Tiong (second left) presents a souvenir to Dr Ong as (from left) Andrew, Abang Johari, and Soon Koh look on.
SIBU: Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017 will open up Sibu and the central region to the world.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong said Sibu would be used as the gateway to open up the central region.
“We will open up all the way from Sarikei to Bintangor to Kapit. I hope that with everyone’s support, we will make VSY 2017 a tremendous successful next year,” he said at the launching of VSY 2017 at Sibu Town Square on Saturday night.
“Tonight (Saturday night) is the starting point with which Sibu will showcase what it has to offer to the world.”
The event was officiated at by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said Sibu was one of the active tourism zones in the state,
He said the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) and Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF) had gained overwhelming popularity over the years, thus contributing to the local economy.
He added that Sibu also had many attractions that could attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
“The uniqueness of culture and people from different races and backgrounds living harmoniously can be one of the attractions to attract tourists.
“Apart from that, the variety of food in Sibu, such as Kampua, Mee Sua, Prawn Noodles and Pulut Panggang are also good for food tourism here in Sibu,” he said in his speech that was read by his ministry’s secretary general Tan Sri Dr Ong Hong Peng.
According to him, tourism had been highlighted in the Economic Transformation Program (ETP) as one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) towards propelling the nation to achieve Vision 2020.
“In this regard, Sibu, with abundant flora and fauna, is ideal to be packaged under Nature Adventure cluster.”
Nazri said his ministry had always welcomed the state government’s efforts in promoting Sarawak as one of the main tourism destinations in the country.
He said Sarawak received 4.5 million tourists last year, with 2.5 million of them foreigners.
“The implementation of various programmes, such as VSY 2017, shows the commitment of the state government and SMC to introduce Sarawak to the world.”
“The upgrading of homestay at Bawang Assan longhouse, Sibu, at Rumah Panjang Benjamin Angki, Rantau Kemiding and so forth are part of efforts to give comfort to tourists and to attract more tourists.”
He also said the government aimed to attract 30.5 million tourists this year. It would contribute RM103 billion to the nation’s economy.
At the event, the organiser revealed that the mascot for the VSY 2017 would be named `Bubu’.
There were various performances during the launching ceremony, with Asian icon Shila Amzah leading the way.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Jumaani Tuanku Bujang, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, state Tourism Ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King.