ROMPIN: Expectations of a strong post-monsoon tourism rebound on Pulau Tioman here have faded, as uncertainty over fuel prices appears to have dampened travel demand.
April is usually a busy period for Damai Tioman Resort owner Syed Rizalman Syed Abu Bakar, 46, who handles bookings from holidaymakers nationwide, but this year has been markedly different.
Damai Tioman Resort owner Syed Rizalman Syed Abu Bakar said in previous years, the resort would typically receive enquiries and bookings from more than 1,000 individuals, but the figure has dropped significantly to about 400 this year.
"Bookings for diving, snorkelling and other nature-based activities during weekends, school holidays and the Aidiladha holidays have been extremely slow.
"This decline has raised concerns among operators who typically rely on this peak season for strong revenue. If the trend continues, it could affect operational planning in the coming months," he said today.
Syed Rizalman, who operates in Kampung Genting on the island, said the implementation of a tiered fuel surcharge for ferry services to the island from April 20 has added to concerns among resort and chalet operators.
"The new surcharge only began this week, and families travelling in larger groups may feel the burden as they have to pay more on top of ticket prices. "Visitor arrivals during weekends from both Teluk Gading jetty in Rompin and Mersing jetty in Johor have already been slow, and the fuel surcharge could further disrupt travel plans," he said. He said operators hope the government will introduce an appropriate economic stimulus package to encourage domestic travel.
Meanwhile, a resort operator in Kampung Salang, who wished to be known only as Salma, said visitors appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach before planning trips to the island. "People still want to travel domestically, but the fuel surcharge to Tioman may prompt them to choose other destinations. The situation now is similar to during the Covid-19 pandemic, when tourist arrivals dropped significantly," she said.
Tioman assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain said the fuel surcharge is adding to visitors' costs and expressed hope that the state government would intervene to assist or absorb the additional charges. Meanwhile, Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said matters concerning the newly implemented ferry fuel surcharge, as well as assistance for tourism industry players affected by rising fuel prices, will be discussed at the state executive council meeting today. Starting April 20, the Transport Ministry implemented a targeted nationwide fuel surcharge mechanism on ferry services to help offset rising diesel costs. Source - NST
