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By Ling Hui
BELAGA, Aug 5: Hotels and homestays in Belaga being fully booked during the Belaga Regatta 2023 is a good ‘problem’, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Like ants attracted to sugar, he said, the event has been successful in attracting local and foreign visitors with its various activities such as games, exhibitions and night performances.
“(Hulu Rajang MP) Datuk Wilson (Ugak Kumbong) told me there’s a problem, and that is there is not enough accommodation (for visitors). All the hotels and homestays are full.
“To me, that is a good (sign) problem. We don’t look at it as a problem. This is like sugar and ants. The ants will know where the sugar is.
“So, it’s up to the people of Belaga to work on. If their houses can be expanded to accommodate a few more rooms, they can be rented out to visitors during events like the regatta. Do it,” he urged when officiating the Belaga Regatta at the Belaga Waterfront here today.
Abdul Karim, who represented Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the event, also urged the private sector to consider building hotels in Belaga.
Not necessarily five-star, he said, but two or three-star hotels with 30 to 40 rooms would be sufficient to cater to the influx of tourists during festivals.
He said the tourism industry in Sarawak, as a whole, has boomed over expectations after the reopening of borders.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim urged the orang Ulu in Belaga not to be embarrassed about serving local foods to tourists because they are coming to experience the unique cuisine and culture in Sarawak.
“Belaga, it is an exotic place. There are lots of people who wants to come down here just to taste the cuisine. So, jangan ‘malu’.
“We should be proud of our food. It’s our identity, be proud of our identity,” he added.
Other dignitaries also present at the ceremony were Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang and Ugak. — DayakDaily
