KUCHING: Next year may be Visit Sarawak Year 2013 to commemorate the state’s 50th anniversary of Independence.
Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg
Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who announced this yesterday, said a host of exciting tourism-related activities were in the pipeline to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
“My ministry is prepared to make next year an exciting one, with numerous programmes and activities in conjunction with our 50 years of independence. A few approaches have been drafted, and this include making 2013 a Visit Sarawak Year.
“However, the whole idea is still in the discussion phase because various factors need to be taken into account,” he said after officiating at the ‘2012 Regatta Bandarayaku’ prize giving ceremony at the Kuching Waterfront here.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and director Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat.
Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Housing, said a meeting would be held next month to iron out a few details and to decide whether the Visit Sarawak Year should be implemented.
“The whole idea for the meeting would be to garner support from all relevant sectors to ensure that the 2013 celebration would be grand, extravagant and successful.
“We still have one year to prepare, but cooperation from the various industries and corporate sector are very much important to make this plan a success.”
The last Visit Sarawak Year was held in 2003, and that year the state was promoted as a Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) destination.