MALAYSIA’S travel trade is divided on the likely impact of the recent Bertam Valley mud flood on visitorship to Cameron Highlands in the coming weeks.
Operators of the hydro-electric Sultan Abu Bakar Dam in Ringlet Cameron Highlands had opened a gate to release water in order to prevent the dam from bursting after continuous rain from the day before, but instead caused a mud flood that has since claimed three lives.
The incident also coincides with the rainy season, traditionally a period of low arrivals to the area.
Casa Dela Rosa Hotel Cameron Highlands’ operation manager, Benjamin Jayaraya, said there have been cancellations since the mud flood on October 23, and room occupancy has dipped below 40 per cent, a historic low as weekends usually see occupancies hovering in the 80s to 90s range.
“It is too early to predict how bookings will be for the year-end school holidays. It is still not strong. Occupancies next week for the Deepavali and Awal Muharram public holidays may indicate how it goes for the year-end period. The current rainy season might be discouragement to some travellers.”
Local and foreign travellers alike might be cautious of the recurrence of a similar tragedy in the rainy season, said Andy Muniandy, director of sales and business development at Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel.
He expects a 10 per cent drop in FIT and local groups to Cameron Highlands for the year-end.
But others TTG Asia e-Daily spoke to are more optimistic. Ganneesh Ramaa, manager of Luxury Tours Malaysia, said it is “business as usual” as the main tourist attractions are near or within Tanah Rata and Brinchang towns, which are not near the scene of the flood.
Leonard Francis, resort manager at Cameron Highlands Resort, said his property is a distance from the affected area and occupancies have not been affected.
He said the resort was running at almost full occupancy last week and bookings for the upcoming public holidays high, while reservations for the year-end are “looking good”.
