Labuan: Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen proposed that Labuan came out with 10 icons and the Ministry would select the five most suitable ones and help promote the tourism based on the icon of the island.

"This way, we would be able to attract more people because each icon would attract a specific group, as different tourists had different interests," said Ng after inspecting the haul of fish from the International Game Fishing Tournament.

She said that an icon could be anything but meaningful and suitable, "Like I notice you have the chimney as an icon we could also have a Heroes' Memorial to honour those killed in the last war here."

She said that even Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) could serve as an icon of a place and there is a huge potential.

She noted that so far there had been 2,500 successful applicants under MM2H and if Labuan had the proper facilities, could become a MM2H centre.

"I was in Japan recently and found that a pensioner there is paid as much as US$2,000 per month, with such earning they could do much here as things are cheaper and the climate is suitable around the year. This is a market you could tap," said Ng.

She noted that even those who took up residence under the MM2H programmes did not immediately buy properties but "we could also earn the tourism dollar through their daily spending."

She also that the Ministry was keen to add value to the fishing tournament by extending it with more attractive events but we have to assess the gains made at such events.

"I have been told that RM1.5 million had been spent to host the event and if we could gain as much as five times, there is strong reason to add more creative activities to the event," said Ng.

She also commented on the display of oil paintings as it served as a wonderful platform to promote local art, she said, adding that she was attracted to a piece she was unable to buy because it did not have a price or the name of the artist.

Ng suggested that Labuan look into developing a centre to learn the skills of deep sea fishing and the types of fishing, and there should be tournaments related to different types of fishing.

On the lack of hotel accommodation for Labuan to hold big events, Ng suggested that homestay be promoted as it give the visitors the actual experience of life on the island.

Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=64708

| More...