Is A New International Airport in Tioman The Way To Go?

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for a new international airport on Pulau Tioman has been made public and is now open for review and comments from the public - plans include 141.6ha of reclamation, moving corals, and quarrying. Pulau Tioman is known for its beautiful beaches, and the island hosts three related marine ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. Visitors head to Tioman in search of nature-related adventures, and tourism on islands has a huge economic impact and importance. But locals, environmentalists and conservationists are concerned with this proposed new airport, as they believe it will not only negatively impact the ecosystems there, but also that the existing social infrastructure is insufficient for the increased tourist numbers that will come with a new airport. Should we be investing in large-scale tourism infrastructure in this current environment, or should we be looking long term, and preparing our tourism destinations for a different reality: small groups; authentic experiences; peace and quiet? We discuss this and more with Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.

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