Tune Hotels celebrates Bintulu opening with no admin fee

BINTULU - The pioneering limited-service hotel chain Tune Hotels is celebrating the opening of its latest property in Bintulu by permanently eliminating the administration fee for room reservations across all of its existing 12 hotels, according to a press release.

"The New Year comes with good news for our guests as Tune Hotels is removing the 10.90-ringgit admin fee across our entire chain - for good. Guests now only pay for the room and opt for our special comfort package to enjoy greater savings.

"As we open more hotels we experience better economies of scale and become more cost efficient. We eventually found the admin fee no longer relevant and are delighted to be in a position to pass on the savings to our guests," said Tune Hotels Group CEO Mark Lankester.

Commenting on the Tune Hotel Bintulu opening, Lankester said: "Tune Hotel Bintulu is testimony to our commitment to Sarawak and we hope it will further promote and develop the state's tourism and travel industry, in particular within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

"The opening of Tune Hotel Bintulu will not only provide more convenience and comfort to tourists and holidaymakers to the 'Gas Town' but also those on business trips there.

"As we anticipate more corporate guests from the oil and gas industry, rooms at the Tune Hotel Bintulu are designed for longer stays and more living space."

Strategically located in central Sarawak, Bintulu is connected by air to Kuala Lumpur, Kuching as well other towns. It sits on the massive Trans-Borneo highway trail that links Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, presenting enormous potentials for the tourism and travel industry. Bintulu is also an important access point to Bakun, Southeast Asia's largest hydroelectric dam.

"The Similajau National Park, which is just 30 minutes away, offers nature lovers activities like jungle trekking, canopy walk and a wealth of flora and fauna. With various tribal ethnics inhibiting the Bintulu area like the Iban, Orang Ulu and Melanau, visitors will also discover a myriad of traditional and ancient cultures that are well preserved in the many villages and longhouses.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Operators refute claims diving causes coral damage near Miri and Similajau

DIVING operators in Miri are not amused over a statement that “human factors” have contributed to coral-bleaching near Miri and Similajau.

“What human factors are they talking about?” asked James Wan, owner of Planet Borneo, a popular travel agent in Miri, which organises diving activities.

James was reacting to a report by a group of eco-minded divers who reported their findings to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) after monitoring the area voluntarily for the last two years.

According to the group, coral reefs near Miri and Similajau are suffering significant coral-bleaching due to environmental and human factors.

James told StarMetro that diving was a niche market product and that divers were required to have a permit before they could pursue this underwater hobby.

“At its peak we have about 300 divers coming to Miri in a year. Otherwise, on average we have only 200 divers a year.

“If it’s true that Miri is a popular mass diving sites I will be laughing all the way to the bank by now,” he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Operators refute claims diving causes coral damage near Miri and Similajau
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Sarawak reefs under stress due to environmental and human factors

KUCHING: The coral reefs near Miri and Similajau are suffering significant coral-bleaching due to environmental and human factors.

This was discovered by a group of eco-minded divers who have been monitoring the area voluntarily for the last two years and reported their findings to Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).

SFC protected areas and biodiversity conservation general manager Wilfred Landong said various measures were recommended to tackle the bleaching but they could not be achieved overnight.

He believed that public awareness was crucial in any conservation effort along with enforcement and rehabilitation.

“Other than global warming, many factors contribute to coral-bleaching. It could be caused by destruction of habitats and pollution, which needs a long-term strategy to minimise the impact. Our conservation strategy is to get the public to assist us, thereby creating more awareness,” he said.

He said that several national parks in Sara­wak, namely Tanjung Datu, Talang-Satang, Similajau and Miri-Sibuti were gazetted for the purpose of marine conservation.

Continue reading at: Sarawak reefs under stress due to environmental and human factors
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