‘VIC to intensify efforts to promote tourism destinations in Sarawak’

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Abdul Karim (fourth right) with Abdul Wahap (on his left), Sharzede (second right), Hii (left) and others give the thumbs-up in front of the VIC office following the opening ceremony yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)’s Visitors Information Centre (VIC) at the Old Courthouse Complex will intensify programmes to provide information on tourism destinations in the state.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said STB through the VIC would work with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) on the initiative.

“The centre will help provide information to visitors, whether overseas or domestic tourists such as from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and other parts of the state, who want to know about places of interest in Kuching and throughout Sarawak.

“The VIC does not only have STB staff but also SFC staff and this is because we have seen many tourists coming who want visit our national parks.

“We are aware of this and we are working on this kind of cooperation between STB and SFC,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Earlier, he officiated at the opening of the VIC, accompanied by the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, STB chairman Datuk Abdul Wahap Aziz and STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor.

Apart from foreign visitors, locals could also visit VIC to find information on tourist attractions in Sarawak, especially Kuching.

“Additionally at night, visitors can visit this VIC, which is located near the Musical Fountain at the Waterfront, and Darul Hana Bridge,” he said.

Asked whether the VIC in Kuching covers other areas of Sarawak as well as provide packages, Abdul Karim said the VIC would be linked to the tourism industry operators in the state.

He expects other VICs to be opened elsewhere in the state to provide information on the Sarawak tourism industry in more areas.

“I really hope that through this VIC, visitors will be able to connect with hotels, travel agents in addition to getting information on interesting places from VIC staff.

“This is not just in Kuching, but STB also has VICs in Sibu and Miri and we are trying to open the centres elsewhere in the state, by stages so that our communication with them would be better in other areas,” he said.

According to Sharzede, the VIC is open to the public daily from 9am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and from 9am to 3pm (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays).

The function of the VIC, she explained, is to serve as a one-stop service centre in providing suggestions and detailed information on interesting places in the state.

“In addition to providing services, the VIC also exhibits various handicraft products by the Sarawak Craft Council, promotion through flyers, photographs and posters to attract tourists,” she said.

The VIC was previously opened at Block H, the Old Court Complex and a number of other locations and was later transferred to Block B in the same complex beginning yesterday.