Things are looking up for Labuan though oil and gas its primary industries are now in the doldrums. Prices of these commodities will not pick up in the near future and the island is looking for an alternative source to elevate the economic activities on the island.
The immediate good news is tourists from Kunming, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan and Zhengshou, China will be heading to the island in a weekly direct flight for six months from July 15, said Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Strategic and Domestic) Chong Yoke Har who recently launched the Best of Labuan Holiday Packages 2016 at the island's Grand Dorsett Hotel.
The 16 packages in the Best of Labuan Holiday Packages 2016 were jointly worked out by Tourism Malaysia and four local travel agencies, LGM Tour & Travel, Borneo Star Dive, Destination Borneo and Jiwaja Rent A Car.
The 16 packages in the Best of Labuan Holiday Packages 2016 were jointly worked out by Tourism Malaysia and four local travel agencies, LGM Tour & Travel, Borneo Star Dive, Destination Borneo and Jiwaja Rent A Car.
Chong said each of the direct flights from China would carry some 160 tourists who have the potential to spend US$2,000 (RM8,000) each on the island that boasts of abundant attractions such as its duty free status, a marine park with rich coral and fishes, a pristine international golf club fringed by the sea, good seafood, an Unesco award winning beach, a Commonwealth War Cemetery, Peace Park and four shipwrecks for both beginners and experienced divers.
She added that Sabah handles 90 per cent of the country's direct flights from foreign countries and advised local tour agencies to work that to the advantage of Labuan.
Chong also said Labuan needs a long-term blueprint to fully develop its tourist appeal. When the Sabah State Goverment ceded Labuan to the Federal Government in 1984, among the first plans was to turn it into a tourist island. However, later rich revenues from the discovery of oil and gas and its status as an offshore island financial center diverted the attention from that.
Chong also said Labuan needs a long-term blueprint to fully develop its tourist appeal. When the Sabah State Goverment ceded Labuan to the Federal Government in 1984, among the first plans was to turn it into a tourist island. However, later rich revenues from the discovery of oil and gas and its status as an offshore island financial center diverted the attention from that.
Now that the oil prices are depressed, the Government finds the need to make the most use of Labuan's tourist attractions to boost the island's economy.
Some RM500 million was spent to upgrade the Labuan International Airport several years back with a new terminal buidling and expanded runway capable of handling long-haul flights. This should now work well with the ambitious plan to turn Labuan into another major tourist attraction.
LGM Tour & Travel (6087-453880/453881), Borneo Star Dive (6087 429278), Destination Borneo (6087 414611/417987) and Jiwaja Rent A Car (6087 451399/013 8033600) are confident the Best of Labuan Holiday Packages 2016 ranging from shopping, shipwreck dives, tour of war trails and battlefields, old coal tunnel, island hopping, golfing to snorkeling would be popular.
Borneo Star Dive's Sri Dewi Sroka, a dive instructress, said the island has some of the best ship wrecks in South East Asia. This is because of the four wrecks found in Labuan waters
are two World War II wrecks and two commercial wrecks. The World War II wrecks - the American Wreck and the Australian Wreck - with their rich marine life and war history would set the imagination of most divers afired.
The other two wrecks, the Cement Wreck and the Blue Water Wreck, from the 1980s are also an underwater oasis to experience the beauty of the underwater world.
The World War II wrecks are in 30-35m of the waters, with the shallowest point at 23m. Visibility varies from 6m to 15m depending on the weather.
For more please visit https://www.facebook.com/Borneo-Star-Dive-Sdn-Bhd-137016392987195/
One other package, the 3D2N Par-Fect Experience At LIGC gives golfers a great experience at the three year old Par 72 18-hole Labuan International Golf Club. It costs RM748 per person with a minimum of two people.
For more please visit https://www.facebook.com/Borneo-Star-Dive-Sdn-Bhd-137016392987195/
One other package, the 3D2N Par-Fect Experience At LIGC gives golfers a great experience at the three year old Par 72 18-hole Labuan International Golf Club. It costs RM748 per person with a minimum of two people.
The Island
Hoping Fun Tastic package offers snorkeling
experience at the challenging Marine Park comprising Kuraman, Rusukan Kecil, Rusukan
Besar and Papan Islands. The one-day tour is from RM1,208
per return trip with a minimum of 12 people.
In conjunction with the launch of the Best of Labuan Holiday Packages 2016, Tourism Malaysia also organised a familiarisation (fam) 3D2N tour to Labuan
for 13 local media and bloggers from 9 to 11 May 2016.
Chong Yoke Har, Deputy
General (Domestic and Strategic) Tourism Malaysia (right) and Azizah Aziz, Corporate Communications Director Tourism Malaysia
The
tour took the bloggers and reporters to Kampong Air Patau-Patau
Homestay, Labuan International Golf Club, Peace Park and Surrender
Point, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Labuan Museum, the War Cemetery, Labuan Duty Free
Shop, Tip of Labuan, Gedung Ubat and The Chimney.
