Cap airfares or increase flights, govt told
Expensive airfare is a definite factor…especially during school holidays and long weekends. The government should consider capping the upper price limit for airfares or increase flight frequencies. — Dr Hii Sui Cheng, President of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)
SIBU: The government is urged to consider capping the upper price limit for airfares or increase the flight frequencies to add excitement to Sibu’s tourism industry.
President of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Dr Hii Sui Cheng, in giving the suggestion, lamented the costly airfares during peak periods, which caused the slow-pace tourism activities here.
He was reacting to Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King’s statement, attributing pricey fares to the slow pace of the tourism industry here.
Tiong, who is Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman, said this after the ‘miring’ ceremony for Sibu International BASE Jump at the town square (phase one) here on Thursday.
“Expensive airfare is a definite a factor…especially during school holidays and long weekends. The government should consider capping the upper price limit for airfares or increase flight frequencies.
“Sibu should also increase its tourism products and improve related facilities such as accessibility to the sites and supporting amenities such as roads, toilets and eating outlets,” Hii told thesundaypost yesterday.
Tiong had also appealed to the government to support Sibu’s tourism industry by introducing cheaper airfares originating from several destinations.
He also urged the government to help in obtaining low cost flights from here to Kota Kinabalu and to Singapore.
Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association chairman Johnny Wong Sie Lee echoed Tiong’s sentiment.
“I fully support YB Datuk Tiong’s call (for cheaper airfares) because of expensive airfares, tourists will not consider coming to Sibu.
“Lowering the airfare will enable inbound tour operators to offer cheaper packages such as three days and two nights or two days and one night tours to longhouses.
“Sibu must fight hard for AirAsia to fly the KK-Sibu route and return. Inbound tour operators must promote these tours to people from our neighbouring countries such as Singapore. Due to the exchange rate they will find it cheaper to visit Sarawak,” Wong added.
Former travel agent Robert Tan, however, begged to differ because the air fare was not as expensive as it was made out to be.
“You can always buy AirAsia flights whichis about RM100 one way. On the other hand, MAS is slightly higher by about 50 per cent due to limited flights to and from KL (only two flights) compared to AirAsia’s five daily flights.
“A two-hour flight at RM100 is considered fair compared to taxi fare from the airport to the town area of RM45 one way, which only takes 25 minutes.”
Tan reckoned that SMC need to come up with more creative ideas to promote the local tourism industry.
“Tourists are those who have the money and time, so if you can draw their attention, what is airfare to them. Don’t forget Sibu offers the cheapest hotel accommodation and food.
“All you need are some experienced tour operators to guide them. Need planning, work with the airline, hotels and local travel agents.
“For example, RM100 is only US$25 or $S30. It is a matter of promotion and only those in the travel industry know how,” he added.