State Industrial Development and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Mohamed Awang Tera said similar measures in Pulau Sipadan in Sabah and Pulau Rawa in Johor had proven to be successful.
“The government does not mean to stop backpackers from enjoying Pulau Redang’s beauty but this move can reduce the environmental degradation caused by resorts which don’t have good waste treatment facilities,” he told reporters.
Several resorts on the island would also be upgraded and the state government would focus on luring high budget tourists, he said.
As an alternative to Pulau Redang, Pulau Bidong would be turned into a recreational island complete with basic amenities but no resorts.
Mohamed said the state government had approved a project to turn the Pulau Redang jetty near the Laguna Redang Resort into a common jetty for several other resorts on the island.
Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]
1 comment:
while i am in favour of limiting numbers i think it is sad that "high end visitors" should be the ones to enjoy the island. doesn't the natural environment belong to the people of a country not just the super rich who can afford to stay in a resort, while the ordinary citizen is alienated from the environment in his own country?
perhaps with profits the hotels could open budget facilties for genuine nature lovers (who might apply through a body like WWF or Malaysian Nature Society)?
let's be honest. the big posh resorts are not always the most environmentally sensitive. i was horrified that club med cherating had huge booming firework displays at a time when turtles were coming in to lay eggs and hatchlings were being released into the sea. these creatures use the sound of the waves to navigate their path. how could club med have been so totally unthinking????
Post a Comment