bow Cafe on the ground floor. These eateries are inspired by Hello Kitty characters.

Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tunku Datuk Ahmad Burhanuddin Tunku Adnan said it was great to be able to house many cartoon characters under one roof. He said next month, the park would also have Lat's Place, which based on the iconic cartoonist.

"I hope visitors, especially families, will take the opportunity to visit Lat's Place, as there are many interactive activities for children to play and enhance their learning," said Tunku Ahmad.

He said the theme park is for children to get to know their favourite cartoon characters "in the flesh", other than just seeing them online or on television.

The park is at Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya. It is open from 10am until 6pm daily during Malaysian and Singaporean school holidays. When it's not the school holidays, it is closed every Tuesday. For more information, visit www.playtime.com.my

-nst online.

Drawing more tourists to Perak

Representatives from various sectors in the tourism industry at the declaration of intent ceremony. Pic by Farhan Najib

IPOH: To enhance the tourism industry in Perak,  a Joint Tourism Consultative Council has been formed with 11 founding members signing  the declaration of intent in a ceremony here recently. Among the signatories were representatives from tour agents, hotels, tourist guides, and operators in the homestay and heritage sectors.

Perak Tourism Association (PTA) chairman Mohd Odzman Abdul Kadir said the council was not another tourist organisation, but a forum to receive feedback from private and public sectors. "At present, the private sector is carrying out their own promotions, while the government has its own plans, " he told reporters after the signing ceremony at the Lost World Hotel in Tambun here. The event was witnessed by Tourism Ministry Perak director Syahruddin Abdul Hamid.

The council is aimed at encouraging the numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work with the government to develop detailed plans to put Perak on the tourist map. "We must be well-informed about the interest of each particular group of tourists. "We cannot go in blindly to promote everything.

"In future, more NGOs and government departments and agencies related to the tourism industry will be part of the council. "We feel the private sector can contribute more profitably if it is involved in the planning of programmes and budgets. "Furthermore, constructive comments should be made at the meeting table, if the plans are to be viable," said Odzman.

He said the setting up of the council will enable the sharing of information, which is vital for it to work. "It will also encourage communication and networking among the stakeholders and the community," he said. He noted that Perak had huge tourism potential, but it could only be realised through joint efforts of the players, authorities and members of the community.

Meanwhile, PTA forwarded a working paper to Tourism Perak on the setting up of an observatory. This is a mechanism in which a centre collects data from various organisations on tourist arrivals.

This is to identify the number of visitors, their country of origin, age and special interests. "We hope to start the ball rolling in January next year," said Odzman. The observatory was proposed by European Union, with officers sent to France to study the system.

-nst online.

Malaysian charters to Christmas Island relaunched

Kris International Traveltours is set to launch three charters from Kuala Lumpur to Christmas Island in December. Operated by Malaysia Airlines, the charters will leave Kuala Lumpur on December 22, 26 and 29, while the return leg is on December 26, 29 and January 1.

Kris International Traveltours general manager, KT Foo, told TTG Asia: “We first mounted the exclusive scheduled charter flights to Christmas Island way back in 1997. It’s an opportune time now to revisit and rediscover Christmas Island and to see the Red Crab Migration.

“Many Malaysians perceive Australia as being a very expensive holiday destination. We wish to change their mindset through our affordably priced charters. If these charters prove successful, we hope to do similar charters during the Chinese New Year period as well.”

Kris International Traveltours has developed four five-day/four-night packages for its December 22 departure, namely an all-inclusive four-wheel drive island adventure package from RM3,688 (US$1207), a honeymoon package, a game fishing package as well as a four-wheel drive island adventure and scuba diving package.

For the remaining departures, the company is offering two all-inclusive packages from RM3,488, namely a four-wheel drive island adventure as well as a four-wheel drive island adventure and honeymoon package, with optional activities such as golfing, bird watching and snorkelling.

Furthermore, the charter services also paves the way for more Australian inbound tourists to Malaysia in December, which coincides with the country’s year-end Mega Shopping Carnival, Foo pointed out. The company has tied up with an Australian outbound consultant for these charter operations.

