The following were the various feedbacks and proposals from various tourists from within and without, coupled with what I have observed personally after having spent the last 10 months at Maritime Archaeology Museum (MAM) www.maritime.emalacca.com at the Dutch Square area. It is my sincere hope that all past, present and future visitors of Melaka could spare a few minutes to read hence comment, counter-propose or correct the following propositions tabled before we undertake to submit to the relevant Local Authorities for further actions as they deem appropriate:-
1.Public Toilet – Currently the only public toilet is situated behind a shop lot, by the Melaka River bank, along Jalan Laksamana; about 60 meters from the Dutch Square. It is hardly noticeable to passerby. Although hygienic and well maintained, it is far reaching for tourist with emergencies; be it a long or short call. Furthermore, as it is situated behind shop lots; where there were certain degrees of danger with snatch thieves. An alternative would be to set up public toilets within the Tourist Information Center or introduce mobile toilet.
2.Post Box – The nearest post box was located within the Post Office at Dutch Square which were closed on Sundays and specific Saturdays. Worst still, a post box like opening at the entrance to the Youth Museum were always mistaken as the Post Box. There could have been letters and postcards placed within which would never reach their destinations.
3.Public Parking – To station a Municipal Parking Attendance at Dutch Square to direct visitors to various parking lots rather than to impose summons as their welcome gifts…….There is Never a Second Chance to Leave the First Impression!
4.Cleanliness of Melaka River – Continue to deploy workers in sampans (small fishing boats) with fishing nets to remove debris from the river. Those tourists on the ever popular river cruise did not pay to see the polluted Melaka River with debris.
5.Floor Tiles at Dutch Square – Newly paved floor tiles (chocolate in colour ) were highly slippery during rain fall; many tourists fell and injured themselves. I can’t think of any better way than to have them all replaced with ‘safer’ rough surfaced tilling.
6.Tourist Information Centre – Underutilized! I proposed that this informative centre operating hours be extended to midnight; more so during Weekends and eve and Public Holidays to cater to tourist emergency needs. A café with telephone, email services and paramedic within the Tourist Information Centre would be most useful.
7.Cold Drinks Dispenser Machines – Tourist likes cold drinks, especially under the burning sun. Special prized cold (welcome) drinks via dispensers would be a fabulous way to lure the tourists back to Melaka.
8.Newspaper Dispenser Machines – To upgrade our positioning and city image via Newspaper Dispenser Machines; tourist would be kept informed with domestic and global happenings.
9.Metered Taxi Services – the time have come to implement metered taxis as may tourist were still fuming over being short changed by these unscrupulous operators.
10.Resolve baggers, illegal parking attendance – round the clock enforcement to curve the untoward practices.
11.Install traffic lights at pedestrian crossing at Dutch Square – zebra crossing with element of danger. Traffic Police personnel ought to station to facilitate crossings.
12.Deploy mobile tour guides – Train up more school leavers with multi lingual abilities as mobile tourist guides to keep tourist informed with the correct and unilateral historical facts.
13.All trishaws paddlers to wear uniform and shoes with presentable outlook – image building – no smoking!
14.Mobile Police Booth, Horseback or Bicycle Police and Mobile Toilets during peak holidays season at various popular tourist destinations.
15.Current Money Changer premise within vicinity only operate from 9.00am to 5.00 pm during weekdays. During Sundays many tourists could not shop because the said Money Changer outlet is closed. If possible, assign another license Money Changer nearby Dutch Square to avoid monopoly by a single trader.
16.All food stalls should be educated to utilized proper biodegradable/recyclable rapping papers instead of plastic bags or even old newspapers. All utensils to be sterilized and changed regularly.
However, as these proposals might not have been 100% relevant and practical, hence I welcome past, present and future visitors to Melaka, the Local Authorities and any other relevant parties to comment, counter proposed, amend, innovate or come forward with respective ideas deem fit and suitable for the mutual betterment of Melaka Tourism Industry.
The writer can also be reached at melakatoday@gmail.com for further clarifications. Associated MelakaToday Blogshpere:-
www.melakatoday.blogspot.com
www.melakatoday.spaces.live.com
www.melakatoday.blogs.friendster.com
www.picasaweb.google.com/barryng2663
www.barryng2663.blogspot.com
Not forgetting credits and due recognitions must be given to our Local Authority concerned with the introduction of the RM 2/- Melaka City Tour Bus services; and the double-decker as well; there is no looking back…………………………..Caution though I was told that in neighboring Singapore, passengers embarked onto the double-deckers ought to fill up the bottom seats before being allowed to board the upper layer. This is to prevent the double-deckers from overturn due to overweight on the upper floor thus loosing its centre of gravity in particular when approaching corners………
While touching up this proposal yesterday, a lorry was unloading standard wooden stalls meant for those existing petty traders of cendol ( slide ice with coconut sugar - recommended outlet at Jonker Walk www.jonker88.com )and goreng pisang ( fried bananas) located opposite our Museum building. Well done to the relevant bodies! Keep it up!
