MERSING GATEWAY
Mersing, is a coastal and also a transit town located in Johor known for the departure point for ferries to offshore islands like Pulau Tioman and Pulau Rawa, where the town itself is never the destination itself. As Mersing is promoting reef tourism, Jetty itself is the only main destination for tourists when they arrive Mersing. Mersing is rich in ecosystem ranging from rainforest to reef. Apart from the surrounding islands, Mersing is also home for Gunung Arong Recreational Forest and Taman Negara Endau Rompin. But due to its characteristic as a transit town, there is a disconnectivity between these places causing tourists to not stopping by Mersing town, only focusing on the surrounding islands.
Gateway for Mersing Nature located at site 3, foothill of Mersing Forest Reserve, aims to connect the rainforest, reef, river, and town which are the gems of Mersing and bring people together with nature, to learn and to experience nature. Gateway of Mersing Nature target users is a community, nature lover and tourist, including transiting tourist and aims to act as a new node for the tourist and community providing nature-related workshops, bed, and breakfast, gallery, community library, guided tour by the community and an outdoor amphitheater for events. It accommodates the needs of tourists such as shower area, locker area, waiting area, shuttle services to nearby landmarks, car rental, bicycle rental and accommodation, and also community needs such as leisure area, event space, study area, and business area.
The workshops provided are photography workshops, art and craft workshop, nature workshops, and cooking workshop which are open to the public and all ages. These workshops engage community and tourists through a guided tour by locals, cooking lessons by locals and also target the tourist in transiting to fill up their transiting time meaningfully at the same time exploring Mersing’s other gem.
The main attraction of Gateway to Mersing Nature is the interactive bridge and the open amphitheater. It acts as a gateway to Mersing Forest Reserve which is backdropping the bridge for leisure hill trail, sunrise to view, and proposed mini zip lining activity. From the interactive bridge, it connects the forest and river visually, brings people closer to nature, feels closer to Mersing. The open amphitheater act as a plaza attracting people from the main road, Jalan Jemaluang to enter the building, venue for some outdoor events, sitting area. Both interactive bridge and amphitheater connect the two parts of the building and act as a center point and interaction area for both tourists and the community.
