Read the papers today and it seem that the local tourism are not doing very good lately. Some of the tourist agency put the blame on - HFM disease and Recent Fuel Hike.

And next year is already Visit Malaysia 2007.

what do you think is the real issue behind the "lack of tourist" issue?

and how to tackle those problems?

Please voice out your opinions. you might never know who is reading this column.

Remember last time we had an issue on the staff at the Tourism Center? Maybe that is one of the reason behind it.

ha? i din get those news.
tell me more about it

I remember last time we talked about an incident on getting a Kuching Map from the staff there and they apparently don't have one. Plus they are usually so not friendly. Perhaps they are friendly for selected group only.

may be..

build 2 more 3star-4star hotel around city center surrounding with beautiful parks and streets , transport hub, modern bazaar, pedestrian street ala 'Bintang Walk' or Bangsar and a new shopping center (medium size should be enuf)...hmm

Sample pic. (pic "bdrsibu7.jpg" - thanks to dave_win)

Street in Sibu:::

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Talking about shopping center, the one that can be considered ok is Parkson, the rest are really nothing much.

I believe tourists enjoy shopping at Main Bazaar and i tend to like to go there to get some souveniers for friends as well (for myself too).

I think Waterfront has not been fully utilized as a tourist spot, especially during night time. Maybe more cultural events can be held.

yishh.. fantasi, that is sibu?
looks like it can be a very lively place at night.

ha where would u suggest such place to be build in kuching?
the routes in Kuching are just too "fixed" and it is not possible to alter the roads to make way for development for such place.

The tourism minister should be more active like Abang Jo. The current tourism minister is like in inactive mode.

I think there should be more direct non-stop flights into Kuching with more foreign airlines giving tourist a vaariety of choices to choose from instead of the same all MAS, Air Asia.

Furthermore they should really maintain the public infrastructures like roads, public toilets, parks, Like waterfront i tink the railings need a good rebuff.

Roads in Kuching are just horrible, they shudn't call it TAR roads they should call it pot holes roads. Look at Jln Tun Jugah, imagine when tourist comes and than first impression the roads in Kuching is so damn lousy...gosh.

More Modern shopping complexes should be build around city area. Why? to cater for different needs and wants of tourist of course. I think that Tourist from the UAE region loves shopping so these new malls will attract them.

Do vigorous promotion on different countries, creating awareness amongst the travellers or people that SARAWAK IS HERE FOR YOU TO ENJOY!! Hold more events, campaign and collaborate with airlines and also travel agencies all over the world.

Another aspect is what Maybeline said. Staffs of STB and other parties that are related to the tourism should be properly to be friendly and willing to assist the tourist and people.

try and make each town unique uching can be the shopping paradise, Nature and Culture,

Sibu have a feel of the foochow culture o sth and the place to visit long houses

Miri scuba diving area and also Nature and Shopping.

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fixed??? don get it webbie can xplain

what i mean was, lets say, padungan , main bazaar, and alongside waterfront. those are main roads and can't possibly alter them to make way for tourism development. The roads can't be close to make into pedestrian street.

another thing, did anyone notice the Taxi stand over at the market place? they just set up the road divider blocks around it !
Thanks to that, now it looks like the taxi stand is going to be permanent and we will have narrow roads forever.

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yup..! ahaa...sibu city ctr..nearby hotels