SHOP FOR BENEFITS: Dawos swipes the mock MasterCard to launch the 1Malaysia Year End Sale. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak registered 2.9 million tourist arrivals as of September this year, and the figure is likely to soar following the launch of 1Malaysia Year End Sale (1MYES).
Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said of the total arrivals, one million were domestic travellers.
“A total of 1.9 million foreign tourists came to Sarawak as of September this year. The majority of them are from neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei,” he said when launching the 1MYES packages at Kuching Sentral here yesterday.
Designed to encourage Malaysians to take their holidays in the country, 1MYES packages will also be promoted in Indonesia and Brunei markets with a target of sales revenue amounting to RM1 million.
Among the packages on offer are 4D3N Discovery Sarawak, 3D2N Kota Kinabalu Experience, 2D1N A Famosa Resort Melaka, 2D1N Legoland Fun Package and 3D2N Seri Pacific Family Escapage.
The six appointed travel agencies to promote them are Insight Tours Sdn Bhd, Go Travel Holiday Sdn Bhd, Borneo Exploration Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd, TH Travel and Services Sdn Bhd, Richland Adventure Sdn Bhd and Natol Holidays and Tours Sdn Bhd.
Recalling a recent trip to Europe, Dawos said travel agents there gladly told him that they loved coming to Sarawak.
“But they have one complaint, that Malaysia Airlines has cancelled its flights to some European cities. I then said, ‘Never mind. You can fly to Singapore and then come to Sarawak.’
“They prefer nature-based tourism and our rich culture is also what appeals to them. Having 28 ethnic groups in the state also means that we have 28 kinds of culture to show the world.”
He noted that quite many foreigners enjoyed shopping in Kuala Lumpur, which he said had been listed as the second best shopping destination in Asia-Pacific.
He was quick to add that these shoppers would not miss the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) in Johor Bahru if they had given the capital city a pass.
“Many foreigners like to shop in Kuala Lumpur or otherwise they go to Johor for JPO, which offers branded products by various world class designers.”
Dawos also admitted the current JPO was not too grand in scale, and that there was an extension plan already.
“The premium outlets will be expanded to attract more shoppers like Singaporeans. All branded items are sold 20 per cent or so lower than those available at Orchard Road.
“Furthermore, Legoland Malaysia in Johor Bahru is now a tourist attraction.”
Last year, he said tourists spent RM17.5 billion on shopping, which constituted 30 per cent of the total receipts of RM58.3 billion.
It recorded a growth of eight per cent against that of RM16.2 billion in 2010, he added.
During the campaign from Nov 10 to Jan 1next year, MasterCard holders will enjoy more privileges and benefits besides getting the opportunity to walk away with instant redemptions and exciting contest prizes at participating malls in the country.
For more information on the 1MYES packages, visit www.1malaysiayearendsale.com.
Among those present were Tourism Malaysia Sarawak director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Kuching Sentral manager Raymond Sim and Bus Asia chairman Ghazali Ismail.