-TTG Asia.

A ‘rojak’ of iconic dishes

Food drive: Ng speaking at the launch of the Asean Heritage Food Trail 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Three local favourites - yong tau foo, rojak and mee rebus - have been chosen as iconic Malaysian dishes for a food tourism event featuring famous chefs.

“The dishes were picked based on the criteria that they represent Malaysia Truly Asia, common to all Malaysians and are easily available,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She added that the dishes, chosen for the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia - 4th Asean Heritage Food Trail with Datuk Chef Wan, were selected based on feedback of the people.

The event will held until Nov 22 at Lot 10 shopping centre here, where local celebrity chefs will be conducting cooking demonstrations of their favourite Asean dishes. The public can expect familiar names such as chef Riz, Florence Tan and Celine Marbeck.

The event will also include international chefs from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Sweden, France and Singapore. Dr Ng hoped the public would also give their input to the ministry on their favourite local food for next year's top three dishes for the event.

On food tourism, Dr Ng said it was a great revenue generator and the local good food was sure to lure tourists to Malaysia. She added that food tourism has been identified as one of the components that would accelerate the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan 2020 in achieving the country's target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168bil tourism receipts by 2020.

“By 2020, it is expected that tourists will spend almost RM30bil on food,” she said in her speech before launching the event yesterday.

-thestar online.

1Malaysia Year End Sale! is back

Duration: 10 November 2012 ~ 1 January 2013

-Tourism Malaysia.
www.bbklccmalaysia.com
www.sunway.com.my/pyramid/
www.midvalley.com.my/
www.1utama.com.my/

China tops MM2H programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of Chinese nationals taking part in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is expected to increase in the next few years and spur domestic economic activities.


There were 3,332 Chinese participants as of August, making it the highest number of all MM2H participants, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. From January to August, 475 Chinese nationals joined the programme compared with 133 the same period last year, she said.

“We expect to see a substantial increase in the number of participants from China from next year onwards,” she said during the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between the Ministry and the Bank of China (BOC), for the latter to promote MM2H to all its bank customers through its branches in China and other parts of the world.

Dr Ng pointed out that with 10,961 branches in and outside China (six in Malaysia), the bank has 300,000 high net worth (more than US$1mil) customers.

Since 2002 until August, the MM2H programme had successfully attracted 19,488 participants from 120 countries and after China, the other highest participants were Bangladesh (2,407), Japan (2,187), Britain (1,889) and Iran (1,211). Dr Ng said Malaysia needed to maintain its economic vibrancy not just by drawing tourists in but also by getting them to stay longer.

The programme had also spurred the property market, as 1,659 pieces of property worth RM1.5bil were bought under MM2H from 2007 to 2012, she said. For the programme, successful applicants are given a 10-year social visit pass with a multiple entry visa which is renewable for as long as they like. besides enjoying tax-free income from abroad.

Ambassador of China to Malaysia Chai Xi said he foresaw the number of Chinese nationals participating in MM2H to triple in five years. He added that Malaysia was one of the nicest countries in the world to live in while Bank of China chief executive officer Zhen Jingbo said he would promote MM2H to attract Chinese entrepreneurs and individuals from greater China to invest here.

At another event, Dr Ng launched the book Enchanting Malaysia, which tourists could buy as souvenirs.
-thestar online.
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/

Russia-Malaysia flights set to soar

photo: Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia facebook

KUALA LUMPUR: The first non-stop flights from Russia to Malaysia will take off this Dec 17, and is set to pave the “runway” for the arrival of more Russian tourists to the country.


Fifteen charter flights, with a carrying capacity of 147 passengers each, will depart from Vladivostok to Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi, with a transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport over three months, and is expected to bring in 2,205 tourists to Malaysia within that period.

The series of charter flights is the product of a collaboration between Vladivostok Airlines and Malaysian tour agency Tourism Vacation Resources Sdn Bhd.

