Sarawak eying Asean, East Asia tourism markets

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Abang Johari (third left), accompanied by Ik (fourth left) and others, preparing to officiate at the fair yesterday.

Abang Johari (third left), accompanied by Ik (fourth left) and others, preparing to officiate at the fair yesterday.

KUCHING: The state Tourism Ministry is working to position Sarawak in the Asean and East Asia markets as its priority areas for 2016, said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“While we still promote the state to the European market, we would also want to concentrate more on our neighbours particularly Asean and East Asia.

“We are penetrating into important hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. As you know, we will have direct flight to and from Hong Kong starting next month. Hong Kong is the gateway to southern China, so these are cities where we want to concentrate in improving connectivity. We also hope to tap into the Mongolian market.

“We also expect other airlines to join the bandwagon. In fact we are negotiating with a few,” he said at the official opening ceremony of the 8th Matta Fair 2016 at Boulevard Shopping Mall yesterday.

According to Abang Johari, a Sarawak Week would be held in Singapore in May.

“As part of the campaign, five Singapore buses will be wrapped with Sarawak logo and themes and they will go around Singapore for a month. It will be an aggressive campaign which we are working with Singapore Tourism Board and Silk Air,” he said.

The ministry would also aggressively use Information Technology (IT) in its promotions throughout the world, he added.

Abang Johari disclosed the ministry would look into upgrading all facilities in national parks including Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Bako National Park, Fairy Cave and Wind Cave, besides promoting more of the highlands and interiors of the state.

He pointed out that as tourism had been identified as an important sector in the state’s economic development, the services sector could provide jobs for the 15,000 unemployed in the state.

“The candidates have to be proactive, have good command of English language and other qualities.

“The services sector can really stimulate economic growth, which is why the state government is planning to have a special taskforce to look more into tourism.”

The special taskforce with himself as chairman, will comprise top tourism officials tasked at formulating strategies to improve the state’s tourism industry.

He hoped that these initiatives would enable Matta members to sell the state’s tourism products well and bring in more tourists this year.

The three-day Matta Fair 2016 is happening until tomorrow at the new wing of the mall. There are 26 exhibitors, including 15 travel agencies and 11 services-related companies, offering various promotions and attractive travel deals.

There are also lucky draws for visitors to the fair daily.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Tourism ministry permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Matta Fair 2016 organising chairperson Melissa Bulan Liao and Matta Sarawak advisor Chris Kon.