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Batu Caves vs Gua Kelam

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Submitted By azwa22
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According to Fodness 1994, basic motivation theory suggests a dynamic process of internal psychological factors (needs, wants and goals), causing an uncomfortable level of tension within individuals’ minds and bodies, resulting in actions aimed at releasing that tension and satisfying these needs. Based on this theory, lets take a look about two destination that have been choose for the range of market segments that might be motivated to visit this type of attraction and potential future motivations to visit the attraction, based on current trends. This two destination is under one attraction which is Ecotourism but difference examples. The two places that had been choose is Kelam Caves at Perlis and Batu Caves at Selangor.
Gua Kelam is one of limestone's cave in the Setul Formation in Nakawan Range and was maintained by Perlis Forestry Department since 1997. Gua Kelam are also located in Wang Mu Reserve Forest with area coverage of 2000 hectares and was gazetted as a part of Perlis State Park in 3 July 2008 under the Section 10(1) State Forestry Enactment (Application) 1987. Kaki Bukit town is nearest town which is 500 metres from the cave. It's a 370-metre long limestone cave called Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness). It located about 33 km north of Kangar, the state capital. The only path to the cave is via an eight-foot wide wooden suspension bridge. This bridge links Kaki Bukit to the Wan Tangga Valley, a valley on the opposite end of Gua Kelam. Kelam Cave Management Unit was placed under the State Parks, Perlis Forestry Department and operates on Tuesday to Sunday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. On Monday, Kelam Cave is closed for operation to carry out maintenance works in the building and surrounding area. A total of 8 workers were deployed here to ensure the smooth running Kelam Cave. Since the opening of the Dark Cave at the beginning of 2008, the place is more frequently visited by tourists within and outside the country who are interested in history of mining in the cave and is still intact. A total of more than 3000 visitors were recorded in just two months, between February and March 2008.
First motivation for Kelam Caves is personal development motivation.Perlis Forestry Department has received an allocation of Rs 9 million under the Rancangan Malaysia ke Lapan (RMK-8) from the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia to develop the area and make it as Kelam Cave Nature Museum for learning activities. After fully open to the public on January 1, 2008 Kelam Cave have received the presence of 20 groups of visitors from the primary to the higher education institutions. Tourist will be exposed to learn history of Kelam Cave and for local tourist this is one of the way to increased knowledge about our history. In there also have gallery developed by State Forestry Department to exhibit artifact collection, usage and historical materials regarding tin ore mining.
Second motivation is emotional motivation such as adventure and nostalgia. As you make your way through the cave, the whispers of a swirling dark subterranean stream, together with the squeaking bats and dripping water from the stalactites, form a concerto of natural sounds. It sounds a bit spooky, but adds to the mystery of a cave that was once the home of Stone Age men. The variety of animals such as bat, snake, spider, variety insect and others can will scare you inside this cave. The ride has been constructed from the Visitor Centre and Mining Museum Display area to take visitors through a man-made tunnel into the upper levels of this cave. The visitors also had the opportunity to see the runway trolleys constructed from iron ore and timber and is used to compile the path of rocks by tin miners. The roomy dry upper levels of Gua Kelam 2 are open to tourist visitors. The upper level caves of Gua Kelam 2 are large and roomy and bear many reminders of the former tin mining activities within the cave (e.g. wooden joists, posts and walkways, metal wires, pipes and anchor points). Miners have also left there own marks in the caves in the form of graffiti. The miners were almost entirely Chinese and this is reflected in the Chinese writings and drawings to be found on the cave walls. The upper levels of Gua Kelam 2 contain a variety of creatures. For the more adventurous visitor, arrangements can be made to traverse the lower level river cave at Gua Kelam 2. This involves a steep incline followed by a vertical pitch of around 7 meters by fixed vertical ladder that brings you into the active river passage. Visits cannot be made in wet weather as the cave is subject to flooding. The visitor is also required to negotiate deep pools and uneven cave floor and a variety of mining debris, including old pipes, metal railway tubs, and lots of wooden joists.

Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples in the Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill and also the name of the nearby village. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli). As early as 1860, Chinese settlers began excavating guano for fertilising their vegetable patches. However, they became famous only after the limestone hills were recorded by colonial authorities including Daly and Syers as well as American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878.Batu Caves was promoted as a place of worship by K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader. He was inspired by the 'vel'-shaped entrance of the main cave and was inspired to dedicate a temple to Lord Murugan within the caves. In 1890, Pillai, who also founded the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, installed the murti (consecrated statue) of Sri Murugan Swami in what is today known as the Temple Cave. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (which falls in late January/early February) has been celebrated there.Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its high vaulted ceiling.

