Tourism players in Mersing, Johor, are seeking assistance from the state government to launch programs that will attract visitors to the district before the start of the monsoon season at the end of October.
Shaz Resort Pulau Tinggi owner Datuk Md Zairi Zainal has expressed that the recent National Day holiday was a great opportunity for resort owners on the islands. During the school holidays from August 25 to September 2, there was a surge in bookings for family day events and team building activities. Nevertheless, the sector has still not fully recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In light of this, Md Zairi is hopeful that the government can help in organizing programs before the islands close for the upcoming monsoon season. He added that holidaymakers have become more cautious with their spending due to the high cost of living, making it difficult for everyone to afford a vacation.
Fahmi Abd Malik, the senior manager of Teluk Penyabong Resort Mersing, revealed that they were extremely busy during the recent holiday period, resulting in walk-in customers being turned away. The majority of bookings were made online, with walk-in customers being redirected to neighboring resorts with availability. Fahmi expressed gratitude for overwhelming support, noting that island-hopping tours were fully booked. However, the high influx of tourists also highlighted the dire need to improve facilities in the district, particularly parking spaces.
Ahmad Firdaus Shaik Omar, the secretary of Mersing Tourism Association, clarified that despite social media claims, the price of island-hopping tickets remains the same. These tickets cover visits to Pulau Harimau, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Hujung, Pulau Tengah, and Pulau Besar, costing between RM160 and RM180 per person. This price includes the Mersing Tourism Operating System (MeTOS) fees and marine park fees. Some island tour operators may offer additional discounts. Additionally, Ahmad Firdaus addressed an incident where a boat hull exploded due to strong waves. He assured that it was an isolated case involving villagers from Pulau Tinggi, where two individuals sustained leg fractures while traveling to the island to harvest durian. The boat could not withstand the extra load and the hull broke upon being hit by waves.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
