JOHOR lies at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia surrounded by the Straits of Malacca on the west coast, the South China Sea on the east coast and the Straits of Johor separated from Singapore. Johor has a land area of 18,841 sq.km and it is the third largest state of Malaysia with its population of 2.56 million embraces multi- races. Malay are majority, Chinese and Indian are minority. Official language is Malay but more Malaysians are able to communicate fluently in English. Malaysian Chinese speak, English, Mandarin and local dialects. Official religion is Islam but other religions such as Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity are allowed to practise freely. Johor Bahru is the capital of the state. Sultan is the Head of state but the state government is the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister). With its abundant of natural resources, richness of cultural, historical, religious heritages and hot-spot tourist sites, festival, budget meals of varieties in food Courts, convenient shopping malls offering variety of necessities and items with affordable price as well as amazing nightlife with exciting entertainments luring international visitors travelling to Johor by air (via Sultan Ismail Airport to the Senai Airport), sea, rail and road.
Johor Sustainable Tourism products are customised to cater various purposes of visitors such as shopping tourism for shoppers, golfing tourism for golfers, and leisure tourism for mass market (leisure, food and fruits) and niche market for heritage, cultural and nature -lovers. Traffic flow was unsmooth during the weekend and Public Holiday but it will not deter its neighbouring country -Singaporeans going to Johor by road via Singapore-Johor Crossway for shopping and entertainments, meals in term of current exchange rate. The following main tourism products are highlighted in vibrant Johor state.
CULTURAL TOURISM -MALAYA VILLAGE AND MUSEUM
Visitors can first choose to visit Malay Village and get to know the villagers who are kind, helpful and hospitable to welcome you. You will be inspired to know more their lifestyle and enjoy their traditional and cultural dances particularly origin Zapin of Malay dance in Muar. Masjid Jamek, Sutlan Ismail and Masjid Jamek Dato' Bentara Luar are popular mosques to visit. You will be delighted by visiting Bugis community and Museum in Pontain district where explores the culture, history and lifestyle of Malay and display the artifacts, anecdotes and Currency.
CHINATOWN & CHINESE FESTIVALS
Tour to Chinese Village in Batu Phat district will enrich you with knowledge of local Chinese 'daily lifestyle and community spirits. You can enjoy sea breeze and sea waves with a nearly popular Taoist Temple. Continuously visit the fishing village built on stilt is a Kukup, a coastal area in the Pontian district with mangrove swamp and fresh seafood. The Majority of Chinese are Taoism and Buddhism followers and devotees. There are popular temples in Batu Pahat district such as Tien How Long temple in Jalan Fatimah, Tua Pek Kong in Tongkang Pecah and Kian Nam Sze temple in Bukit Pasir providing worship for prayers, devotees and wishers. A Sain Kong temple in Bakri was even awarded a wining of landscape. Some important Chinese festivals such as Chinese Lunar Chinese New Year festival , Dumping festival, Hungry Ghosts festival, Moon Cake festival and Winter festival. The old Chinese temple organizes annual Chingay procession of devotees with various cultural display and acrobatic acts to celebrate auspicious night and commemorate the birth of Chinese deities.
HERITAGE TOURISM
Johor Bahru and Kota Tinggi district are inherited a large heritages, such as unique causeway, pre-war shop house and monuments. One of buildings is Sultan Abu Bakar Musum displays royal heirlooms and other valuables. The palace was one the official residence of the Sultan of Johor but it is now for state ceremonies, investitures and receptions. Kota Tinggi district offers many tourist attractions such as waterfall, fireflies, recreational forest and sumptuous seafood
AGRO-TOURISM / ECO-TOURISM
Many agriculture based products - palm oil, rubber and tea plantation, orchids and fruits like durian and pineapple and the world's largest arowana farm have been converted into tourist attractions as agro-tourism. Main attractions can be found in districts of Segamnet, Kluang and Batu Pahat. Veterinary Museum with related tourism offers farm stay and camping for students and agriculture lovers for practical exposures in real situation by visiting bee apiaries, palm oil holding, vegetable farms, sugar processing, souvenir and cottage industry. Nasuha Herbs & Spices Farm is a wonderful agro-tourism destination, planted with over 130 species of herbs and spices with a research and development Centre, processing factory and facilities for therapeutic farm stay.
