Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre

Recently, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas announced that the government will spend RM 13 million to upgrade the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre to be a world class tourist attraction. Read here. I have to applaud this move and hope that the allocation will really be spent into upgrading the centre.

With deteriorating conditions of many Malaysia's tourist attractions, I guess this is certainly a timely boost for the tourism sector. Just look at corals at Redang Island and the not so cold anymore Cameron Highlands. Even Genting Highlands is fast losing its appeal. I was there last week and I did not even need a sweater to wear on in contrast with 5 years back when even with a sweater on, I still shiver. I would like to think that its the current hot weather that contributed to this. But look at the bigger picture. Let say if really Genting will not be that cold anymore, will it attract as many tourists as it is now? With the emerging of Sentosa Island Casino in Singapore, even though managed by the same group, is it a question of time before Genting loses its appeal? Look around and evaluate how Malaysia's tourist attraction is doing. It's not very good in my book.

With this upgrading, the centre hopes to attract 500,000 tourists annually as oppose to 158,000 currently. The main thing is promotion. I suspect many Malaysians don't even know that we have our own elephant sanctuary. I only got to know about this sanctuary in June 2009 edition of Personal Money. Since then, I've vowed to visit this centre some time in the future.

I understand that admission to the centre is free at the moment. Since conservation is not a cheap job, I would suggest that admission be charged, let say a mere RM 10 per person. This goes a long way in showing our appreciation towards the nature and elephant conservation programmes in particular. What's RM 10 when you can get up close and personal with the elephants and ensure the sustainability of the centre?

The allocation should however really be spent in making the centre a world renowned and recognized globally. Please just don't spent the money without proper planning. Plan carefully and wisely. Malaysia is really in a need of a new world class tourist attraction. I hope this will be the one when the transformation is completed. Go and visit the centre guys!