MELAKA: The ban on tourism activities since last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a very bad impact on the country's tourism sector.
Two of Melaka's tourist attractions, the Melaka Crocodile and Recreational Park and the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary that were usually packed with tourists on weekends have not been spared and are struggling to deal with the consequences of the pandemic.
With Phase One of the movement control under the National Recovery Plan currently underway, both sanctuaries have decided to bank on offering virtual guided tours as an alternative form of tourism to home-bound Malaysians, many of whom have not been able to satisfy their wanderlust since the pandemic began.
Melaka Crocodile and Recreational Park general manager Ahmad Syarifuddin Mohamad said they began experimenting with virtual tours since last June 12 after receiving requests from viewers who reacted excitedly to the Facebook Live videos featuring some of the park's inhabitants that the sanctuary uploaded.
"We have only featured some animals at the park, but now we are considering a more comprehensive session after receiving a significant number of requests from viewers.
"The virtual tour is held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 2.30 pm and viewers need to register and pay RM7 before being given a link to our YouTube account," he told Bernama here yesterday.
Ahmad Syarifuddin said the response has been very encouraging with hundreds of viewers at any one time, including from Singapore and Indonesia.
He said the virtual tour brings viewers around the Melaka Crocodile and Recreational Park, which has attractions such as miniatures of iconic buildings in Malaysia, reptiles like snakes and terrapins, as well as mammals like raccoons.
He said the park has 100 crocodiles of four species, comprising the Saltwater, Siamese, Gharial and the Caiman, which is from Central and South America.
"In addition to showing the animals' daily activities in the park, such as how crocodiles eat, we also provide tips to viewers on what to do should they bump upon the wildlife in their natural habitat," he said.
Meanwhile, the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary is using the Zoom platform to promote its virtual tours to ensure the sanctuary is able to survive the current situation after not being allowed to operate following the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Its manager, Qurratu Ain Rohaminordin said the sanctuary offers virtual tours where participants would be taken on a tour of the park and watch the butterflies and reptiles online for about an hour.
She said the ticket for the virtual tours, which is held every Thursday and Friday starting at 3 pm and at 11 am on Sunday, is prized at RM6 per family.
"The sanctuary has also introduced a chat programme, Sembang Fauna, that airs live on Saturday at 11 am with interesting topics, such as the crocodile as an apex predator.
"Sembang Fauna has a documentary concept and provides information and facts on the topics discussed. The programme is for about an hour. We are offering tickets at a promotional price of RM15 per family," she added.
She said there is also a chat session for participants to share and exchange information on caring for butterfly cocoons under the butterfly adoption programme.
"There are many challenges that we have to face while operating the virtual product, especially from the aspect of broadband coverage because MBRS is located in hilly areas and surrounded by forests, apart from our staff having to be multitaskers as we operate virtually at a very low cost," she said.
Meanwhile, marketing executive Juwairiyah Hashim said she was also involved in the Sembang Fauna programme in her role as Butterfly Princess, who is the guardian of the butterflies.
She said the Butterfly Princess would appear on the programme for about 10 minutes to give a brief explanation on caring for the butterfly cocoons and pupae.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Jun 28 2021
![Sanctuaries in Melaka turn to virtual guided tours to generate income Sanctuaries in Melaka turn to virtual guided tours to generate income](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/61624844667_KakitanganTamanBua.jpg)
Melaka Crocodile and Recreation Park staff exhibited a python named "Hercules" more closely directly to online visitors in conjunction with the virtual tour. BERNAMApic
![Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723677980_MounirNasraoui.jpg)
Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan
Mounir Nasraoui, bapa kepada Lamine Yamal, ditikam pada lewat Rabu di tempat letak kereta di bandar Mataro di timur laut Sepanyol.
Putin anggap rundingan dengan Ukraine tidak berguna
Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin menyifatkan, tindakan Ukraine yang menyerang orang awam memperlihatkan keengganan Kyiv menyelesaikan konflik peperangan dua negara dengan cara perdamaian.
Fadillah tiba di Peru, hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024
Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tiba Lima, Peru bagi menghadiri Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Tenaga (EMM) di bawah Kerjasama Ekonomi Asia Pasifik (APEC) yang berlangsung selama dua hari.
BNM denda Maybank RM4.32 juta, CIMB RM760,000 berikutan gangguan perkhidmatan berpanjangan
Bank Negara Malaysia mengenakan Penalti Monetari Pentadbiran (AMP) sebanyak RM4.32 juta ke atas Malayan Banking Bhd dan Maybank Islamic Bhd serta RM760,000 ke atas CIMB Bank Bhd dan CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd susulan gangguan beberapa perkhidmatan perbankan yang berpanjangan.
![Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723674988_pineapplesweetsme.jpg)
Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine
Auckland City Mission secara tidak sengaja telah mengagihkan gula-gula bercampur Methamphetamine yang boleh membawa maut melalui pek makanan.
Pesakit buah pinggang di Gaza hadapi kekurangan mesin dialisis
Pesakit buah pinggang di Gaza menghadapi kekurangan peralatan dialisis dan bekalan perubatan yang teruk di Khan Younis.
Kekejaman zionis: Hamas hilang kepercayaan A.S jadi pengantara gencatan senjata
Hamas hilang kepercayaan terhadap keupayaan Amerika Syarikat untuk menjadi pengantara gencatan senjata di Gaza.