While witnessing the signing of the agreement between the two parties, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen described the initiative as “timely”, as there are currently no direct flights from any city in Russia into the country. “This will not only bring in more tourist arrivals from Russia, but will also strengthen the friendly ties between our two countries,” she said.

She said Vladivostok was the best place to begin direct flights between Russia and Malaysia as the East-Russian city was only six and a half hours from Kota Kinabalu, and eight hours and fourty-minutes from Langkawi by air.

“This is an untapped route and I see a lot of potential in this partnership,” she said.

The first flight from Vladivostok to Malaysia will arrive at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Dec 17, and the last flight out will be from the same airport on March 26.

Tourism Vacation Resources chairman Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid said that the partnership with Vladivostok Airlines will also look at arranging travel for Malaysians who wish to visit Vladivostok, in the near future.

Later, while officiating the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) 2012 at JW Marriott hotel here, the minister said that the annual festival helped put Malaysia on the map as an international luxury holiday and shopping destination.

“The IFF is an excellent platform to showcase Malaysia to the rest of the world as an Islamic Fashion capital, having transcended local boundaries and visited a number of major cities around the world such as Abu Dhabi, Astana, Bandung, Dubai, New York and Monte Carlo,” she said in her speech at the event which was themed “Hakuna Matata”, which featured mostly animal-print designs.

The festival organised by the Association of Muslim Apparel Entrepreneurs and Designers (AMAED) showcases ensembles by local and international designers that adhere to the Islamic way of dressing.
-thestar online.

Protect your trip & WIN!

Subang: Firefly passengers who add Firefly Travel Protection to their return trip from now to 16 December 2012 are in the running to win holiday packages for two worth up to RM30,000 for travel anytime in 2013. The Fly Firefly to Win Your Next Holiday contest is divided into three bi-weekly phases with three lucky winners randomly selected for each phase.

Passengers who did not win the Bi-weekly prizes will be entered into the final draw for the sole Grand Prize! In total, there will be 10 exciting holidays for two up for grabs.

Ignatius Ong, Firefly’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We developed this initiative to thank our passengers for using Firefly Travel Protection. It also serves to highlight the importance of a well-planned and protected journey. As seasoned travellers ourselves, we know that despite our best intentions, unexpected mishaps can happen and at times like these a comprehensive travel protection plan is important.”

The 10 exciting holiday packages to be won are:

Three Sets of Bi-Weekly Prizes:

•Firefly Return Flight Tickets for Two to Medan and a 3 Days and 2 Nights stay @ Grand Antares Hotel (3-star) worth RM3,200

•Firefly Return Flight Tickets for Two to Langkawi and a 3 Days and 2 Nights stay @ Grand Continental (3-star) worth RM2,800

•Firefly Return Flight Tickets for Two to Penang and a 3 Days and 2 Nights stay @ Naza Talya Hotel (3-star) worth RM2,400

One Grand Prize:

•Firefly Return Flight Tickets for Two to Koh Samui and a 3 Days and 2 Nights stay @ Chaba Cabanna Beach Resort (4-star) worth RM4,000.

The contest is subject to terms and conditions; for more information on how passengers can win these incredible holiday packages, visit http://www.fireflyz.com.my/contest/travel-and-win

Currently, Firefly offers Firefly Travel Protection to passengers on Malaysia-origin flights only through its website www.fireflyz.com.my and call centre; as well as its online holiday portal Firefly Holiday at http://www.fireflyholiday.com/www.fireflyholiday.com.

Firefly Travel Protection is a comprehensive plan to shield a passenger from life’s unexpected mishaps. Whether it’s an unforeseen trip cancellation, loss of baggage or personal property, or an accident, Firefly Travel Protection can help minimise losses or offer emergency assistance. Firefly Travel Protection is underwritten by ACE Jerneh Insurance Berhad (formerly known as Jerneh Insurance Berhad) (9827-A).

