Positive Spillover From Singapore Move To Have Casino
Johor expects to enjoy the spillover, especially in terms of a rising number of tourists, from an integrated resort containing a casino to be built in Singapore.State Tourism and Environment Committee Chairman Freddie Long said more tourists coming to Singapore meant more opportunities for Johor to entice them to visit the state.
Describing the situation as a "bigger cake", he said: "Let them gamble and watch the (cabaret) shows but after that they can come to Johor for its eco-tourism and adventure and savour authentic Malaysian food."He was commenting on Singapore's plan to build a multi-billion Singapore dollar resort, including a casino, after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between KPJ Healthcare Berhad and Rumah Sakit Harapan Bunda of Batam, here Thursday.
Long also said that budget airline AirAsia had agreed to resume its Johor Baharu-Jakarta flight that was terminated last year for lack of aircraft."AirAsia will probably resume the service in August with a daily flight," he said.Long said the resumption of the flight came in the wake of a series of discussions between the state government, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and the airline's management.
"The Johor Baharu-Jakarta route is profitable for any airline operating it because the load factor reaches 68 to 70 per cent for each flight," he said.The state government was also in discussion with several foreign airlines, including one from Macau, to have flights to the Senai International Airport, he said.
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2005-05-12
