Voluntourism a hit with longhaul travellers to Malaysia.

Date: 7 February 2013

Voluntourism a hit with longhaul travellers to Malaysia.

TRADITIONAL longhaul markets to Malaysia have developed an appetite for volunteer tourism, with travel consultants reporting growing interest in the niche segment.

Diethelm Travel Malaysia’s managing director, Manfred Kurz, said: “Traditionally, CSR programmes appeal only to meeting and incentive groups from European markets. But we have seen growing interest from the FIT segment over the last couple of years.” To harness rising demand, Diethelm Travel will work with established tour operators in Germany to promote more volunteer tourism programmes in Sabah and Sarawak for the FIT market this year.

Sarawak-based Masama JS Adventure Tours’ business development manager, Marco Wunsch, said: “In 2012, we saw 30 per cent year-on-year growth (in the number of participants) for our turtle conservation programme at Talang-Talang Island, with the most requests coming from FITs from the Netherlands.”  Masama works with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation for this programme. Wunsch said: “This year, we would like to develop more conservation tours in Sarawak, especially those with the rare Irrawaddy dolphins in the Santubong area.”

Alex Lee, CEO of Terengganu-based Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours, explained the difference between the regular leisure tourist and a volunteer tourist. “The FIT tourist involved in volunteer tourism spends at least 50 per cent more than the average tourist, as they even pay the locals a fee to be involved (in activities). 

“This year, we plan to develop more volunteer programmes in Terengganu, involving local culture, heritage and nature. Tourists will be able to decide on the programmes they wish to be involved in, based on their budget and length of stay.”

By S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur

Copyright @ TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd 2013

300 Vietnamese Tourists To Visit Pulau Bidong, 22 Years After It Was Closed.

Date: 27 January 2013

300 Vietnamese Tourists To Visit Pulau Bidong, 22 Years After It Was Closed.

KUALA TERENGGANU - In March, about 300 Vietnamese tourists will visit Pulau Bidong, which was once a refugee camp for Vietnamese "boat people' who escaped the new Communist rule after the Vietnam War ended in 1975. The island, about 40km from here, will be reopened to visitors this March after it was closed as a refugee camp on Oct 30, 1991.

Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said said the 300 Vietnamese tourists were among thousands of refugees who were now residing in a number of countries including the United States and Australia.

"They are coming to see the monuments built and visit the graves when Pulau Bidong was a refugee camp," he said, adding that the state government allowed the visit but the visitors had to follow the regulations set. Their lives have changed for the better and they now wish to visit the graves of their ancestors and relatives who died on the island."

Abdul Rahin also said that the state government had approved an allocation of RM200,000 to clean up and maintain the natural beauty of Pulau Bidong, in line with the Terengganu Visit Year 2013 programme.

Pulau Bidong was handed back to the state government to be made into a tourist attraction following the closure of the refugee camp there.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

Terengganu

Terengganu Darul Iman

Terengganu is known and famous for its 225-km coastline, white sandy beaches, romantic islands plus simple and traditional fishing villages. Other than attracting sun and sea-worshippers, Terengganu beaches also play host to the giant turtles during their egg-laying season every year at Rantau Abang area. 

Although the off-shore oil and gas drilling is its main income earner, farming and fishing are important occupations in Terengganu. Activities such as snorkeling, diving, traditional 'Candat Sotong' and 'Monsoon Cup' race are very popular as tourism activities and event. It is also a home for boat making especially at Pulau Duyung.

Terengganu is also famous for its food, 'Nasi Dagang', 'Keropok Lekor', 'Akok' and many more are delicious and tasty cuisine that tourist and visitors should try and enjoy.

The state is also renowned for its cottage industries. Among the traditional and special handicrafts made in the state are 'Kain Songket', 'Batik', copperware, mats and basketry.

Terengganu has announced 2013 to be 'Terengganu Visit Year' and it is a state that you should visit while in Malaysia.


Area:
12,955 sq km

State Capital:
Kuala Terengganu 

Places to visit:
1. Istana Maziah (Maziah Palace)
2. Masjid Tegah Zaharah (Floating Mosque)
3. Suterasemai Centre
4. Terengganu State Museum
5. Sekayu Waterfalls
6. Pura Tanjong Sabtu Cultural Centre
7. Tasik Kenyir (Kenyir Lake)
8. Marang Village
9. Pasar Payang (Central Market)
10. Turtle Watching at Rantau Abang
11. LA Hot Springs
12. Merang beaches
13. Marang beaches
14. Kijal beaches
15. Sungai Ceralak Waterfalls
16. Pulau Duyung 
17. Taman Negara (National Park)
18. Waterfront
19. Terengganu River Cruise
20. Royal Mausoleum
21. Bukit Puteri (Princess Hill Fort)
22. Chinatown
23. Desa Craft
24. Pulau Kapas (Kapas Island)
25. Pulau Gemia (Gemia Island)
26. Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Island)
27. Pulau Tenggol (Tenggol Island)
28. Pulau Lang Tengah (Lang Tengah Island)
29. Pulau Redang (Redang Island)
30. Pulau Bidung (Bidung Island)


Source: Tourism Malaysia

Terengganu Tourism Association To Work With Hotels, Resort Operators.

Date: 19 October 2012

Terengganu Tourism Association To Work With Hotels, Resort Operators

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu State Tourism Association (PPNT) will cooperate with hotels or state tourism agencies to boost tourism in the state, said its chairman, Wan Supian Wan Ishak.

He said the effort was necessary to grow existing tourist attractions to increase the number of tourist arrivals in the state in conjunction with the Visit Terengganu Year 2013.

"For example, the Sungai Terengganu river cruise at Payang Walk, Kuala Terengganu, is the latest tourist attraction in the state.

"PPNT, as the body tasked with promoting such activities, is calling on all interested tourism agencies to call us for further discussion," he told reporters after a dinner cruise with the media and bloggers on board a traditional boat on the Sungai Terengganu yesterday.

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