First motivation of Batu Cave is personal development motivation. Increased knowledge about nature, flora and fauna. Tourist can do educational tour lasting 45 minutes but tourist must pay before start tour. Helmets and a headlamp were provided and the amusing guide pointed out interesting rock formations and bat populations and their will let you know when you were surrounded by a sea of cockroaches. Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings. This complex was renovated and opened as the Cave Villa in 2008. Many of the shrines relate the story of Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadam. An audio tour is available to visitors.
Second motivation is emotional motivation such as adventure and spiritual fulfillment. Tourists who are like doing adventure thing can try rock climbing that Batu Cave offers more than 160 climbing routes consisting of limestone hills rising to 150 m and also can climb 272 cocrete steps. These climbing routes are easily accessible as most crags start from ground level. For the spiritual fulfillment, Batu Caves become the focus of the annual Thaipusam Hindu society not only Hindus in Malaysia , but also around the world such as Australia and Singapore .The procession began in the early morning on Thaipusam from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple , Kuala Lumpur leading to Batu Caves as a religious effort to Lord Muruga lasting eight hours . Kavadi priest present to shareholders . Consecrated ashes sprinkled over the hooks and skewers piercing the devotees flesh ' before it was released . it is unique because no blood shed during the piercing and removal. In 2007 , the festival attracted more than 1.5 million pilgrims , making it one of the largest gatherings in history.

Market Segmentation is the process of defining and subdividing a large homogenous market into clearly identifiable segments having similar needs, wants, or demand characteristics. There are four basic market segmentation which is demographic segmentation, geographic segmentation, psychographic segmentation and behavior segmentation. But only two segmentation will touch which is geographic segmentation and psychographic segmentation.
First is geographic segmentation for Batu Caves was located only 13km from downtown Kuala Lumpur. Tourists can take KTM komuter to Batu caves and also by the car. The location of Batu caves very strategic because close to transportation and also lodging. So that make easy for tourist to come again. Meanwhile Kelam Cave,. The visitors who want to come here can drive their own vehicles or a taxi and bus from Jayapura continue to Kelam Cave, which took about 30 minutes. Exact charges are also very reasonable and cheap.
Second is psychographic segmentation for Batu Cave, food one of the importance thing that tourist will need. In Batu Cave there are a few restaurants (vegetarian only being a Hindu Temple) where you can get a tasty Indian curry of 4 veggie dishes, rice and poppadums served on a banana leaf, together with a fresh coconut juice for around RM9. Meanwhile Kelam Cave, have build resting hut, resting bench, toilet, indoor hall, cafeteria and camping site which can accommodate as many as 80 persons.

As for the conclusion, motivation very importance to tourist choose the best destination for travel. In future motivation, it can see from many aspects. First from politic,peaceful countries that do not face severe problems of political crisis receptive to visitors from local and foreign country. For example, Malaysia is a peaceful country that is rich with natural beauty . Batu caves one of the famous ecotourism with activities Hindus, has also been a significant place in Malaysia as one of the famous tourist spots. Next is lifestyle, for tourists who love the adventure and challenge lifestyle can come into Kelam Cave and feel interesting experience like walking on a wooden bridge that hangs over the main entrance and exit at difference place. In future tourists will be able to see the flower garden namely “ Secret Garden of Perlis”, say by ministry of tourism Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Third is status, tourists has ever come and want to feel the same experience but now their have a family also could still come tour to the Batu Cave. Travelers can bring family to feel the celebration of Thaipusam that held once a year in a Batu Cave. Besides that , they can visit the gallery in there as well and also take a photo when feed the monkeys. But beware with your thing. Lastly are facilities, like transportation and accommodation is one of the important facilities to facilitate and provide comfortable to the tourists. When tourists are satisfied with the facilities provided then they will come back with friends or family. For example, you can take KTM Komuter train from KL Sentral all the way to the recently opened Batu Caves Komuter station which is located a few steps from the entrance to the attractions. The fare was only RM2 each way which makes it the cheapest and easiest way to travel. The train has ladies-only coaches for the comfort and safety of female passengers. If you take your own car there is ample parking once you have negotiated the confusing road layout and reached the entrance to the cave complex.

Batu Cave, Selangor

Bibliography
Fodness. (1994). motivation theory. 556. http://www.authenticholidayfilms.com/tourist_motivation_35.html Ghazali, A. (2011, 10 5). Gua Kelam ditutup hingga tahun depan. Http://www.bharian.com.my/articles/GuaKelamditutuphinggatahundepan/Article/cetak

H. Elliott McClure, B.-L. L. (1967). FAUNA OF THE DARK CAVE, BATU CAVES,, Vol. 9, no. 3. http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pi/pdf/9(3)-399.pdf john swarbrooke, s. h. (2005). consumer behaviourin tourism. elsevier butterworth heinemann.

visit malaysia. (n.d.). Retrieved from gua kelam ( kelam cave): http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Perlis

Batu Cave. (2013, september 5). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves wijnen, B. V. (n.d.). gua kelam. http://www.malaysiasite.nl/guakelameng.htm

Kelam Cave.(2013,ogos,22) Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_Kelam,_Perlis wijnen, B. V. (n.d.). gua kelam.
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