PROMOTING TOURISM: Abang Johari (centre) presenting the winner’s RM5,000 mock cheque to Law (right) as (from left) Ik Pahon, Mong and Talib look on.
KUCHING: Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort owner Law Ing Hua won the Minister’s Award for Creativity and Innovation at the ‘2009/2010 Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award’ gala night held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Saturday.
Law received the ‘Individual’ sub-category award for his commitment in promoting the state’s beautiful rainforest and unique flora and fauna since the resort was launched in 2003.
The award for the ‘Organisation’ sub-category went to Miri City Council (MCC), commended for their achievements and efforts of realising the vision of turning Miri into a resort city.
In a clip interview with the city mayor Lawrence Lai that was aired before the recipients received their award, he added that the city had worked hard to make itself a vibrant resort city.
“Apart from this, Miri has its annual yacht race and its famous Jazz Festival every May. In fact, to commemorate Miri’s city status, the Miri Festival in May next year would see more than 30 events held throughout the entire month,” he highlighted, adding that Miri is the first non state-capital city in the country.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the winning trophy, certificate and cash prizes of RM5,000 each to both recipients.
Present to receive the award on behalf of MCC was its acting city secretary Leonard Law Tiong Hang.
In the Outstanding Hotel and Accommodation Service Providers category, Miri Marriot Resort and Spa won for the ‘5 and 4-Stars’ sub-category while the 3-Stars Hotel sub-category went to New World Suites. There were no nomination for the ‘2, 1-Stars and Orchid Rate’ sub-category this year but Singgahsana Lodge won the ‘Lodging House, Bed and Breakfast (B&B)’ sub-category.
As for the Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry — Agencies category, the award went to Tourism Task Group Bintulu for the ‘Tourism Task Group’ sub-category.
In the Outstanding Tourist Guide category, Ku Fung Kiaw @ Kelly won for the ‘City Guide’ category while Alvin Celestine Danker won for ‘Nature Guide’. Both winners went home with RM1,500 in cash prizes, a plague and certificate each.
Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch is this year’s winner for the Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry — Private Sector Association category.
For the Media (Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry) category, journalist Nancy Nais edged two other nominees to bag the ‘Articles’ award. Her winning article was on Bario and Pesta Nukenen. Photographer Muhamad Rais Sanusi won in the ‘Pictures’ sub-category while Borneo Talk won in the ‘Publication’ sub-category. Best website went to Damai Beach Resort.
First introduced in 2003, the fourth edition of the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award was celebrated in an extravagant manner worthy of comparison with the Academy Awards or the Grammys with guests turning up in tuxedos and evening gowns.
This year, the awards included 10 categories with 25 sub-categories covering various fields in the tourism industry. The 2009/2010 appreciation award could was also unique as it was the first time that the Tourism Ministry gave cash prizes to all category winners amounting to RM50,000.
Almost 500 were in attendance at the gala themed ‘Sarawak Where Adventure Lives’ including deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip, former deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Mong Dagang, Tourism Ministry permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok, Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Dato Rashid Khan, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Office Director Ahmad Johanif Ali. and many more amongst the.
Other winners include Outstanding Tour Operator (Inbound) — Cat City Holidays Sdn Bhd, Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry (Handicraft and Souvenirs) — Kraftangan Manik Seramik Long Tuma, Lawas, Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry — (MICE) Damai Beach Resort, (Green and Responsible Tourism) Hilton Kuching, Outstanding Food and Entertainment Outlets — (Fine Dining) Ristorante Beccari, (Local Cuisine) Islamic Nyonya Cafe, (Cafe/Bistro/Kopi Tiam) One O’ One Cafe, (Hawkers/Food Stalls/Foodcourt) TopSpot Foodcourt, (Nightspot) Victoria Arms.