Another reason to fly Firefly in the next two weeks is the current all-in, one-way promotional fare that starts from RM95 to its local and regional routes, including its newest destination, Hat Yai! Booking period is from now till 18 November, for travel from 8 January to 31 March 2013. Tickets can be purchased from Firefly’s website at www.fireflyz.com.my and via its call centre 03-7845 4543.-Firefly.

Penang plays host to ecotourism conference

With Penang fast becoming a hub for ecotourism, it is only befitting that the state plays host to the 7th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference (APeco 2012).

Organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) with the theme ‘Back To Mother Nature,’ the APeco is held in line with the growing awareness of the need of conservation and sustainable development, particularly in East Malaysia.

MATTA president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said ecotourism is about people travelling to a destination, interacting with the environment and learning about the local cultures while promoting their well-being.

“The conference has become a prominent ecotourism event in the Asia Pacific region, where ecotourism academicians and practitioners congregate to network and exchange views,” he said. Khalid added that in Malaysia, ecotourism is still in its infancy.

“There are only a handful of tour operators who actually promote ecotourism. Moreover, this is a new field for most Asians while for Europeans as well as Americans, sustaining our way of life is of paramount importance,” he said.

He also said that the conference aims at uncovering ingredients of success from experts and ecotourism gurus as well as learning from projects, destinations and organisations. At the conference, 10 papers will be presented by 11 expert speakers as well as panelists from countries like Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa and India.

APeco 2012 organising chairman Quah Ewe Kheng said the conference has the potential to teach, educate, promote and transform the ecotourism sector in Malaysia. “We have so much to offer in terms of ecotourism but no one seems to know. So this is an ideal opportunity to promote all of these as we have Malaysian and internationally renowned speakers. “They will be sharing their experiences and knowledge of how best to promote these sites while ensuring sustainable tourism,” he said.

Penang Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said besides promoting the culture and heritage of Penang, the state is also looking to promote its ecotourism. “We have so many attractions for the ecotourism sectors like the Meromictic Lake in Penang National Park, which is one of only two in the whole world,” said Law.

The conference will be held at Eastin Hotel Penang from Nov 28 to 30. For more information, email to MATTA at secretariat.apeco@matta.org.my or visit www.apeco2012.com.

-thestar online.

Perlis Food Promotion Week 2012 @ Hotel Seri Malaysia Melaka

Date: 5 ~ 11 November 2012

Venue: Hotel Seri Malaysia - Melaka (Tel: 06-232-8460)

-Tourism Malaysia Perlis & Melaka office.

Rise in medical tourists

The ‘doc’ is in: Liow performing mock surgery after opening the expo in Petaling Jaya. Looking on is Datuk Dr Jeffery Jeswant Dillion.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's high quality doctors, reputable health institutes and affordable rates compared with the United States is attracting international medical tourists to seek treatment here.

Malaysia received 583,000 patients from abroad last year, a tenfold increase over the last decade, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. He said the number was expected to grow as Malaysia strives to cement itself as a choice destination for those seeking treatment abroad.

“In 2000, we recorded about 56,000 foreign patients seeking treatment here. Last year, 583,000 sought treatment here, that's a tenfold increase in the last decade,” said Liow when opening the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Expo 2012 at Sunway Convention Centre yesterday.

He said Malaysia's healthcare services was in high demand among patients from Indonesia, India, Japan, Britain and the United States. “A total knee replacement performed in Malaysia would cost US$8,000 (RM24,502), a heart bypass at US$10,000 (RM30,627) and a health screening package US$2,000 (RM6,125),” said Liow.  Among the most sought-after treatments by foreign patients here were orthopaedic, cardiac care and cancer, he said.

To further promote Malaysia's medical tourism offerings abroad, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council opened new offices in Dhaka and Jakarta recently. An office in Hong Kong is in the pipeline.

The MHTC Care Line, a dedicated call centre to answer enquiries from all over the world, has also been established and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is set to introduce its new Medical Gallery and Medical Concierge next year. The expo, the first organised since the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council was established in 2009, ends today.

