‘Sarawak Marathon 2015 will be tourism booster’

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Talib clicking the mouse to officially launch the Sarawak Marathon 2015 as (from left) Shukarmin, Yakup and Kho look on.

BINTULU: The Sarawak Marathon on March 22 next year will be a big boost to sports tourism in the state especially Bintulu as the host.

Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip said this at the official launching ceremony of Sarawak Marathon 2015 at Bintulu Promenade Hotel recently.

Also present were Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari, Datu Mohidin Ishak, General Manager of Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and deputy general manager Shukarmin Chasemon.

Talib added that the event will be ideal to promote Bintulu as a tourism destination at the national and international level.

“In order to have a productive community, they must be healthy physically and mentally and thus sports activities are the best choice,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Asia Tourism Alliance Sdn Bhd(ATA) president and CEO Kho Sze Min is expecting many runners from outside Sarawak to come.

A target of 5,000 to 10,000 participants has been set for the inaugural Sarawak Marathon 2015.

He said Bintulu is a perfect venue for such a mass sporting event because the town has people from all over the world who are mostly working in the oil and gas industry.

“We will promote Bintulu along the way, for several months from now we will position Bintulu as a sport tourism destination for Sarawak and Asean region,” he continued adding that the priority is to highlight tourism iconic spots, and this is an opportunity to promote Bintulu to international tourists.

ATA is the organiser and event owner of Sarawak Marathon 2015 Bintulu, supported by Bintulu Resident Office and  Bintulu Development Authority (BDA).

More information and updates will be announced via www.ata.my and www.facebook.com/Asiatourismalliancecom.