KUANTAN: The Pahang government plans to make the Pahang International Green Eye Squid Hunting Competition an annual event, following the success of its inaugural edition.

State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the competition, which attracted 105 anglers from across the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, also drew four participants from Japan.

"History was created in Pahang with the hosting of the international squid jigging competition at Shahbandar Jetty here. We aim to establish the Pahang International Green Eye Squid Hunting Competition as an iconic annual event on the state's tourism calendar, while putting Kuantan on the international maritime tourism map," she said in a statement.

She added that besides promoting squid jigging as a recreational and tourism activity, the competition also creates economic opportunities for the local community, including fishermen, boat operators, small traders, and tourism service providers. 

The two-day event, held last month, was organised by the Darul Makmur Fishing and Recreation Association with support from Tourism Pahang.

Leong said the Green Eye squid is known for its unique challenges and high commercial value. "It is distinguished by its striking, colourful body patterns, making it easily recognisable among other marine species, but remains difficult to catch even for experienced anglers," she said. 

The squid hunting competition has the potential to become as popular as the Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge, the country's premier fishing event held annually in the waters off Kuala Rompin.

Leong said Pahang is renowned for the beauty of its 210km coastline, stretching from Kuantan to Rompin, which makes it a highly promising maritime tourism destination. Rompin is internationally recognised as a prime location for sailfish fishing, attracting anglers from both within the country and abroad.

Source - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Pulau Tioman, Pahang, continue to face an enduring dilemma due to the absence of a commercial airport, relying solely on ferry and speedboat services for transportation. Although there is a small airport in Kampung Tekek, its dependency on light aircraft with limited flight schedules poses a serious challenge for both tourist arrivals and the movement of locals, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Tioman Airport, located next to Kampung Tekek, began operations in the late 1980s. It was designed as a short take-off and landing (STOL) airport suitable only for small aircraft, as the runway measures just 992 metres long. Due to the hilly terrain at the southern end of the island, planes can only land from the north, making landings particularly challenging. 

In the early 2000s, the airport handled over 50,000 passengers annually, but this number dropped drastically after 2014. It was reported that since October 2023, there have been no scheduled flights bringing in tourists, although staff are still stationed at the facility.  Because of this, a resident of Kampung Juara, who wished to be identified only as Ali Daud, 40, told Utusan Malaysia that despite its natural beauty and tourist appeal, Pulau Tioman still struggles with issues of accessibility and sustainable development.

He said the proposal to build a new airport,which has been discussed previously, must be revisited after being stalled for more than two decades. "Around 6.47 hectares of land at a cape between Kampung Paya and Kampung Genting was already acquired by the government around 2002 to 2003," he said. Ali acknowledged that some locals, especially from Kampung Paya and Kampung Genting, were against the idea, mainly due to long-held negative perceptions. "The new airport isn't just for tourists, it's about creating job opportunities for locals. If not now, then when?

"This isn't just for us. We want to see Tioman develop like other places. "I've been working as a boat operator and tourist guide since I was 18. The proposed site for the new airport doesn't have coral reefs, so it's not a diving spot. "An airport isn't just a physical structure; it's a symbol of transformation. With better accessibility, Tioman can compete as a world-class tourism destination while preserving its identity and cultural heritage." Source - NST

KUANTAN: The sudden decision to rename Cherating — a popular tourist destination known for its beaches — to Cerating, just months ahead of the highly anticipated Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026, is expected to negatively affect foreign tourist arrivals. Travel and tour operators, who have been actively marketing Cherating as a distinctive holiday destination in the lead-up to VMY, were caught off guard by the announcement from the Kuantan City Council less than a week ago.

Pahang's Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Chapter chairman Chea Sin Cheak said several tourism operators have voiced concerns about the abrupt name change. "Industry players are worried that this change in spelling will significantly affect tourist arrivals. The name Cherating has long been recognised, and renaming it could hinder online searches for the destination. 

"Many tourists, especially from China, are familiar with the spelling Cherating. The timing of this change is particularly unsuitable, as we are just months away from VMY 2026...it could disrupt ongoing promotional and marketing activities related to the destination," he told the New Straits Times today. Chea said that the tourism industry has consistently used the name Cherating across advertisements, promotional materials, and social media platforms, especially during travel fairs and that the sudden change feels unjust.  He said the Matta Pahang chapter will convene a meeting to gather feedback from industry stakeholders before initiating further discussions with Tourism Pahang and Pahang Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man. "We are meeting with Matta members to determine the best approach. We are in talks with stakeholders, as this name change has become an issue," he said.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is set to deepen its tourism ties with Middle Eastern nations by adopting a proven strategy pioneered by Royal Brunei Airlines, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. He highlighted the success of the airline's "Brunei + Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu" model, which offers travellers a complimentary overnight stay in Brunei before continuing on to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu.

The initiative has received encouraging market response and was recently expanded to include Kuching. "Given the strong reception, we are planning to replicate this model for the Middle Eastern and Indian markets, in partnership with Royal Brunei Airlines, to draw more international tourists to our shores," he said in a statement.