Efforts to promote Johor as a tourist destination have been ongoing, but there is still a lack of awareness of places outside Johor Baru. Manager Jade Ann Baculanta, 33, mentioned that despite the abundance of interesting places in Johor, most are hidden and unknown to international visitors. Baculanta, who has been working in Singapore for over a decade, only recently discovered the other interesting places around the state after getting to know her husband, who is from Johor. Since last year, Baculanta has been exploring hidden treasures in districts such as Batu Pahat, Muar, and Kluang. She believes that there is a need to further promote these places, particularly those that are far from Johor Baru.
Baculanta also emphasized the need to improve public transport for visitors and make information more accessible, especially for tourists from other countries. She mentioned the difficulty of traveling to many parts of Johor without a car and the lack of information on alternative transportation options. Baculanta suggests that Johor should move towards making it easier for tourists to move around the state, similar to her experiences in countries where language barriers did not hinder her ability to travel.
Muhd Afiq Haziq, 29, who runs a homestay in Tangkak, expressed his concern about the lack of promotion for the district. He believes that more efforts are needed to promote Tangkak as many people, especially those from outside the country, are not aware that Johor has much more to offer than just Johor Baru. Muhd Afiq mentions that each district in the state has unique attractions that are not given much promotion.
Muhd Afiq also highlights the need to improve public transportation to attract international tourists who do not want to drive. The absence of a nearby bus terminal makes it difficult for visitors to reach areas such as Tangkak. Sukri Zakaria, 48, a restaurant owner in Kluang, shares a similar sentiment. He believes that Renggam, a town in Kluang district, has many historical buildings and businesses that would interest tourists. However, the lack of hotels and homestays in Renggam is a deterrent for visitors.
Sukri hopes that the state government will put in more effort to promote Renggam and help increase visitor numbers. This would boost the town’s economic potential and encourage locals to open hotels or homestays, allowing visitors to spend more time in the quiet town. Overall, there is a consensus among these individuals that Johor needs to improve transportation options and access to visitor information to enhance tourism beyond Johor Baru.
— By VENESA DEVI
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
