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The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Rejuvenating island from the ground up
PULAU Tanjung Surat in Kota Tinggi, Johor, may not appear on most tourist maps but over the years, the island has been attracting foreign and local visitors including researchers, thanks to its mangrove forest. Located just off the southeastern coast of Johor, the island sits in Sungai Johor, about 70km from Johor Baru. It is accessible via a short boat ride from the Tanjung Belungkor jetty, which is about 90 minutes from the capital city. What awaits is not a resort but something far more enriching. A Pulau Tanjung Surat fisherman showing samples of his catch. The mangrove forest has resulted in a proliferation of fish, crabs and other sea creatures in local waters. Pulau Tanjung Surat is a living example of how a small community can drive environmental change, restore ecosystems and build a sustainable local economy from the ground up. Over the last few years, the island has emerged as a symbol of grassroots conservation, thanks to the unwavering efforts of its villagers. These efforts were recognised earlier this year when the island was chosen to host delegates during the Asean Tourism Forum, a nod to its growing reputation as a model for ecotourism. Badariah holding the jeruju leaf and mangrove saplings. Behind the polished presentations and accolades lies a story that began with a simple yet powerful idea of planting mangrove trees which could save both the environment and the community. Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (PSHBPTS) members, who are villagers, have been planting mangrove trees as part of their conservation efforts to protect the island's ecosystem. To date, PSHBPTS has planted over 84,000 mangrove trees within the island coastlines since its inception in 2018. The group is still growing and actively planting mangrove trees. Its chairman Badariah Ayob, 50, said the idea of planting mangrove trees on the island came from previous penghulu mukim Azmir Mad Razuki, who kick-started the initiative. 'He called a meeting with us villagers and told us about planting mangrove trees, not only to rehabilitate the island's ecosystem but also as a means for us to generate income. 'Initially, many of us found the idea of planting trees a bit strange because we assumed that mangrove trees grew on their own,' she said. Badariah said Azmir did not give up on urging the villagers to learn about the environmental importance of mangrove trees. Handicraft products made by villagers such as the 'bubu' crab trap are among the souvenirs available at Galeri Bakau. As a result, about 40 villagers attended a course in Kuala Gula, Perak, on how to plant and cultivate mangrove trees. 'We went there to learn from the experts. However, when we came back, only 27 started planting mangrove trees,' said Badariah. 'About a year later, these villagers formed PSHBPTS, which is registered with the Registrar of Societies.' Armed with their acquired knowledge, the villagers began planting mangrove saplings along the coast and in abandoned ponds. Badariah said they learned how to care for the fragile seedlings, create nurseries and track growth cycles. With mangrove trees planted by the group, the once-degraded shorelines now hum with life. 'The mangrove forest is now more than just a buffer against storms. 'It has become very important to us villagers in generating income. 'The trees are doing well in seven ponds and in our nursery. We always work hard to ensure they are healthy,' she said, adding that PSHBPTS had since partnered with private corporations, government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to fund and expand its work. Badariah also said that ecotourism on the island was now thriving with visitors from universities, schools and NGOs coming regularly for guided tours, mangrove-planting events and educational workshops. 'Some come from Singapore as they are curious to see how we do it. They want to learn and some want to help.' PSHBPTS now supplies saplings to other places in Johor such as Muar, Mersing, Tanjung Langsat, and to states like Perak, Selangor and Penang, she said. 'There are 17 species of mangrove trees in Malaysia and in Pulau Tanjung Surat, we have nine of them,' she added. Badariah said the group also saw economic potential in the jeruju (Acanthus spp.) – a type of mangrove with medicinal properties. Its leaves are dried, packaged and sent to a factory in Perak to be turned into herbal tea, coffee and soap. 'Every week, we send between 10 to 20kg of dried jeruju leaves. Visitors love the tea and often buy it to take home.' Badariah said with the mangrove forest, eroded land had stabilised, while creatures such as birds, crabs, fish and sea cucumbers had returned in large numbers. 'Our sea cucumbers are big and in demand. Fishermen catch about 200 to 300 of them, freeze them and sell them to visitors. 'Some villagers have found new income by processing the sea cucumbers, which are smoked, dried or cooked into nourishing soups, rich in protein and collagen. 'These sea cucumbers are good for skin and joints. Some even say it keeps you looking young,' she said. According to Badariah, the impact of the mangrove to the villagers is undeniable – what was once a remote island with limited opportunities is now a hub of environmental innovation and hope. 