PINEWOOD In Iskandar Malaysia to Boost TV Industry

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is set to contribute RM2.2 billion to Malaysia's film and television industry, said Information Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Expected to be completed in May 2013, the studio will significantly boost the growth of Malaysia's film industry players.

"Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is our venture into the world of film and television equipment and post-production," said Rais, adding that the country's film and television industry will become more sophisticated thanks to the studio.

The facilities at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studio will be utilised by local industry players and those from other countries in Asia.

Meanwhile, Tushar Jain, Director of New Delhi-based BTC Tours & Travel, claimed that the new theme parks in Iskandar Malaysia may not be that appealing to Indians, who are more familiar with Universal Studios Singapore.

"There's hardly been any promotions in India for Legoland, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club," he said.

"Secondly, the parks in Iskandar are aimed at young children, whereas Universal Studios Singapore caters to all ages. From a business perspective, it makes more sense for us to bring clients just to Universal Studios when they visit Singapore."

Leo Chan, Marketing Manager at Charlotte Travel, also opined that tourists from Hong Kong may see little sense in visiting Johor unless "they were die-hard Hello Kitty or Lego fans".

"When Hong Kong tourists visit Singapore, they stay for only four days. They do not want to visit more than one theme park (besides Universal Studios) during that time, especially if they have to travel out of Singapore. However, they might hop over to Johor on subsequent trips," he noted.

Dennis Law, Managing Director at Star Holiday Mart (Singapore), is also doubtful whether Iskandar theme parks can attract visitors from outside Malaysia and Singapore, claiming that there are not enough tourism infrastructures in the region.

He added that cost is another factor to consider, but if the theme parks "band together to develop value-for-money packages, they might just be able to draw visitors from Singapore and other parts of Malaysia."