KUCHING: Dayak Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) welcomes the move by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg to engage international experts and consultants to study the tourism potential of areas affected by hydro electric dams.
In a statement issued by its secretariat yesterday, DCCI expressed hope that the finding of such study will be a basis for the overall tourism master plan to be undertaken by the ministry for hydro dam areas.
“The participation and interest of local players must be included in the master plan. In so doing, the ministry is sharing the benefit of tourism growth with local entrepreneurs.
“Thailand is a good example where local players play a very important role in the tourism industry. It augurs well for the state tourism development to take cognisance of what is being done in neighbouring countries,” it stated.
Abang Johari said on Sunday that a hinterland tourism study is being carried out to transform places affected by the hydroelectric dams across Sarawak into attractive tourism destinations.
He had mentioned the ministry was undertaking the study with the help of international experts and consultants, and was looking at possibilities to set up a resort around the Bakun area.
The other areas included in the study were Murum and Baram.
“This (study) should have been done before the Batang Ai dam last time – we overlooked it.
“When I went to Bakun, I visited the islands there and saw many tourism potentials.
“We must have a thorough study to identify the attractions available on the islands as well as in areas affected by the dams,” said Abang Johari during a press conference after a function in Kuching on Sunday.