LABUAN: Big beer festival known as “Octoberfest”, which was developing into a new tourism icon of the island as it drew a sizeable number of genuine tourists from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and even the peninsula, has dwindled into a “no event.”
Expressing regret over the cheerless Octoberfest, Labuan Entertainment Owners’ Association (Leo) President S. Jeet said:
“The island is ideal for such a programme as it aligns with its image as a financial centre and oil and gas hub, as well as in accordance to the social norms of many.”
He recalled that when the event was introduced to support the local tourism industry, many were attracted because it was world-famous with the German band and free flow of beer and food.
Those in the hotel, F&B, transportation and night life businesses benefited.
Jeet believed unfriendly polices such as limiting visitors to purchase not more than four cans of beer when exiting the island, stringent immigration checks plus objections by an Islamic party on the event held here (though closed doors and meant exclusively for non-Muslims) had contributed to the lost of interest in hosting the event.
He said the stumbling blocks have to be removed if tourism is to boom in Labuan like before.
“The more events are held, the better are the chances of bringing back tourists.”
Several towns in the country still hold the private Octoberfest without problem.
Octoberfest originated in Germany in 1819 and became internationally recognised culture-based fun event.
It is held for two weeks in Munich and known to attract thousands of tourists.
