Greater Desaru

Decades ago, Desaru was swarmed with tourists from all over the world especially from Singapore as the most beloved coastal holiday spot. However, with the termination of the car ferry services from Singapore, the numbers have dwindled. Desaru nowadays face a stiff competition from islands like Bintan and others, south of Singapore. Col. Mohd Jamal Salleh, General Manager of Golden Beach Desaru Resort believes that Desaru is in the process of rejuvenation as tourists return using different routes and hopes to restore its glory as more attractions are being lined up at the fringes of Desaru.

Col. Mohd Jamal, who is also the Chairman of Greater Desaru Tourism Association, said that the 13-year-old tourism affiliation was geared up to create awareness of the tourism packages in Desaru. "From 1988 until 2003, we have seen an escalating number of tourists coming to Desaru," he added, pointing out that at least there was a 10 per cent growth last year.

Golden Beach Golf & Country Club was established 20 years ago and its 18-hole golf course is the only one in Malaysia that has a golden beach backdrop. The lush greenery on the other side is of a natural rich forest. This 18-hole signature course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

"A lot of people don't know that our beaches are actually swimmable and we have a lot of sea-related activities through out the year," Col. Mohd Jamal added. Comparable to the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Wave board competition- Monsoon Mayhem took place on its second installation this year in Desaru. The annual fishing competition - GP Joran organised by a local newspaper was also held here. The Desaru natural jungle is a stage for the four-wheel-drive international expedition and also eco-challenge races. Desaru provides the best settings; it's got the sea, the beach and the natural jungle. "We got everything here," Col. Mohd Jamal explains before continues, "We have the best the nature can offer that you can never find at other places."

"Desaru and Kota Tinggi have all the ingredients for people to go back to nature. You can see fireflies or fishing at the river and you can learn about complete types of tropical fruits at Desaru Fruit Farm or watch the interesting animals like crocodiles or ostriches while being exposed to the rich Johor historical heritage." He also complemented that the marine life of Desaru is truly unique and diverse not found elsewhere such as the dugong.

Accessibility is one of the main concerns to bounce back Greater Desaru as a great spot and at the same time, a reachable destination. The journey from Johor Bahru using the available trunk road via Kota Tinggi will be shortened by 40 minutes when the new Senai Desaru Expressway is completed by end of 2008. The 1.7km cable-stayed bridge from Kong Kong in Senai to Teluk Sengat in Desaru will be the best route to connect the next flock of tourists to this unspoiled beachfront with great places to stay and bountiful elements to be explored. The splendour of Great Desaru and its surrounding attractions are here to stay to be pondered and "Desaru has all the ingredients to be the greatest place to go to," said Col. Mohd Jamal.