Dawos: Cycling tourism to be a reality

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THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT: Dawos (second left) and Kuching police chief ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad (third left) show the T-shirt presented by Tourism Malaysia to KCCC as a token of appreciation.

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT: Dawos (second left) and Kuching police chief ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad (third left) show the T-shirt presented by Tourism Malaysia to KCCC as a token of appreciation.

KUCHING: Tourists who wish to cycle to experience the beautiful sceneries of Sarawak might find it easy to bring their bicycles to the state following the discussion between Ministry of Tourism Malaysia with Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia.

Deputy Tourism Minister Dato Sri Dr James Dawos Mamit yesterday said the two local airlines would provide the facility for tourists to check-in their bicycles.

“With such a facility, more tourists will want to ride in Sarawak to have a different experience. For instance, if tourists ride along Jalan Puncak Borneo, they can see a lot of interesting places along the way.

“It will definitely help to boost bicycle tourism not only in Sarawak but the whole country,” he told reporters after officiating at the Bike & Ride Padawan 2013 programme at Kampung Bratan at Jalan Puncak Borneo here.

On Malindo Air, Dawos believed the introduction of the new airline would further improve air connectivity in Sarawak in particular and East Malaysia as a whole.

“Of course, it is good because we need to have more airlines. It will bring positive impact to the tourism industry here.”

Malindo Air started its inaugural flights to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching last Friday and yesterday.

In his speech, Dawos pointed out that cycling tourism, which is getting popular, could contribute greatly to the country’s tourism industry if it was given adequate attention.

He, therefore, urged travel agents in the state to be creative and introduce different packages on cycling trips to accommodate the different needs of tourists.

Tourism industry would continue to be significant in contributing to the economy of Malaysia, said Dawos, who is also Mambong MP, adding that the industry generated RM60.6 billion revenue in 2012.

Malaysia had been recognised as the ninth most visited country in the world from 2009 to 2011 by United Nations World Tourism Organisation, he added.

Some 200 people comprising members of the Kuching Cop Cycling Club (KCCC), Village Youth Association and members of the public took part in the programme yesterday.