KUCHING: The Johor government is keen to cooperate with travel agencies in Sarawak to promote tourism for mutual benefit.
Johor Tourism public relations and publicity officer Ahmad Nizam Ahmad said yesterday that Johor and Sarawak had many similar tourism products, especially in the eco-tourism market segment.
“For instance, Johor has three Ramsar bases, namely Tanjung Piai National Park, Pulau Kukup National Park and Sungai Pulai,” he told a press conference at the Asean Tourism Forum 2014 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here.
“In the Iskandar Johor area alone, there are more than 30 Inap Desa or homestay that emphasise the way of life and cultures of local residents.”
Sarawak, he noted, also had great eco-tourism products such as the Sarawak Cultural Village and ethnics longhouses.
He believed cooperation between both states could spur the growth of domestic travels as there were no air connectivity issues.
In fact, it could also increase tourist arrivals from Johor to Sarawak and vice versa during Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
“As such, we welcome visitors from Sarawak to Johor, especially in February for the Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival 2014 to be held from 19 to 25.
“Other than that, visitors from Sarawak can also visit various existing and new tourism destinations in Johor such as Legoland Malaysia Resort and Hello Kitty.”