KUCHING: East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF) member countries have been asked to further explore eco-tourism to lure more visitors to the region.
Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said eco-tourism is a sector which has gained popularity among travellers across the globe.
He called on East Asian nations to tap their resources and assets in order to take the tourism industry to new heights.
“The assets we have are our cultures, which make the basic attraction to entice people to visit. Furthermore, there are various tourist attractions under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) that are environment friendly.
“Eco-tourism is the in thing now, so we have to work together to not just promote our eco-tourism products but also bind our resources to showcase our attractions to the world,” he said during the EATOF welcoming dinner on Thursday.
Abang Johari also informed delegates that Sarawak has 27 ethnic groups living harmoniously as one big community.
“We are very fortunate to be able to live under one roof as if we are one family. Perhaps this could be extended to EATOF, which can be one family because we have one common objective that is to promote tourism among member countries.”
Among those present were Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong; Luang Prabang, Laos deputy governor Saisamone Khomthavong; and Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Jumaani Tuanku Bujang.
The delegates are from the Philippines, Korea, China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Mongolia, Indonesia and Malaysia.