Be bolder, more creative when competing for tourism revenue – Abdul Karim

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Abdul Karim (fourth right) in a photo call with (from right) Naomi, Shannen, Larissa, Zuraini, Hii and Creative Teamlab representatives.

KUCHING: Sarawakians are urged to be more creative and bold in diversifying the state’s tourism offerings in order to compete for tourism revenue.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was needed as destinations in the region vie with each other to stage global events to draw in visitors.

“As destinations in the region compete for tourism revenue, I urge Sarawakians to be more creative and bold in diversifying the state’s tourism offerings.

“The hosting of national pageants affiliated with global brands is one such example of promoting Sarawak to niche segments – in this case, the fans and followers of beauty pageants in the region,” he said, citing the Miss World Malaysia 2018 pageant held here recently.

He said this in a press conference prior to an appreciation dinner for the press and organising committee of Miss World Malaysia 2018, here on Tuesday night.

Abdul Karim also congratulated Creative Teamlab for successfully organising such a prestigious event in Sarawak, while expressing his hope that the pageant would generate long-term positive publicity for the state.

Present at the appreciation dinner were Miss Malaysia World 2018 winner Larissa Ping Liew as well as second and third-placed winners Shannen Jade and Naomi Sim.

Others present included Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar, ministry permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, and Creative Teamlab representative Damien Sii.

Larissa will be representing the country at the 68th Miss World Final in Sanya, China in December.