3.28 mln visited Sarawak in 2009

0

SARAWAK recorded 3.28 million visitor arrivals in 2009, generating an estimated revenue of RM3.8 billion.

“The central region itself recorded 90,924 visitor arrivals, based on statistics obtained from Sibu Airport and sea ports in Sibu and Sarikei as supplied by the Immigration Department,” Tourism and Heritage Assistant Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip said in reply to a question from Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah (BN-Nangka).

He said the most popular tourist destinations in the state were national parks (Bako, Semenggoh, Niah and Mulu), cities and towns (Kuching, Miri and Sibu) and cultural and heritage centres (Sarawak Museum, Sarawak Cultural Village, Miri Handicraft Centre and longhouses).

He said the ministry projected visitor arrivals at 3.6 million and four million in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“To better promote our state tourism, our strategies include having more engagement sessions with industry players, collaborating with major partners like Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines to utilise their overseas outfits, leveraging on technology for a cost-effective promotional tool and emphasising on trade and marketing support to our foreign operators,” he said.

Meanwhile, responding to a supplementary question from Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek) on the safety of river cruise in the central region, especially the popular Pandaw river cruise, Talib said it was not an issue.

“Pandaw is run by the private sector which is subjected to the rules and regulations of the tourism industry in the state.

“As they are a licensed operator, they have to conform to strict safety regulations,” he added.