Tourism in Malaysia

CHANG SHEK LING
SHALANI D/O MANI
NORWANI BINTI ZALZELI
BARANISREE D/O MUNIANDY
NUR FARAH AAINAA BINTI MAZLAN

Tioman Island (locally known as Gunung Daik Bercabang Tiga) is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the state of Pahang, and is some 39 km long and 12 km wide. It has eight main villages, the largest and most populous being Kampung Tekek in the north. The densely forested island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a popular scuba diving spot. There are also a lot of resorts and chalets around the island.

Its beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie, South Pacific as Bali Hai. In the 1970s, TIME Magazine selected Tioman as one of the world's most beautiful islands.

Apart from its diverse marine life, the inland rainforest area, encompassing approximately 12,383 hectares, in Tioman is a strictly enforced nature reserve. There are several protected species of mammals on the island, including the Binturong, Long-tailed Macaque, Slow Loris, Black Giant Squirrel, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Mouse deer, Brush-tailed Porcupine, and Common Palm Civet, from a total of 45 species of mammals and 138 species of birds, including the majestic Frigatebird. Moreover, Tioman has species that are endemic to its shores. The soft-shelled turtle and the Tioman walking catfish are both unique and can be seen on rainforest walks.

The island is served by ferries from the Malaysian mainland, and a propeller plane service by Berjaya Air from the Seletar Airport in Singapore and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Kuala Lumpur

Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry from Lumut (a small coastal town that links to Ipoh, or from Sitiawan). It has a land area of only 8 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 25,000 islanders. It is heavily promoted as a low-key tourist destination by the Malaysian government, but fishing and fish products remain major industries.

Historically, Pangkor was a refuge for local fishermen, merchants and pirates. In the 17th century, the Dutch built a fort in an effort to control the Perak tin trade. In 1874, it was the location of a historic treaty between a contender to the Perak throne and the British government (The Pangkor Treaty), which began the British colonial domination of the Malay Peninsula.

Pangkor is famous for its fine beaches and a mix of low budget to 5 star accommodations. Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay on the north west of the island is extremely popular with travellers from Europe. The quality of sand is far more superior in the Pasir Bogak Beach as compared to elsewhere on the island. The sand is golden brown, quite similar to most leading prime beaches.

Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia, Thailand and to a lesser extent the West Coast of Malaysia in December 2004, there has been less local tourists visiting Pangkor.

In 2006, a biotechnology centre, a joint venture of Global Hi-Q Malaysia S/B and Hi-Q Bio-Tech International (Taiwan) Ltd began operations with initial investments of RM100million (USD30m). Their operations include fish farming, aquaculture and the first harvest is expected in 2009.

The Malaysia tourism destination Pangkor is very well known for the white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, canoeing, jungle treks, bright stars, excellent food, snorkeling, jet-skiing and tropical fruits.Furthermore it's quiet and relaxing, in short, gorgeous and awesome! It's the ultimate Malaysian holiday destination, as many Malaysian people already know!

Pangkor is also a great place to fulfill your dream to wed at the beach. Play Golf on one of the two international standard golf courses just 20 minutes away from Pulau Pangkor: Damai Laut Golf & Country Club or Teluk Rubiah.

Pangkor is also an excellent option if you are come with a group for reunion parties or even team building! Explore the Wilderness has set up a range of possible activities in and around Pangkor (think for example of canoeing from Teluk Batik to Pangkor in open sea!) And with the accommodation in and around Pangkor you can be sure you will enjoy a great holiday. Check for example the Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa Damai Laut or, if you want to spend less money, the Vikri Beach Resort.

LOCATION:
Pulau Rawa (not to be mistaken by the one in Johor) is only accessible by snorkeling and diving boats, a 30-minute journey from either Perhentian Besar (Big Island) or Perhentian Kecil (Small Island).

The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian in Malay) lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil. The Perhentians belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. Like Besut, people here generally speak Kelantanese Malay.

The name "perhentian" means "stopping point" in Malay, referring to their longstanding role as a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia. The islands were sparsely inhabited by fishermen for centuries, although tourism now accounts for most economic activity.

The Perhentian Islands appear on many maps of the nineteenth and twentieth century as 'The Station Islands'. This arises from the British colonial period, as an English translation from the Malay "point to stop".

The Perhentian Islands were also used as a refuge in the late 1900s.

Perhentian Island also has a very beautiful beach call "Pasir Panjang" (Long Beach). It is located at Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian). It is a very beautiful white sandy beach, crystal clear water and it is the best place for picnic.

DESCRIPTION:
The beach is downright beautiful. Crystal-clear water, azure blue ocean, and soft powdery sands are the given attributes that make this beach one of the best within the Perhentian archipelago.

Anyway, the beach is quite small to actually cater for the arriving tourist boats. Nonetheless, I did notice that the beach was far from crowded because most of the visitors will spend the bulk of the time snorkeling in the clear waters surrounding it.

The beach also has some decent snorkeling that can be done by swimming along the rocky outcrops.

Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah[1]) is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide [1]) in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

LOCATION:
Burau Bay, or locally known as Pantai Teluk Burau, is located some 20 minutes from Langkawi International Airport (LGK) or 45 minutes from Kuah town.

The only way to get here is by taxi which can set you back RM20-RM30 each way. If you intend to circle the island of Langkawi itself, it is more cost-saving to rent a car that goes for anywhere between RM80 to RM150 per day, depending on the car model as well as the seasonal rates.

DESCRIPTION:
Burau Bay or Teluk Burau is a fairly secluded beach in Langkawi. While Burau Bay is regarded as a public beach, the crowd mostly consists of the patrons coming from either Mutiara Burau Bay Resort or Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort. These resorts flank on the opposite ends of Burau Bay.

The beach itself is very long. I estimate that it might take a 2-km walk from one end to the other. The water can be considered pleasant enough to swim in and not as murky as most other beaches in Langkawi. In fact, certain sections of the beach boast a fairly crystal-clear water which is considered a rare offering in the island of Langkawi.

The view from the beach is spectacular, with the jagged peaks of the Gunung Mat Chinchang nearby creates an awe-inspiring backdrop. A hive of water-based activities is normally conducted along the beach, mainly organised by the two resorts on Burau Bay. A number of beach chairs and umbrellas are provided on both ends of Burau Bay which are great for avid sun-worshippers.

Burau Bay is also a great location to view the sunset as well as the sunrise. It is probably one of the few beaches in Malaysia that geographically faces both the east and the west, albeit partially. During my visit, the sunset was simply breathtaking. A combination of dark blue, pink, and purple dotted the horizon, making a memorable sunset watching experience.