Abang Johari (centre) with the participants. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
KUCHING: A clean environment reflects a friendly and conducive business environment.
This is because it is an attraction and an important factor to keep business going, said Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said a clean business environment would build people’s confidence and business operators would have better chance to attract regular and loyal customers.
“First sight is very important. So a clean environment reflects friendliness and a conducive business environment. Not only business operators will be able to attract local customers, but also tourists,” he said at the ‘Induction Course for Satok Tourism Youth Uptown Hawkers’ held at the Sports and Youth Complex yesterday.
Abang Johari pointed out that food handling techniques as well as friendly attitude were also important criteria for food business operators.
He believed the Satok Tourism Youth Uptown Hawkers at Civic Centre could become an attraction for tourists.
“Satok is part of the city. It is in a transformation process including improvement of infrastructure.
“I have been to your centre (Youth Uptown Hawkers) and I see that you have an overwhelming response. To keep up with the response, cleanliness is very important, that is the attraction factor,” he said.
On another matter, he disclosed that the state targeted to receive five million tourists this year, adding 4.8 million tourists visited the state last year, higher than the expectation of 4.3 million.
“In 2013, we received four million visitors. Sarawak has plenty to offer and has become a popular tourist destination, thus continuous improvement and development are important,” he said.
Meanwhile, he revealed that Kuching has been listed as one of the competitive cities apart from Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
To develop Kuching to become a famous city in the country, he said it would need to undergo major development including infrastructure and public transport.
“I have this vision, where in five to seven years’ time, Kuching city, Serian, and Samarahan will reach population of one million. Therefore, it must be connected whether by rapid bus system or MRT system.
“We will do development until up to Serian, and we are in the planning process with experts. With the MRT public transport system, this is an opportunity for businesses as well, because there will be MRT stations and people will surely do shopping and patronise eating places,” he said.
Satok Tourism Coordination Association chairman Shah Ishzan Isnin was also present.