Tiger Park in Georgetown/ 槟城建老虎公园?

I am one of those against the proposed Tiger Park in Georgetown. The 40-hectare allocation is too small an area for a big animal like the tiger. It will not be a “wow” factor in its attempt to keep the tourist dollars flowing. It is an ill-conceived eco-tourism development.

Penang has many tourist attractions: food, arts, multiracial culture, beaches, shopping and its World Herritage status.

When I was the chairman of the Johor Tourism Committee, I noticed at the international level, Penang or Georgetown has instant name recognition. It is not difficult to promote Penang.

Many Europeans, Middle East and China tourists like Penang that has the appeal of a tropical island. What is lack is continuous promotion and marketing upgrading of tourist facilities and good tourist package.

There is lack of cultural activities at night. There is no attempt to twin with other nearby island and to create convenient package like Bangkok and Saigon.

There are enough eco-tourism sites from Penang hill to Pulau Jerejak. More should be done to promote home stay programme in the suburb of the city, like in Balik Pulau with its fruit farms.

A Tiger Park of 40-hectare is too small to create any impact. Looking after big animal in a man-make setting is difficult. It will just become a zoo. There are already many zoos in our country.

If the state government is serious, then it should think of a night safari with other added attractions. Just depending on the tiger will not work. The tiger will only be at ease in its national habitat – the forest, not a man-made environment.

有人建议在槟城乔治市建“老虎公园”，引起许多人反对，包括我，因为面积40公顷的土地不足以容纳如老虎般的大型动物？这个想法，我只能说是拙劣的生态旅游构思，并不能刺激当地的旅游观光收入。

其实，槟城本身已有很多观光卖点：美食、艺术、多元种族文化、海滩、购物以及它的世界文化遗产地位。

我在99年出任柔佛旅游委员会主席，当时，槟城或乔治市已享誉国际。所以，要进一步推广槟城的旅游并非难事。

热带岛屿风光让让许多欧洲、中东及中国游客情倾槟城。当下缺乏的是持续性的旅游推广和行销计划，以及进一步提升旅游设施，推出更具吸引力的旅游配套。

此外，我发现槟城缺乏夜间文化活动。该州政府可尝试与邻近的岛屿或城市合作，推行类似槟城－曼谷或胡志明市双的双城旅游配套。

生态旅游已成为时下其中一个旅游热卖项目。其实，从槟城山岛区到木寇山一带，有很多可以进行生态旅游的景点。我认为当局可在有关地带，大力推行民宿计划，以生产水果和农场见称的浮罗山背就是一个最佳地点。

占地40公顷的老虎公园规模太小，无法发挥强大的吸引力。更何况，在人造公园饲养和看管体积庞大的动物，是相当困难的工作。最终，这个老虎公园可能变成动物园。但我国现已有很多动物园，何须再增加一个。

如果州政府认真发展旅游也，可考虑建立一个夜间动物园（night safari）。只有老虎的公园起不了作用，老虎最适合在大自然森林中生活，而不是受困在人造的园林。