By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 27: DayakDaily’s D’Drift 2025 team embarks today on its sixth annual expedition, themed “The Homestay Odyssey,” exploring off-the-beaten-path homestays and accommodations across central and southern Sarawak.
The 10-day journey, concluding on March 8, aims to spotlight Sarawak’s distinctive homestays while fostering community engagement and boosting local tourism.
By venturing into these less-travelled locales, the D’Drift 2025 team promises readers an intimate glimpse into the warmth of Sarawakian hospitality.
The odyssey will showcase the vital role homestays play in sustaining local economies, blending cultural encounters, nature adventures, and culinary discoveries. With engaging write-ups detailing the homestays and nearby attractions, readers can expect captivating stories from Sarawak’s rural heartlands.
The flag-off ceremony, held at DayakDaily’s office this morning, was once again officiated by the Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a steadfast patron who has supported the D’Drift initiative since its inception.
He stated that not all Sarawakians are familiar with the tourism spots in the State and the small details that are often taken for granted.
“The well-written articles from DayakDaily help bridge this gap. Whenever they stop at a location, they write about the food, lifestyle, and culture of that place.
“This allows us to gain a better understanding of our State, which is incredibly diverse in terms of both culture and ethnic groups,” Abdul Karim said.
He also noted that the D’Drift team will focus more on homestays that are emerging in various areas.
“I have been informed that they will be traveling to Belaga before returning to visit homestays in Padawan and Telok Melano.
“Through their journey, they will likely provide insightful commentaries and opinions, which could be beneficial for the homestays themselves. Since different homestays offer unique experiences, the feedback from D’Drift can help some of them improve their services,” he added.
DayakDaily extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for their unwavering support. Their sponsorship and grant contributions have been instrumental in bringing this year’s journey to fruition.
Since its launch, D’Drift has traversed diverse regions, including Ulu Baram, Ulu Belaga, and the interiors of Sarawak, continuously promoting sustainable tourism and community engagement. This year’s focus on homestays further builds on that legacy, offering a deeper exploration of Sarawak’s rural charms.
Adding a meaningful touch to this year’s edition, the D’Drift 2025 team will transport 1,052 books and 10 large bags of soft toys to Tarat under the initiative titled “Bless Rural Children with Books and Soft Toys.”
The items will be officially handed over to Tarat assemblyman Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who is also the Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD), on the final day, March 8.
For the record, DayakDaily launched its second-hand book collection campaign in 2022, successfully delivering over 1,000 books to SK Lusong Laku for the Penan children.
In August 2023, the initiative continued with the handover of more than 1,000 storybooks and two large bags of soft toys to the Orang Ulu community in Ulu Belaga.
Last year’s March, during D’Drift’s rendezvous to Ulu Baram, DayakDaily transported 1,340 books to the Reading Corner at Long Latei, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities.
This initiative, a collaborative effort between DayakDaily and Business Event Sarawak (BESarawak), with continuous support from the Kuching Freelance Journalist Association (Pewarta), is dedicated to uplifting local communities by sharing knowledge and inspiring learning through D’Drift, proving that every journey brings opportunities to educate and connect.
Also present were Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau; MTCP deputy permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan; STB director of Stakeholder Relations, Mary Wan Mering; and Pewarta president Peter Sibon. – DayakDaily