'Twenty years ago, sending our children to university was just a dream but now, because of the mangroves and sea cucumbers, it has become a reality,' she said. Villager Hasan Kasin, 55, said he was proud of the island's progress, affirming that the mangrove forest had made their lives better. He said working with other villagers to plant mangrove trees made it easier. Besides planting mangrove trees, Hasan also makes bubu – a traditional bamboo crab trap, which he sells as souvenirs to visitors. 'Many people from outside Kota Tinggi know where Pulau Tanjung Surat is, but those living nearby on the mainland are unsure where the island is.' He said he was sure that with time, the mangrove forests would put the island on Johor's tourism map.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tourism players encouraged to offer niche packages for Visit Malaysia 2026
Golfing is one of the top trending niche tourism products that many destinations around the world are promoting. — Pixabay Tourism Malaysia has encouraged all states to introduce new tourism packages, including niche interest-based options, in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Its deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said this initiative is crucial to attract both domestic and international tourists, while positioning Malaysia as a preferred travel destination. 'To ensure VM2026 succeeds, I urge all parties to support this campaign as a national mission by introducing new tourism products in their respective states. 'Priority should be given to preparing for domestic and international visitors by improving infrastructure, cleanliness, and developing new tourism packages, including those based on special interests,' he told reporters after officiating the Tourism Malaysia Engagement Session with Penang's tourism industry players recently. Yeoh added that such packages would not only diversify Malaysia's tourism offerings but also attract travellers with specific interests such as ecotourism, health tourism, cultural heritage, and agritourism. He emphasised the need to improve connectivity from second- and third-tier cities through strategic collaboration with the Transport Ministry and airline companies to increase routes and flight frequencies from key markets. The Penang engagement session was the 11th one held, following similar sessions done in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Pahang, Perak, and Kedah. These sessions aim to provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and strengthen preparations for VM2026. Yeoh said the campaign aligns with Malaysia's role as Asean chair this year, presenting an opportunity not only to showcase the nation's tourism appeal but also to demonstrate our leadership in regional tourism development. He said that the Asean Tourism Forum held in Johor in January marked the beginning of Malaysia's international tourism promotion. The country will also host two major global events – the World Tourism Conference and World Tourism Day – in Melaka this September. As of February, Malaysia recorded 6.7 million foreign arrivals, a 31.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The government has set a target of 45 million tourist arrivals and RM270bil in tourism revenue for 2025. 'A total of RM400mil has been allocated for the VM2026 campaign, covering marketing, promotion, and the organisation of key events. In addition, RM130mil in grants will support tourism industry growth through initiatives such as the Travel Promotion Matching Grant, Tourism Sector Support Grant, and Charter Flight Matching Grant,' he said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 3,000 delegates expected for World Tourism Day and conference this September
LANGKAWI: More than 3,000 delegates from 159 countries are expected to converge in Melaka for World Tourism Day (WTD) and the World Tourism Conference (WTC), scheduled to take place from Sept 27 to 29. Both events, themed 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation', are set to enhance Malaysia's standing as a global tourism hub. Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar said the two high-impact international events would help strengthen the country's tourism industry. "In January, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) successfully hosted the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 in Johor, marking a pivotal moment in promoting Malaysia on the world stage. "Following that, WTD and WTC will take place in Melaka this September," he said during an engagement session and symbolic flag handover ceremony for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, held at Parkroyal Langkawi Resort here today. The ceremony was officiated by the state's Economic Planning Division director, Junaidi Abdul Rani. First introduced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, World Tourism Day is celebrated on Sept 27 each year. It aims to recognise the contributions and significance of tourism in shaping global social, cultural, political and economic values, as well as its role in the future of sustainable energy.
