KUCHING: The state has many unexplored potential tourism spots that should be explored and promoted.
In citing Padawan as an example, Assistant Minister of Culture Liwan Lagang said more emphasis should be given to promote potential tourist spots that are still unexplored in the area.
The Belaga assemblyman said he was amazed with the many beautiful areas and tourist spots Padawan had to offer not only to locals but also to foreign tourists.
“I understand that there are still many areas in Padawan that are still not being explored as tourism destinations yet this event is good for us to market our tourism products to the world,” he said when offciating at the ‘Discover Padawan Experience – Your Gateway to Culture, Adventure and Nature 2013’ exhibition at Kuching Sentral here yesterday.
Liwan said Padawan has a few established tourism destinations such as Borneo Highlands Resort, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Jong’s Crocodile Farm which had attracted many local and foreign tourists.
“The government has also identified and developed a few tourism destinations in Padawan such as Annah Rais Hot Spring, caves, waterfalls in Padawan and Rafflesia in Kampung Temurang and Kampung Belimbing.”
In view of the richness of nature that Padawan has, he said various activities could also be offered to tourists such as jungle trekking, kayaking, cycling and other interesting activities in the tropical rainforest.
Liwan said Padawan had the advantage as a potential popular tourism destination due to its location which is not far from the city, beautiful and attractive tourism products and destinations as well as the good facilities maintained by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).
“One of the products that you can highlight is your ‘Pansoh Lamb’ which is special because normally we only have Pansoh Fish and Chicken. This is the product that you should highlight, especially to the foreign tourists.”
Liwan said he is very interested with the activities that would be organised by MPP such as Padawan Raft Safari as well as Borneo Highland Nature Challenge and therefore, he had offered himself to be the participant of the activities.
Impressed with the success of the activities organised by MPP, he said he would bring the ideas back to his constituency to be implemented.
Meanwhile, the organising chairlady for the event Councillor Isabell Julau Mejat in her welcoming speech said the main objective of organising the exhibition was to introduce Padawan as the tourism corridor here besides promoting the culture, exploration destinations and tropical rainforest in Padawan.
“MPP is lucky to have four villages with homestay activities in Kampung Annah Rais, Bunuk, Belimbing and Telaga Air. There are also a few Bidayuh longhouses which are still being preserved in Kampung Bunuk and Kampung Annah Rais which are also being commercialised as tourism destinations in Padawan.
“It is also surprising that Padawan has three villages that still maintain the tropical rainforest treasure such as the Rafflesia ,” he added.
Isabell highlighted that various activities would be organised by MPP such as the Borneo Highland Nature Challenge 2013 which will be held on June 30 and Padawan Raft Safari 2013 to be held on July 7.
Among those present at the event were MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang, deputy chairman Mohd Hashim Yap as well as other councillors.