SIBU: The failure of Pandaw cruise to sustain its operation is an invaluable lesson to be learned in the tourism industry.
The cruise along the mighty Rajang River started operating in July 2009 but its operation was short-lived three years later due to the expensive rate. Most of the customers were Westerners and each passenger was charged up to RM9,000 for the cruise.
The cruise took tourists upstream to Durin, Kanowit River, Kapit, Baleh River, Pelagus Rapids and on a jungle trek in the upper reaches of the Rajang River.
For its downstream journey, the cruise took tourists to Igan River in Mukah Division and Sarikei.
Chairman of Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association, Johnny Wong yesterday blamed the exorbitant price for the failure of the cruise to continue operation.
“The price quoted was shocking. In the end, it failed to continue,” he said.
Wong brought up the subject as he talked about on how to promote tourism in the central region.
He believed that had the price being reasonable, the cruise would still be there until now.
On tourism promotion, he urged industry players to come out with something concrete so that the industry here would prosper.
“Tour operators cannot just put nice words in the newspaper. It won’t work. You need to work out something attractive that will lure visitors to the town,” he said.
