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http://thestar.com.my/news/story ... ion/6023260&sec=nation
Friday April 9, 2010
Pulau Redang aims to lure the rich with room rates no less than RM1,600 By R.S.N. MURALI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
KUALATERENGGANU: Pulau Redang — rated as one of the world’s most beautifulislands — is set to be turned into a getaway exclusively for the richand famous.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said thestate government would no longer approve the construction ofchalet-type accommodation on the renowned island, which is much visitedby the diving community.
“Only hotels rated five-star and abovewill be allowed to be built,” he said when met after the state assemblysitting here yesterday.
In future, only wealthy individualswould be able to afford holidays in Pulau Redang as hotel rooms willcost no less than US$500 (RM1,599) a night, Ahmad said.
He thatsaid with the decision to turn the island into a high-end holidaydestination, current chalets catering for backpackers would have toupgrade and raise their rates.
Asked if the move would drawcriticism from non-governmental organisations, Ahmad said it was theonly way to save the surrounding rich marine life and preventenvironmental destruction due to pollution and indiscriminate littering.
“Someof the budget accommodation places on the island have no proper sewagesystem and waste is directed to the sea, and this destroys the corals,”he said.
Apart from that, Pulau Redang is a jewel for Terengganu and the 10th most beautiful island in the world, Ahmad said.
“Effortsmust be made to save the island from deteriorating environmentally.Those on budget excursions can visit other islands like Pulau Kapas andPulau Perhentian that are equally charming.”
Pulau Redang, apopular holiday destination for locals as well as foreigners, attractsabout 100,000 visitors annually including many who flock there to visitthe marine park.
Terengganu Tourist Association deputy presidentAlex Lee lauded the move, saying that it was time for Malaysia tocreate its own niche market.
“Redang has only one five-star hotel and others are mostly budget accomodations,” he said.
He believed the move by Ahmad was initiated out of concern for the environment as damage to the corals had been extensive.
Theowner of an eight-room hotel in Redang, however, was worried that hislivelihood would be affected if Pulau Redang became an exclusiveholiday destination.
He said the move would affect manyholidaymakers, both local and foreign, who would not be able to affordto stay in Pulau Redang if the state government went ahead with theniche market proposal.
“I hope the state government will meetbudget hotel and chalet operators in Redang to get our views andinclude us in the planning,” said the man, who wanted to be known onlyas Dina,
He also said the state government should ensure there was proper drainage and sewage on the island for better waste disposal.
Anotherchalet operator, Nik Kamal Nik Husin, 43, said the move would onlyburden the villagers on the island as many were renting out rooms tobudget travellers.
He also said only a handful of irresponsible chalet operators were directing the waste into the sea.
The state government, he said, should build a centralised sewage treatment to deal with the waste disposal problem. |
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发表于 9-4-2010 10:58 AM
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