Nature treasure house, the Endau Rompin National Park in Mersing district are regarded as an eco-tourism destination filled with endemic plants and swampy heath forest, endangered animal like Sumatra rhinoceros, species of birds, fishes and geological puzzle like 248 million year old rocks and waterfalls. It is also an open university for nature research. Others are Gunung Ledang in Muar district and Pulau Kukup in Pontian district.
MARINE TOURISM (UNDERWATER)
Mersing and Kota Tinggi are two of twelve beaches, a crystal sandy beach having a long coastline overlooking the South China Sea are suitable to underwater explorers and game anglers. Mersing is designated marine parks with huge aquarium for a panoramic view of the underwater marine life particularly the corals and colourful inhabitants. The far flung island are popular scuba diving spots. There are various holiday resorts offering an affordable price with various activities to enable you to have an exciting holidays such as Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach & Spa, explore outdoor and indoor activities, waters sports to fulfil your leisure or business purposes and memorable retreats.
MEETING INCENTIVE CONVENTION EXHIBITION (MICE) TOURISM
Johor Bahru district offers MICE tourism covering wide range of meeting or seminar rooms, exhibition hall with capacity accommodation 2500 guests. Banquet or ballrooms can accommodate over 2000 guests. International cuisines are provided and supplementary tour package for delegates, participants and their families are available.
GOLFING TOURISM
Johor is a golfers' paradise. There are 15 golf courses. A number of courses were designed by famous golfers. You can choose for night golfing at a selected courses and some resorts offer suites, spas, delicious cuisines and luxurious facilities and meeting facilities for golfers and family for package tour.
GASTRONOMIC TOURISM
As an invited guest by Malaysia Tourism office in Singapore, attended the Food festivals held in Johor Bahru where exhibited many states' traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian cuisines tropical fruits - such as Durian and Pineapple with variety of show attract many international and local visitors as shown in Photo 4 & 5
SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT TOURISM
Hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores and integrated shopping malls are located at Johor Bahru offering a variety of merchandises. Some of centres have products demonstrations and cultural performance. A shopping centre in Duty free Zone offers duty free goods, a modern equipped hotel, a floating seafood restaurants, and discotheque musical lounge and an open air local delicacies food centre. Pubs, cafes discotheques, live music classical dance, cultural shows and night markets will enable visitors enjoying the wonderful nightlife. Entertainment facilities that will keep you occupied the entire length of your trip.
THEMPARKS (LEGOLAND and HELLO KITTY TOWN)
LEGOLAND is packed full of family fun with more than 40 rides, shows and attractions.Another Thempark is Sanrio Hello Kitty Town located at Puteri Harbour Indoor Family Theme Park | Puteri Harbour, Johor Bahru 79000, Malaysia, covering various walk through attractions, interactive activities and rides which fellow Kitty theme. Black Wonder and Wishful Studio are highlighted. Thomas Town provides a wide range of fun activities for the entire family.
TIPS
Temperature: Tropical climate. Monsoons season from Dec-Jan, certain rural areas may be flooded blocking the road traffic flow
Currency: ringgit (Malaysian currency)
VIEWPOINTS
Johor's rapid urban development and stable economic growth are amazing. It is regarded as a safe state as Malaysians in Johor has been living harmoniously and cohesively regardless of their races, languages and religion. Johor Tourism Department with its brand 'Truly Asia, Malaysia' has worked with industry partners (hotels, resorts, attractions, travel agents, F&B and Medias) to actively promote its sustainable tourism to draw more international visitors.In addition, Johor Iskandar industrial and commercial Park has also attracted many foreign investors. Johor has a strategic geographical location with tropical climate, tropical rainforests and nature-beauty to enable visitors to enjoy a respite at any of tourist hot attractions and get some fresh air and be recharged their minds and bodies. Experience a sunset, beach walk and visitors will be happy to have unobstructed views of the coastline break from the urban buzz.Discover the wonder and enjoy a panoramic views of the landscape such as blue skies, greenery and building. Admire the sea view of a waterfront promenade. Take relaxing strolls and refresh sea breeze, appreciate tranquillity and the serenity of the countryside. During sunset hours, streak of pink, orange, lilac and blue will be painted across the sky. Dine and taste local traditional, delicious seafood, tropical and seasonal fruits at Johor Bahru exotic night market and purchase artistic, creative ceramic and handcrafts as well as designer fashion at shopping malls.More information can be found at website: www.tourism.johor.my.