CM: Growth through regional cooperation

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MOVING FORWARD: Taib beating a drum to symbolise the launching of SEDC’s Re-Imaging of its Tourism and Leisure Sectors in Kuching yesterday in the presence of (from left) Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib and other dignitaries.

State should forge ties with established tourist destinations to woo more visitors

KUCHING: Sarawak must cooperate with established destinations in the region such as Bali (in Indonesia), Sabah and Brunei to woo more tourists here, said Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“Cooperation across boundaries is very important for the success of the tourism industry across the board,” the chief minister said at SEDC’s Re-Imaging of its Tourism and Leisure Sectors at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.

“In fact, we can cooperate with Bali and others to ensure that Australian tourists will widen their cycle of tourism to include Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei,” he continued.

“This are the kind of strategies that we have to learn to develop. But that only can come through cooperation across national boundaries and across all sectors in the tourism industries.”

Taib also advised SEDC to take the lead in attracting tourists to Sarawak as it (SEDC) is a pioneer in the tourism industry,

With SEDC leading the way, he hoped that tourism players such as taxi drivers, handicraft dealers, and restaurant operators would tag along.

“Greater efforts must be made to ensure that we showcase ourselves in more effective ways. In a country where the tourism industry is just blooming, normally the hotel industry will take the lead.”

As it would be impossible for the state to compete with big players such as China, India and Indonesia, Taib said it was more prudent to concentrate on its niche market, which is eco-tourism.

“As such, we must calculate all our moves in this competitive industry. Re-imaging should not be an effort of one hotel, but ought to include all other hotels through cooperation.

“I am sure if SEDC were to talk to other hotels owners, they would be able to find a common interest which will be of mutual benefit.”

Taib said he observed that the marketing of the state as ‘exotic Borneo’ had enabled early pioneers of the tourism industry make headways.

“You have to cope with the expanding trade and to appeal to the mass tourism market.

“Even within Malaysia we know there is something that Sarawak can show if only we can think how to display it more effectively. And because of that we can do much better compared to other places.”

On the re-imaging exercise, Taib gave SEDC a pat on the back by saying that this initiative would enable the provision of quality services to the growing number of tourists, including fastidious ones.

“The exercise is going to go well into the future and re-imaging is something SEDC can always think off.

“The tourism industry must understand the law of business … which stresses on quality, satisfaction, strong ethics and reliability.

“The way to achieve greater success is to be more effective and efficient.”

Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip were among those present.