UPGRADING OF BATU CAVES PRODUCTS

K Mayen, founding member of the association, feels that immediate action must be taken to upgrade all the facilities around Batu Caves if tourism is to be sustainable here. Having operated a bed & breakfast here for the last 15 years, Mayen feels that the local government must do something about the river adjacent to Batu Caves which are being used by devotees during Thaipusam. Retail outlets at the caves must also be upgraded to cater for international tourists streaming in large number to the place on a daily basis. Tourist must also be able to sample local delicacies such as Malay kueh and buy local handicrafts near the caves.

Mayen, who also provide a coach and tour guide service, feels that there should be other interesting attraction in this area so that more tourist will be attracted to visit Batu Caves especially during Thaipusam. Millions of tourists visit Batu Caves each year and upgrading of facilities here must be done immediately. (Mayen can be reached at 019 3598347 or email mayen333@yahoo.com)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009

The association will hold its 20th AGM on Saturday 28 February 2009 at 1000 hrs at Pyramid Tower Hotel, Bandar Sunway. As usual the AGM will take stock of the activities carried out last year and find new way forward. There will be an election of new office bearers. All members are welcomed. For further information please call: 012-3540911.

STUDY TOUR - TAMIL NAIDU/KERALA

A delegation of 8 members will leave for Tiruchiappali on 17 February for a 7 day tour of Tamil Naidu. The group headed by Khaja Maricar will visit Pondicherry, Madurai, Kovalam, Cochin, Mysore, Bangalore and Chennai.

For STA India epitomizes the Asia experience which brims over with bizarre rituals and holds a wealth of temples, ruined cities and dramatic landscapes. The group is pretty excited about this trip as some are doing it for ther first time in their life.

The southern tip of India has quite different feel of the north because it is less crazy and intense than the rest of the country. There will be one day emersion exercise at the most famous beach resort of Kovalam and a day of shopping in Chennai before leaving home on 23 February. STA wish the group every success and a safe trip to India. Bon voyage.......

WELCOME

Thank you for visiting us at STA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of tourism in Selangor. Our members are people from all classification of the industry, mainly in the private sector. To be a member you just need to sms your full name as in the. i.c. and your postal address to 012-3540911. It is as simple as that...no filling up of forms or the savvy online registration.

Formed in 1990 and officiated by Menteri Besar Dato Muhammad bin Muhd Taib, we organise fam trips to the various tourist attractions in the state, hotel inspection, theme park visits and quarterly outdoor trips to the districts. We also organise public seminars and discussions on the various issues affecting the industry today. Twice a year we organise study tours outside Malaysia. We have covered most parts of Asean, Japan, China and Australia. We are hoping to go to Tamil Naidu in February.

If you are reading this posting, we would appreciate your comments so that STA can continue to grow and play a meaningful role in the development of the industry in Selangor.