IPOH: Pulau Pangkor’s new duty-free island status, effective yesterday, is expected to boost tourist arrivals.
State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Tan Kar Hing said the status would encourage more tourists to visit the island resort.
Without elaborating, Tan said tourist arrivals to Pulau Pangkor declined in the last five years but he was confident that the duty-free status would boost its tourism sector.
“We view Pulau Pangkor’s new duty-free status as an interesting development. We expect it will help the island to regain its popularity.”
On the island’s infrastructure, Tan said the Perak government would invite the private sector to invest in building a shopping mall and a three-star hotel.
The state government planned to upgrade ferry services to cater to more passengers in addition to the island’s iconic pink taxis.
Tan said in terms of ferry and taxi services, there was a sub-committee to handle the matter, including providing financial assistance in the form of loans to taxi operators and associations, as well as issuing licences to more ferry operators. --Bernama