-thestar online.
www.mhtc.org.com

Celebrate School Break @ Impiana

-www.impiana.com

ERL extension on track to KLIA2

Almost there: Syed Hamid (left) inspecting the ERL line extension project during a site visit to KLIA2. Accompanying him are Noormah and Azmi.

SEPANG: Work to extend the Express Rail Link (ERL) to the new Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (KLIA2) is on target and is expected to be completed by the end of March, said ERL Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Noormah Mohd Noor. She said as at October, work to extend the line and services from the KL International Airport (KLIA) to KLIA2 was 73% complete.

The project, which began in July last year, involves a 2.14km line extension. Commercial services are expected to commence on May 1 to coincide with the opening of the new terminal.

“The work is on track and everything is progressing well. The track is 95% complete,” she said at a press conference after a site visit to KLIA2 yesterday by Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar. Also present were Malaysia Airports Bhd senior general manager Datuk Azmi Murad and ERL Maintenance Support Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Thomas Baake.

Passengers travelling from KL Sentral to KLIA via ERL's high-speed train (KLIA Ekspres) and its commuter service (KLIA Transit) would not incur additional cost if they chose to extend their route to KLIA2. “However, those shuttling between terminals would have to pay RM2,” Noormah said.

Works, she added, were also underway to create a common platform at both terminals for KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit passengers for better convenience. “The journey from KL Sentral to KLIA2 will take 33 minutes via the express train and 39 minutes with the commuter service. “The new line extension is expected to increase our ridership by 40%,” she said, adding that their total passenger load for this year was about 5.3 million.

The ERL station at KLIA2 will be located within the terminal's integrated complex and includes, among others, a 230m-long platform, escalators, boarding and exit gates and a concourse area with ticketing and operational offices.

-thestar online.
www.kliaekspres.com

Korean Air ups frequency to Kuala Lumpur

Korean Air will add more flights to Kuala Lumpur in December, the peak travel period for both South Korean and Malaysian outbound.

The airline is adding an extra daily flight on the Incheon-Kuala Lumpur route from December 1-27, deploying a B777-300, according to Korean Air’s country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Seiwan Kim. He said the average load occupancy of daily flights was 80 per cent.

Kim also said the airline was looking at mounting eight charter flights between Incheon and Langkawi during the Chinese New Year period next year, but nothing has been confirmed as yet. Currently, Korean Air only flies to Kuala Lumpur.

Tourism Malaysia’s director for South Korea, Mohd Amirul Rizal, said Jin Air was also expected to commence a total of 20 charters, comprising two charters weekly from December 22 between Kota Kinabalu and Incheon International Airport.

-TTG Asia.

Suria Cherating Beach Resort Packages

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Business Luncheon @ Seri Pacific Kuala lumpur

-www.seripacifichotel.com

Skuba bersama Ombak Resort

Zulkifli Mohd Sharif (dua dari kanan) dan isteri, Nur Salinda (kanan) bersama kakitangan yang menjadi ‘tulang belakang’ Ombak Resort di Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu.

Aktiviti selam skuba (skuba) memang asing bagi Zulkifli Mohd. Sharif, 50, sehinggalah dia bertemu jodoh dengan Nur Salinda Sabar, 34. Isterinya telah memperkenalkan aktiviti skuba kepadanya sehingga membuatkannya ‘jatuh cinta’ terhadap rekreasi tersebut. Bukan sahaja Zulkifli, kini hampir semua ahli keluarganya termasuk adik-beradiknya turut ‘terjebak’ sehinggakan masing-masing kini mempunyai lesen menyelam.

Minat mendalam terhadap skuba dan dunia lautan akhirnya mendorong Zulkifli membeli sebidang tanah di Kampung Nelayan, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Besut, Terengganu untuk dimajukan sebagai resort. Resort yang diberi nama Ombak itu bukan sahaja menjadi sumber pendapatan kepada Zulkifli, tetapi membolehkan mereka sekeluarga memenuhi hobi menyelam pada bila-bila masa yang disukai.

