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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
accommodation in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, August 20, 1997
By A Customer
On compairing 2 previous publications on the same book titles by Lonely Planet, I found that the book keep repeating itself, especially for accommodation in Sandakan. The difference of around 10 years had changed a lot in Sandakan,where new types of accommodations are available, especially around the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sepilok. It was quite frustrating not to find A SINGLE, repeat, NOT A SINGLE, indication in the 3 related books concerning accommodation options around that area, where at least 3 outlets have been in existence for more than 5 years already!!!????
For your information, I am not a Traveller to that part of the world, but a proud and responsible citizen of Malaysia staying in Sandakan and I was quite ashamed to be asked by quite a few of Oversea Travellers visiting Sandakan,about whether they can stay around the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (about 16 miles from the town centre) so that they can spend more time to visit the Orangutan. Only when they showed me the books that they are travelling with, which they told me,are very good,that I found out that none of the accommodation outlets for backpacker were stated in the books.
To make matters worst, I have been asked by a few tourists where is Sandakan B & B just a few days ago. I asked him where he come to know about Sandakan B&B and the answers were the Lonely Planet Books that they are carrying. I cordially informed them that the books that they are carrying were only about 8 to 9 years out of date!
It makes me wonder whether Lonely Planet just print and reprint their books just for the sack of
business and not the intention of correctly informing the POOR TRAVELLERS (at their mercy, of course!)what they are supposed to get, if not 100 %, but at least the closest they can get,at the destinations concerned. What excuses does Lonely Planet has for not updating their books? Even if you are talking about 8 to 9 years lapse? I really felt sorry for those tourist who have to waste so much time finding out and not to mention the financial loses due to transportation up and down the Centre.
When I accidently met up with a few of the tourists who I directed (I gave them a lift in my car) them to Sepilok B & B ( a very good backpackers' outlet near the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre ), they thank me for my help and commented that only IF Lonely Planet had informed them about such outlet, they wouldn't have to waste so much time and money to find out the hard way, where the stay there was cheap, clean and the people are friendly.
Also for your information, your website address have been given to me by one of the tourists who happens to know about you. I strongly felt that it is the responsibility of a book publisher to better inform the readers correctly and only by proper updating that readers would appreciate their efficiency and professional altitudes!
Thank you
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