''The state government (Terrenganu) plans to force only accommodation of $500 USD per night on the popular diving island Redang.''
I must say, I didn't expect this - and i'm really disappointed. Malaysia government is turning Redang island into a getaway for the rich and famous!
Summarising the news article;
The state government (Terrenganu) plans to force only accommodation of $500 USD per night on the popular diving island Redang.
Existing budget, mid-rate, and expensive (in Malaysia $100+ is higher rate) accommodation will be forced to upgrade or shut down.
The state government is justifying this action on environmental grounds saying that the budget accommodation discharge sewage directly into the sea, and that it is the cause of littering.
I totally agree with you Addie - this is not the way to save the local environment - the way is through providing proper facilities (sewage, water, trash and electricity) and enforcing the existing marine park rules.
Malaysia has some much bigger environmental issues to deal with - such as - replacement of rainforest with palm oil plantations and the destruction of the mangroves.
Reply to this Knowing nothing of the specifics of this issue it seems as though there may be some ulterior motives behind this move.
However, if these measures truly are environmentally motivated, it will be very interesting to see both the short term and long term impacts of such a project.
Could this be the future of tourism/environmental management? The most beautiful and pristine destinations to become the preserve of the extremely wealthy whilst the masses are simply priced out of the market? As more and more of the planet is degraded these places will become fewer and far between and henceforth more exclusive, and more valuable.
I can see the rationale behind it; particularly if it is an issue of numbers and carrying capacity; though it also seems questionable whether a five-star hotel is less damaging to the environment than a bamboo hut...Luxury five-star oceanfront beach huts?
Reply to this exactly, sometimes it's not whether it's a 5 stars hotel or a bamboo hut, as ali mentioned it's about the way of providing proper facilites and rules enforcement. And proper education too. An approach like Sipadan would be good too - where tourists cant overnight on the island itself - or lmiting the number of visitors allow on the island each day.
Being one of those who definitely cant afford a luxurious island stay, i just feel that this decision is unfair to us, unfair to ppl that truly loves the sand and the sea. after this is implemented, they wont be able to travel to Redang anymore.
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