Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: There has been positive response to Hong Kong Airlines flying here ever since its first flight to the state capital on May 28 which registered about 80 per cent load.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is despite the sector being a new route for the airline.
“On June 1, both the inbound and outbound were at full 174 passengers, while on June 4, the inbound was at 174 passengers and the outbound to Hong Kong was at 170.
“On June 8, the inbound flight was at 174, while the outbound was at 150. With Chinese tourists making out most of the numbers,
we see this as an exciting development to the state tourism sector,” he said.
He added that the Tourism Ministry was also getting Malindo Air and Air Asia to have direct international flights from Shenzen and South Korea to Miri to promote Sarawak’s northern city as another tourist hub for the state.
He was speaking to reporters at a press conference after the briefing and handing-over of duty from the Youth, Sports and Solidarity Ministry to Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
On a related matter, Abang Johari said the government wanted the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) to focus on promoting and attracting businesses to Sarawak.
“Apart from just the nature, we need other reasons for people to come and visit us and we are studying this matter. What is important is we are looking at the Chinese market and the South East Asian market at the moment, apart from the European and American markets,” he added.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that he would be going to Singapore soon on a promotional mission and to get more direct air links from Singapore and other international destinations.