TOURISM on Terengganu’s island resorts is picking up but the operators are plagued by problems such as the imposition of entry fees on visitors and the lack of basic facilities such as electricity supply.

Operators told The Malaysian Insight these hampered recovery of tourism in the east coast state that had been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hawa Abd Rahman, who owns the Ombak Kapas resort on Pulau Kapas, said the state government should abolish the marine park entry fees for visitors because it burdens tourists

The fees are RM5 for locals and RM30 for foreigners. 

“We always get complaints from tourists about this. So many visitors complain that they have to pay the fees, especially those who bring their families, who compare it to other places where there are no such fees,” he said.
 
Hawa said operators are also burdened with paying high solar power bills, half of whom were unable to pay, leading to cuts.

He said the state government supplies solar energy to Pulau Kapas and resort operators have to pay electricity bills of between RM15,000 to RM20,000 per month.

He said the state government’s policies do not help the development of the tourism sector.

“For example, the local authorities impose a maximum fine of RM500 when there isn’t enough parking.

“People will not come when there is a lack of basic facilities such as parking,” he said.

He said such issues should urgently be resolved for industry players who are trying to revive their businesses.

Hawa added that although the response from tourists was quite good, it still could not cover the losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is still a long way to go for the tourism sector and our business operations to properly recover.

“My expectation is that in three years, God willing it may be possible but at the same time we need support from the state government and the federal government,” he said.

According to reports, deputy tourism exco, Sulaiman Sulong said the tourism industry contributed RM3 billion to the east coast state’s economy with a target of three million tourists.

Sulaiman said even though the target was reduced compared to the arrival of five million which generated RM6 billion in 2019, it was realistic.

High power bills

Perhentian Island Resort and Tourism Association chairman Rafizah Munir said they have been fighting for the issue of electricity supply for a long time. 

He said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s recent announcement to pioneer the development of green energy that can supply 24-hour electricity on the island was highly regarded.

He hoped it was not just an empty promise.

“We really hope that the project can be implemented, we strongly support such efforts.

“Because this is a very long standing issue we have been fighting for decades.But I don’t know why the state government couldn’t do it before,” he said.

The Herera resort operator said he had to allocate at least RM200,000 for electricity supply until the November monsoon season to get 24-hour electricity supply.

“The RM200,000 does not include maintenance costs and workers but this is for a small engine only.

“Maintenance is too high, not to mention the cost of oil has gone up, and the cost (effect) for the environment is not good,” he said. – September 12, 2022.