By Anthony Dylan Anak Frankie Jurem
The urge to travel has come back in earnest this year. Many have made 2024 as their year of travelling after the aftermath of Covid -19. The pandemic and its aftermath took away 2020 all the way to 2022. 2023 was a slow year due to many of us having to restart our own economic livelihood.
The airports have started to become busy again. International tourist arrivals have been matched by the same eagerness of Malaysians departing Malaysia for holidays and tours. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals have seen passenger traffic grow rapidly this year.
It is interesting to also note that Malaysians are also flocking the border up north to head to Thailand. It was reported that during the last September holidays starting from Friday through to Monday, there were 100,000 Malaysian tourists and cumulatively spent THB1 Billion. At an exchange rate of THB100 = R12.75, you could imagine the same value spent in Ringgit Malaysia for domestic tourism.
Interestingly, Penang, Ipoh and Melaka remain the hotbeds in the Peninsula. This is evidenced by the extremely long traffic jams on the major highways during the same period. Towards the east, many have also made their way back home to their hometowns for the long school holidays after the long weekend holidays commemorating Malaysia Day. The roads to Genting Highlands and Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bahru were remarkably busy too. Flights to Sarawak and Sabah saw heavy loads.
Sadly, Langkawi did not show much as being an attractive destination as during the earlier years. Since post Covid-19, this island saw slow growth and at times a lull. This is good for some who want a quitter and less busy time on the island, but it does hurt the local economy which was and still is reliant on domestic tourism. Even Pulau Pangkor near Lumut town has better attraction for the domestic tourists.
Politics can play a real part in making or breaking a livelihood of a place. Langkawi has shown this dramatically. Ideally, politics should be the driver of tourism improvement even for domestic tourism. Already, we have international tourists shy away from rather exclusive policies devised. Langkawi has the number of rooms and hotels as well as the mobility options. The island is duty free so prices could have been better to entice.
However, therein lies the issue. What is supposedly true, in reality may not be. When asked as to why many flocked towards Thailand by land and making Hadyai and Dannok, many cite the variety and taste of food and the affordable pricing for stays. Langkawi has been cited of being overly expensive though duty free as many eateries and accommodation stays have become less competitive compared to Thailand. They did not even complain of the long wait at the border control.
It is particularly important that each state in the Peninsula take heed of how much disposable income is now spent in a foreign country as opposed to feeding the local economy. This is an issue which is not just the job of the State and Local Governments but also of those who are doing business. It is time for the business people of Langkawi to relook at their own business model. Otherwise, Langkawi would soon even disappear form the radar of domestic tourists and opting for the longer trip to Thailand or the shorter one to Pulau Pangkor.
The eastern states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are unpolished. There are many natural scenery and good eats in the three states. The major highways have connected the major cities and towns there with the western states of the Peninsula. The beautiful stretches of the coastlines are very pretty.
Gone were the days of turtle watching as the leatherbacks have become news of the past. In those days, many trips including school excursions made their way and time to Rantau Abang to catch the leatherbacks come on shore to lay their eggs. Rantau Abang in Terengganu used to be the world’s largest nesting area for leatherbacks.
There are many interesting places to discover in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. Even when you think of food, the east coast could offer you more than just Nasi Dagang, Nasi Kerabu or Sata. The seafood here are from the South China Sea whilst those in the Western states would catch them from the Straits of Melaka and its tributaries. Arts, Culture and Heritage tourism would be as huge as scenic tourism.
Imagine seeing a giant kite like the Wau fly by the coastlines. The familiar sounds and the majestic flight is one to see and experience. Batik is also huge in this region. The region also boasts beautiful islands like Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian and even Pulau Lang Tengah. There are also smaller ones near them. The waters are beautiful and many diving and snorkeling activities take place here. Many have even come here to get their PADI Scuba Diving certification.
The states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang have lots to offer. This is an untapped market for domestic tourism. Let us hope the State and Local Governments are open to the idea of domestic tourism improving the local economy. This would help many cottage industries and small, medium enterprises.
There is also a need to improve domestic flights to the airports of Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bahru. After all, this is also the oil and gas region of the Peninsula and one closest towards China and Vietnam other than Thailand.
It is time for many of us to consider taking road trips up to the east too. There is so much to discover.