Cycling packages helping to promote local products too.

25th March, 2013

Cycling packages helping to promote local products too.

RAUB: The cycling packages introduced by the Tourism Ministry have helped to highlight locals products besides boosting domestic tourism, said minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“In Felda Tersang, there are local fruits like buah saga and the various colours of bunga raya; some of the things which city folks may not even know exist,” she said. “The settlers, too, were not familiar with them. But after they took part in the cycling programme, they came to know about these during their stops,” she added.

Dr Ng said the making of parang had also long existed in Felda Tersang but some settlers knew about it only through the cycling trips. “The cycling packages we launched last year have proven to be one of the most popular tourism packages for locals and foreigners.

“We have expanded the packages into the Felda settlements. We started it in Felda Tersang which is some 45km from Raub town,” she said after taking part in the 10km Kayuhan Sihat@ Tersang held at Felda Tersang Satu here yesterday.

Dr Ng said also said that her ministry had funded the upgrade of fishing ponds in Felda Tersang so that these would become more attractive to visitors, joggers and cyclists. “Soon their surface will be full of teratai flowers and the landscaping will be enhanced too,” she said.

 Copyright@1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd

Singapore is favourite destination of Malaysians.

Date: 29 January 2013

Singapore is favourite destination of Malaysians.

MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE - Malaysian travellers prefer destinations that don't require a long-haul flight. Singapore's high exchange rate and rigid rules may cause us to pause, but apparently, it has done little to stop us zooming over the causeway in droves.

Based on internal data gathered from January to November 2012, Tripadvisor, one of the world's largest travel sites, has revealed the local and international destinations that Malaysian travellers looked up the most as the destinations for their next holiday, and The Lion City topped the list.

Eight other Asian destinations also made it to the list, showing Malaysian travellers to prefer flights within the six-hour duration. The second and third most viewed international destination belongs to Bangkok and Hong Kong respectively.

Thailand took the most spots with Bangkok, Krabi Town (#4) and Patong (#10). Only London (#9) made the cut for long-haul destinations.

Meanwhile, on the home front, Kuala Lumpur - city with the highest concentration of shopping malls and recreation facilities - has ranked tops within Malaysia.

This should come as no surprise, given that a majority of Malaysians travel domestically to visit friends and relatives, followed by shopping, vacation and entertainment and recreation, according to the Domestic Tourism Survey 2011 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

The other most-searched local destinations are, in a descending order, Malacca, Genting Highlands, Kota Kinabalu and Georgetown.

By Louisa Lim, The Star/Asia News Network

Copyright @ 2013 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.

RM15 Million Allocation To Implement 29 Tourism Projects In Raub.

Date: 28 January 2013

RM15 Million Allocation To Implement 29 Tourism Projects In Raub.

RAUB - The Federal Government has approved a RM15 million allocation to implement 29 tourism projects in Raub this year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said, the projects included the upgrading of public transport stands, Raub taxi services, Raub lake garden and homestay programmes.

"Previously, the ministry conducted several projects, such as upgrading of tourism facilities in the district, which included putting up decorative lights on trees around town, improving Kampung Gali Hilir and Sungai Pusu homestays, and improving tourism facilities in Jeram Besu and the water sports centre in Kampung Batu Malim," she said.

Dr Ng was speaking at the handing-over of the town buses and taxi terminal upgrading project to the Raub district council here Monday.

The Raub member of parliament said, efforts to improve tourism facilities in the district were one of the government's moves in promoting the tourism industry in the district, in line with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 promotional campaign.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

Mine tunnel a hit among tourists.

Date: 2 January 2013

Mine tunnel a hit among tourists.

KUANTAN: HUNDREDS of visitors thronged the former Sungai Lembing mining site here on New Year's Day after its underground tunnel was opened to  the public for the first time  since 1888. Local and foreign tourists gathered at the ticketing counter as early as 8am before the first batch of 15 people were taken into the tunnel, using a special tram at 10am.

Among the early birds yesterday was factory worker Eng Tick Hang, who came with a friend from Penang. He said they had been looking forward to visit the tunnel and took the opportunity to drop by during their holiday here.

"All this while, we only read in the newspapers and books about the mining site. But now, we have the opportunity to enter it. To preserve its original condition, the tunnel had only undergone minimum repairs." The 48-year-old said the tour guide, who accompanied them during the visit, was knowledgeable as he explained to them about the history of the tunnel and answered all their questions.

Nafisa Muminova, from Tashkent in Uzbekistan, described the experience of going into the tunnels as enlightening. She learned how the mining process was carried out in the old days. "It is my first trip inside a mine, which happens to be the deepest tin mine in the world. After having gone through the tunnel, I have some idea of the kind of life led by the miners who once worked there. The authorities should consider opening more tunnels inside the mine as they will provide visitors with more adventure and thrill," said the 22-year-old.

Her friend, Khairunnisa Wahiddudin, 37, found the tunnel tour educational and it provided visitors with good information on the history of the mining activities. "This is a rewarding trip. It's seldom one can get such an experience in this part of the region. The light and audio systems inside the tunnel also provide visitors with a real-time adventure. As many foreign visitors are expected to visit the tunnel, I hope the authorities could provide tour guides who can speak English and Bahasa Malaysia."

As of 10am yesterday, more than 300 people had purchased tickets to ride a modified tram, which could carry 15 people into the tunnel. The tram stopped after 80m and visitors disembarked for a guided tour inside the 1.5km tunnel. The tour guide showed them interesting sites like the Million Dollar Chamber, which was where a group of ex-miners illegally mined in 1987 despite the tunnel's closure.

By HIDIR REDUAN | news@nst.com.my

Copyright © 2011 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad

Pahang

Pahang Darul Makmur

Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia and located at the east coast of West Malaysia. It has cool green mountains, rainforests, hill resorts, tranquil fishing villages, long stretches of sandy beaches, mysterious caves and unspoilt lakes. Pahang is famous for its Cherating beach, Teluk Chempedak and Beserah Beach. There are the renown hill resorts of Cameroon Highlands, Genting Highlands and Fraser's Hill. The forest reserves of Endau-Rompin ad Taman Negara (National Park) are among the oldest rainforests in the world.

Area:
35,965 sq km

State Capital:
Kuantan 

Places to visit:
1. Genting Highlands
2. Cameroon Highlands
3. Fraser's Hill
4. Taman Negara (National Park) 
5. Gua Charah
6. Kenong Rimba
7. Beserah
8. Tasik Chini  
9. Tasik Bera
10. Gunung Tapis Park
11. Kuantan Beaches
12. Cherating Beaches
13. Tekam Plantation
14. Kuantan town
15. Bukit Tinggi
16. Berkelah waterfall
17. Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island)


Source: Tourism Malaysia