I CANNOT agree more with Datuk Michelle Yeoh’s comments that “Ipoh is a beautiful city, but more needs to be done to promote it” (”Yeoh urges ex-miners to invest in tourism” — NST, Oct 28).

I also agree that Ipoh needs a decent hotel that is worthy of an international-class rating as it currently caters to the lower end of the market.

However, whatever is made available for all types of budgets should be clean, efficient and worthy of a return visit.

There is plenty to do in and, especially, around Ipoh. If it seems that there is nothing much to do in Ipoh compared to Penang or Kuala Lumpur, it is only because Ipoh is not aggressively marketed.

Ipoh’s importance and growth stem from its prominence as the commercial and state capital, after this function was transferred from Batu Gajah in the 19th century. With the decline in tin and rubber production, the shine in Ipoh became somewhat less alluring and visitor numbers fell.

However, the race is now on to attract more people to Ipoh. What I worry about most is what the state tourist department and private companies perceive to be “visitor attractions”.

It is all very well to build more modern structures like theme parks, replica structures and shopping malls. With the world in economic recession, foreign visitor numbers may dwindle and the average Malaysian may be cash-strapped, too. Many will tighten their belts by spending less on non-necessities and entertainment.

There is nothing more depressing than theme parks with underutilised and dusty rides, or malls with many vacant lots.

I also fear that many of our old commercial buildings — grand mansions and humble shophouses built in the hey-day of the tin and rubber boom — will be indiscriminately knocked down to make way for modern structures. It is things like these, with their intricate plasterwork and design, that hold a particular fascination for people from overseas.

Singapore has reversed the decline in the destruction of such buildings but our state apparatus that decides on tourism and matters related seems to think otherwise.

What we need is a creative plan to save these old buildings. For instance, why can’t the state repair and preserve these structures, then maybe house cottage industry projects as a tourist attraction in them? Jobs are created, rent is collected from the entrance fee charged and an old building is protected for generations to appreciate.

Other areas that need serious consideration are: dismal service standards, unfriendly staff, poor transport links, lack of family-friendly facilities, extortionate prices and lack of basic information.

Our tourist information centre is poorly staffed. The place lacks vitality as well as interest and the front-line workers are not knowledgeable or helpful. An attitude like this is sure to put visitors off. Select suitable staff, train them to the highest standards, make sure they are multi lingual and ensure that they are aware of what Ipoh and Perak have to offer.

Transport links to Ipoh from other cities and major towns are poorly managed. The main bus station is sited at an unusual location. Train connections and times are poor and town taxis will only drive the visitor away with their exorbitant prices and non-use of the meter. Moreover, public transport within and around the city is abysmal.

Standards and provision of services in the hospitality industry, restaurants and appropriate government departments like the Immigration and Forestry, have to improve drastically if visitors are to be welcomed. The attitude the staff have to adopt is to be less provincial in manner.

The state government would do well to improve on health, hygiene and cleanliness in and around Ipoh. Our restaurants and hawker sites as well as public toilets must be clean. Our monsoon drains must not be allowed to be clogged with litter or stink to high heaven. Fly-tipping must be eradicated. Vermin infestation must also be tackled.

Facilities for the disabled visitor must be improved. These will mean constructing ramps, making sure lifts work, that pavements are on one level and passages that can take the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device are available.

Before we can seriously entice and serve the visitor to Ipoh, we must maintain our house in order. It should not be a case of build, build and build, or build bigger and bigger; it should be a case of building on our basics and getting that right first before we can boast of a better city.

MARIAM MOKHTAR, Ipoh

Source: NST – October 31, 2008