– by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Oct 9: Fifteen travel agents from Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Johor had a business networking session with 20 Sarawak-based tour operators, attraction owners and hoteliers at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday (Oct 8).
This gathering was organised by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in conjunction with the familiarisation tour by the travel agents to Kuching and Sibu from Oct 8 to 11.
STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor, in her opening address, encouraged the travel agents to take note of the many unique attractions in Sarawak, notably those relating to culture, nature and food.
She reasoned that with firsthand experience, they would be able to appreciate the type of packages that Sarawak had to offer.
“As for the business networking session, it allows tour operators the opportunity to build rapport with local tour agents and hoteliers for future marketing ventures here,” she said, adding that she believed Sarawak could be a destination of choice for many Johorean travellers.
“This is made much easier with AirAsia flying directly from Johor Bahru to Sibu twice daily and to Kuching four to five times daily,” she told those present.
Meanwhile, MATTA Johor secretary Andy Goh said his entourage were looking forward to their trip to Sibu as the highlight of their visit. The town will be well promoted as it is a new product for Johor.
In the group were YH Tours and Transport, Sitty Travel, Hongyi Holidays, Ezz Travel, Winflower Travel & Tours, Nepline Travel, Prides Tour, Binkhaled Travel & Tours, Z.B.T & Tours Limousine, and Volume Holidays.
While here, the agents will be taken on a Kuching City tour, visit a Sarikei Iban longhouse, stop by Mukah’s Kampung Tellian and Lamin Dana as well as sample Sibu’s highlights like its Heritage Centre, Night Market, Central Market, Town Square and Rajang Esplanade.
The visitors will also get to feast on the many local delicacies of the different races. For instance, they will be taken to Kuching’s Top Spot and try Sibu’s longevity noodles and sago snacks, which are produced in Mukah. — DayakDaily