Kekejaman zionis: Hamas tidak ambil bahagian rundingan gencatan senjata baharu
Hamas tidak akan mengambil bahagian dalam pusingan baharu rundingan gencatan senjata Gaza yang dijadualkan di Qatar, pada Khamis.
Malaysia kecam pencerobohan Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Wisma Putra dalam satu kenyataan pada Rabu berkata perbuatan keji ini yang dilakukan di bawah perlindungan pasukan keselamatan Israel, merupakan pencerobohan serius terhadap satu daripada tapak paling suci Islam.
![WHO isytihar mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global WHO isytihar mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723675747_Mpoxvirus.jpg)
WHO isytihar mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global
Ini merupakan pengisytiharan kali kedua dalam tempoh dua tahun berikutan wabak yang bermula di Congo sudah merebak ke negara jiran.
![Larangan penuaian, penjualan kupang di perairan Port Dickson ditarik serta-merta Larangan penuaian, penjualan kupang di perairan Port Dickson ditarik serta-merta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723263443_kupang.jpg)
Larangan penuaian, penjualan kupang di perairan Port Dickson ditarik serta-merta
Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia menarik balik larangan penuaian dan penjualan kerang-kerangan termasuk kupang di perairan Port Dickson dan Melaka.
![Budaya Baba dan Nyonya semakin diiktiraf masyarakat antarabangsa - Wong Budaya Baba dan Nyonya semakin diiktiraf masyarakat antarabangsa - Wong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51722762952_FestivalPeranakanM.jpg)
Budaya Baba dan Nyonya semakin diiktiraf masyarakat antarabangsa - Wong
Budaya masyarakat Baba dan Nyonya di Melaka semakin diiktiraf komuniti antarabangsa khususnya pelancong dari China, kata Pengerusi Bernama Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
![Negeri Sembilan akan adakan pertemuan bincang Koridor Ekonomi Anjung Selatan Negeri Sembilan akan adakan pertemuan bincang Koridor Ekonomi Anjung Selatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722161319_AminuddinHarun.jpg)
Negeri Sembilan akan adakan pertemuan bincang Koridor Ekonomi Anjung Selatan
Negeri Sembilan akan mengadakan pertemuan dengan pemimpin Melaka dan Johor dalam masa terdekat bagi membincangkan secara terperinci cadangan mewujudkan Koridor Ekonomi Anjung Selatan.
![Tiga pengurus firma guaman direman bantu siasatan kes rasuah Tiga pengurus firma guaman direman bantu siasatan kes rasuah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721194556_rasuah.jpg)
Tiga pengurus firma guaman direman bantu siasatan kes rasuah
Tiga individu yang merupakan pengurus dan pemilik beberapa firma guaman di Melaka dan Lembah Klang direman SPRM.
![Usul tubuh Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pembangunan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka diluluskan Usul tubuh Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pembangunan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka diluluskan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720599462_TBPERSIDANGANDUN.jpg)
Usul tubuh Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pembangunan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka diluluskan
Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Melaka hari ini meluluskan usul bagi menubuhkan Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pembangunan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka.
![Melaka mohon semula untuk bangunkan kawasan tambakan laut Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO Melaka mohon semula untuk bangunkan kawasan tambakan laut Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720501413_TBPERSIDANGANDUN.jpg)
Melaka mohon semula untuk bangunkan kawasan tambakan laut Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO
Kerajaan Melaka akan membuat permohonan semula kepada Jabatan Warisan Negara bagi membangunkan kawasan tambak laut yang digazetkan sebagai Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO.
![Kos tajaan Fan Bingbing sebagai duta pelancongan hampir RM500,000 Kos tajaan Fan Bingbing sebagai duta pelancongan hampir RM500,000](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720497110_FanBingbing.jpg)
Kos tajaan Fan Bingbing sebagai duta pelancongan hampir RM500,000
Kos tajaan bagi melantik bintang antarabangsa Fan Bingbing sebagai Duta Setiakawan Pelancongan Melaka sempena Tahun Melawat Melaka 2024 (TMM2024) mencecah RM498,347.
![Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/51482503138_budaksekolahmotor.jpg)
Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah
Program Advokasi Kanak-Kanak dengan kerjasama JKM Melaka dianjur bagi mendidik ibu bapa dan pelajar tentang isu semasa melibatkan generasi muda.
![KPKM salur RM34.09 juta kepada Melaka sokong agenda pembangunan industri agromakanan KPKM salur RM34.09 juta kepada Melaka sokong agenda pembangunan industri agromakanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71719868708_DatukArthurJoseph.jpg)
KPKM salur RM34.09 juta kepada Melaka sokong agenda pembangunan industri agromakanan
Kementerian Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan (KPKM) menyalurkan RM34.09 juta kepada Melaka tahun ini bagi menyokong agenda pembangunan industri agromakanan.
![Tahap kesedaran aspek keselamatan sektor pelancongan masih rendah - NIOSH Tahap kesedaran aspek keselamatan sektor pelancongan masih rendah - NIOSH](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719650922_Pelancong.jpg)
Tahap kesedaran aspek keselamatan sektor pelancongan masih rendah - NIOSH
Masih ramai yang lihat isu keselamatan dalam industri pelancongan sebagai sesuatu yang kecil berbanding sektor pembinaan dan pengilangan.