Selaku Pengarah Operasi Ombak Travel & Tour Sdn. Bhd. (Ombak), Zulkifli berkata, resort tersebut diuruskan bersama isterinya yang bertindak sebagai Pengarah Urusan Ombak Cafe, manakala ibu mertuanya yang dikenali sebagai Mama D pula berperanan sebagai Pengarah Ombak Cafe. Sementara seorang abangnya, Shaharudin Sharif yang lebih dikenali sebagai Pok Din pula menjadi Pengarah Ombak Divers.

Ditanya apakah keistimewaan Ombak Resort, beliau berkata, bukan sahaja lokasinya di Pulau Perhentian Kecil yang terkenal mempunyai air jernih dan kaya dengan hidupan laut, malah resort itu berbeza dengan destinasi percutian lain kerana menawarkan perkhidmatan sehenti bagi peminat skuba. Menurutnya, operasi resort tersebut dibahagi kepada tiga bahagian iaitu Ombak Divers yang menguruskan aktiviti skuba dengan menawarkan pakej menarik termasuk jurulatih untuk mendapatkan lesen menyelam, kemudahan peralatan menyelam dan bot membawa pelancong menerokai dasar laut di sekitar perairan Pulau Perhentian.

“Istimewa perairan Pulau Perhentian adalah kepelbagaian spesies hidupan laut seperti ikan dan batu karangnya yang cantik. “Di perairan ini juga terdapat tukun daripada kapal-kapal yang tenggelam termasuk kapal nelayan Vietnam, kapal milik Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia serta bot Polis Diraja Malaysia," katanya sambil memberitahu tukun-tukun tersebut menjadi tarikan penyelam kerana merupakan tempat ikan membiak.

Bagi yang suka ‘jalan-jalan cari makan’ pula, Zulkifli berkata, Ombak Cafe menyediakan pelbagai hidangan barat dan tempatan yang enak. Menurutnya, suasana di kafe yang boleh memuatkan 150 pelanggan dalam satu masa itu bukan sahaja santai, malah menghadap laut dengan dihiasi dekorasi nusantara yang unik.

Tinjauan S2 mendapati keunikan itu boleh dilihat pada tiang-tiang kayu ukiran masyarakat pribumi Sarawak, selain bakul dan tikar anyaman dari Kelantan yang menjadi perhiasan di dalam kafe tersebut. Bagi penginapan calet pula, pengunjung pasti berpuas hati dengan keadaan bilik yang kemas, bersih dan cantik.

Zulkifli dan Nur Salinda sepakat menerapkan unsur-unsur nusantara termasuk pemilihan perkataan bahasa Melayu iaitu Ombak untuk resort mereka. Ini kerana mereka mahu memperkenalkan keunikan kebudayaan Malaysia kepada pengunjung, khususnya pelancong asing. Sebab itulah, pasangan suami isteri tersebut tidak kisah mengeluarkan belanja yang tinggi untuk pergi ke Kuching, Sarawak dan Kampung Warisan di Kelantan bagi membeli tiang ukiran kayu, bakul, tikar dan pelbagai jenis hiasan lain untuk digunakan sebagai dekorasi di kafe dan calet mereka.

Beliau berkata, walaupun berada di pulau, pengunjung tetap boleh berhibur pada waktu malam kerana Ombak Cafe menyiarkan tayangan filem-filem terbaharu dan siaran langsung perlawanan bola sepak melalui skrin besar.
“Pada masa depan, kami merancang mahu mengadakan persembahan kebudayaan seperti dikir barat sebagai acara tahunan di resort ini bagi memperkenalkan kebudayaan tempatan kepada pelancong," katanya.

Zulkifli juga berkata, memandangkan resort tersebut baru dirasmikan oleh Menteri Pelancongan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen pada 7 Jun lalu, mereka tidak sempat membuat laman web mengenainya lagi tetapi orang ramai boleh menghubungi talian 09-691-1002 atau menghantar emel ke alamat ombakperhentianisland@yahoo.com untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut mengenai pakej pelancongan yang ditawarkan.
-utusan online.