By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 15: The closure of China’s border has impacted the global tourism industry, said Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Therefore, he hoped the country’s border restrictions would be lifted next year.
Abdul Karim told reporters this today at a press conference following the 2022 Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (Mica) Foliday and B2B Business Networking Session held earlier at a hotel here.
“It is not only about Chinese tourists visiting the region, but also about Malaysians who want to visit China. And this has a two-fold benefit,” he said.
Furthermore, Abdul Karim praised Mica’s initiative and presence in Sarawak to promote tourism in the State during his speech at the event.
“Through this effort, more Malaysians realise that Sarawak is a unique destination with a variety of food, a diverse population, and full of adventure because the State has 31 ethnic groups and its own food and culture that can be explored,” he said.
Mica is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides its members with a platform for exchanging information about the inbound tourism industry.
To boost domestic tourism, Mica has launched the ‘Foliday — Family, Friends, Fun, and Freebie’ campaign, which was successfully organised in seven states, including Sarawak.
It aims to explore the tourism products of Sarawak, particularly its unique and diverse cultures, and to develop business through networking between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak industry players, particularly inbound travel agents.
Mica will also work as a strategist partner with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in the near future, with plans to organise roadshows to China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Mica will also focus on not only leisure but also high yield Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) groups, blending into the following sectors: Sarawak’s diverse and colourful cultures, adventure tourism, the beauty of the natural land, exciting festivals, and exotic food.
Also present were MTCP deputy minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, MTCP permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor, and Mica president Dato Dr Angie Ng. — DayakDaily
