Betting on Singapore visitors

2008/11/04

MALACCA: It is going to be "an eye for an eye" for Malacca soon.

When the Eye On Malaysia here officially opens for business on Saturday at the Sungai Melaka rivermouth, the people behind this project along with the state government will be keeping a close eye on Singapore.

They rationalise that it is the Singaporeans who are going to take the Eye on Malaysia here to greater heights.

The more Singaporeans make a beeline for the historical city, the more the state and the project's other stakeholders are going to earn in revenue.

Eye On Malaysia chief operating officer Adam Yong Abdullah said their biggest market would comprise Singaporeans and Malaysians, followed by Indonesians and other foreigners visiting the state.

"We understand that Singapore has the tallest Ferris wheel in the world and a ride costs about RM80 per person. It will set a family of five back at least RM400 and for that amount, they can get a better deal here."

Yong added that many Singaporeans loved "hanging out" here during the weekends and school holidays.

Other attractions planned include a Malaysian International Space Adventure exhibit, the Strange World Screen (the world's largest water screen), two world-class restaurants -- the Eye Cafe and The Eye Seafood Restaurant -- and an entertainment park.

For the first year, Yong said 700,000 visitors were expected. "We would be happy with this figure, but the timing of the opening of the Eye is also important, as it is during the end of the year.

"For those in the tourism industry, the year-end school holiday period is the busiest time."

The Ferris wheel will be run by Eye On Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between MST AD Suria and Kumpulan Melaka Bhd, the investment arm of the state government.

The investment here costs some RM50 million, including the RM6 million spent to buy the land on which the entertainment park site will be built.

Source: NST

Free ride on Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel in Malacca

2008/11/04

MALACCA: Free rides are in store for all with the launch of Eye on Malaysia Malacca on Saturday by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Standing 60m tall, the Eye will give riders a view of the World Heritage City of Malacca on one side and the Straits of Malacca on the other.

The Eye, which was moved from Kuala Lumpur's Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, has now found its permanent home at the Sungai Melaka rivermouth.

The free rides will begin after the launching ceremony at 9.45pm. The offer will end at 11.30pm and will be conducted on a first-come first-served basis.

Singer Ning Baizura is slated to perform at the launch.

Source: NST

The Eye looks set to stay by the lake in KL

Wednesday January 2, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: If Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor has his way, the Eye on Malaysia will be another icon of Kuala Lumpur, standing tall and proud along with the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the KL Tower.

Realising how popular the tourist attraction by the Tasik Titiwangsa has become over the past year, the Tourism Minister plans to keep it there, with the help of City Hall.

“When we were planning to bring in the facility for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, I was told that the projected number of visitors was 300,000. However, by September, some one million people have visited the Eye on Malaysia.

“This shows visitors are attracted to it and it would be a good idea to have it as a permanent fixture for tourists. However, we will have to discuss with the City Hall as the site where the wheel stands belongs to the authority,” he said.

A new icon: The Eye of Malaysia at Tasik Titiwangsa, with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. By September, some one million people had visited the tourist attraction that was launched in January last year.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after presenting cash to students who excelled in their UPSR and PMR examinations, Tengku Adnan said several other matters needed to be sorted out, including the dispersal of traffic and basic facilities such as parking and toilets.

“We will also have to look into the concerns voiced by people living nearby. Their complaints are mostly about the traffic so we have to find a way to solve this.

“Having the Eye on Malaysia permanently will be good for the tourism industry. We hope to work out something so that it remains here,” he said, adding that the attraction would be available until August.

On another matter, Tengku Adnan said his ministry had directed the organisers of Malaysia International Space Adventure (Misa) to include more interactive features to the exhibition, adding that discussions were also being held with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to invite Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to share his experience with visitors.

He said the number of visitors to the exhibition had yet to reach 5,000 daily, due mainly to the location and transport problems.

Currently, Misa received about 1,200 visitors every day, he said, adding that not many people were interested in an exhibition that was educational in nature.

“We are tying up with tour operators to include Misa as part of their visit to Putrajaya. We have also distributed 10,000 tickets to residents to encourage students and youngsters to learn more about space,” he said.

Source: The Star

Eyeing a new KL icon

Tuesday January 1, 2008
MYT 4:28:28 PM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor is hoping to make the Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel a permanent fixture here, where the icon will stand tall and proud alongside the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the KL Tower.

Realising how popular the tourist attraction by the Titiwangsa Lake has become over the past year, the Tourism Minister plans to keep it there, with the help of City Hall.

"When we were planning to bring in the facility for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007, I was told that the projected number of visitors was 300,000. However, by September, some one million people had visited the Eye on Malaysia.

"This shows visitors are attracted to it and it would be a good idea to have it as a permanent fixture for tourists. However, we will have to discuss this with City Hall as the site where the wheel is located belongs to the authority," he said.

Speaking to reporters after presenting cash to students who excelled in their UPSR (Ujian Pernilaian Sekolah Rendah) and PMR (Penilaian Menengah Rendah) examinations on Tuesday, Tengku Adnan said the ministry would manage the facility and would be holding discussions with City Hall on the matter.

He said apart from having City Hall agree to the site being used for Eye on Malaysia, several other matters needed to be sorted out, including the dispersal of traffic and basic facilities such as parking and toilets.

"We will also have to look into the concerns voiced by people residing nearby. Their complaints are mostly about the traffic so we have to find a way to solve this.

"Having the Eye on Malaysia permanently will be good for the tourism industry. We hope to work out something so that it remains here," he said, adding that in the meantime, the facility would be available until August.

Source: The Star