By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 16: Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah states that the ministry does not want the State to be too open to tourists, as this could attract irresponsible tourists who can damage Sarawak’s treasures.
He said this to reporters today after officiating at the ‘Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Integrity Day 2022’ at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
“We have our own ways, just as what Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg informed us last night about the type of tourists we want.
“If we look at the programmes and promotions we have done in the past and now, they are more geared toward niche tourism, or special categories of tourists.
“But, because we want to protect our treasures, we don’t want to be too open to tourists, which could invite those who aren’t very responsible,” Abdul Karim pointed out.
He noted that many tourists occasionally scribble on cave walls, and some even take stones with them.
“This can harm our treasures, which is why we want quality tourists, whether local or foreign, and this has been our policy since the beginning,” he added.
Abang Johari stated yesterday that Sarawak is focusing on specialised tourism, in which it targets prime or selected tourists by hosting specific events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF). — DayakDaily
