Abandoned buildings impede Labuan tourism
Published on: Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Labuan: World tourism is an industry that does not seem to be affected by the economic crisis. However, during the same period, tourism on the duty-free island, here, has not grown significantly, as there were a number of areas left unattended.At least two well-known hotels and a food court, which were former tourist attractions, are now eyesores to visitors.
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These buildings, located at the heart of the town, have, turned the island into a seemingly "dilapidated town" when Labuan is recognised as an international business financial centre (IBFC) and known to foreign expatriates as an oil and gas hub.Local authority, Labuan Corporation (LC), had repeatedly issued statements on the Hotel Labuan, formerly owned by ex-Chief Minister of Sabah, Tan Sri Harris Salleh, and bought over by the LC, to be refurbished and turned into a hotel or government administrative building.But after nearly 10 years, the building remained the number one eyesore of Labuan.Another ill-fated hotel, Billion Resort Hotel, formerly known as Waterfront Hotel, was bought over by a local tycoon and is understood to have been taken back by a bank.
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The four-star hotel is left unattended with growing bushes and rubbish scattered all over the hotel compound. To make matters worst, the swimming pool will soon become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
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Another eyesore is the Medan Selera situated right next to a Labuan five-star hotel, Dorsett Grand Labuan, which had been left unattended for nearly six months after the RM12 million Labuan Food Court was completed.The old Medan Selera, which is also in front of the Billion Resort Hotel, looks like old wooden houses abandoned by the landlord with growing bushes and scattered pieces of rubbles.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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