By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 5: Sarawak’s participation at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Kuala Lumpur 2025 will see the announcement of Kuching as the eighth destination under Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme.
In a press release, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) said this would position the State as a must-visit destination for global travellers, while the MATTA Fair provides the ideal stage to share the milestone with a broad audience.
The BST programme, offered by Malaysia Airlines, is designed to encourage international travellers to discover more of Malaysia during their trip.
“Passengers flying into the country on international tickets can add an extra domestic destination at no additional fare, paying only the applicable taxes. With Kuching’s inclusion, Sarawak becomes the first and only Bornean destination in the programme, expanding its reach beyond Peninsular Malaysia,” said STB.
By being part of the BST programme, Sarawak is positioned as the natural gateway to Borneo, offering international visitors experiences anchored in its pillars of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festivals (CANFF).
This outcome stems from the partnership between the STB and MAG, formalised in 2024 to enhance air connectivity and joint tourism promotion in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Kuching’s inclusion in the BST programme reflects a key result of this collaboration.
The launching ceremony, set to take place tomorrow (Sept 6) at the MAG Arena, Level 3, of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), will be marked by a handshake ceremony between Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor, chief executive officer (CEO) of STB, and Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of Airlines, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
In the press release, Sharzede said that inclusion in the programme reflects the strong partnership built between STB and MAG.
“This milestone demonstrates how collaboration with our national carrier can create real opportunities for Sarawak, by making it easier for international travellers to include us in their journey.
“Through this initiative, Sarawak is broadening its international reach and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism growth as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” she said.
At the MATTA Fair KL At MATTA Fair KL which starts today and ends on Sunday (Sept 7), at MITEC, Sarawak will showcase its diverse attractions through 19 exhibitors, cultural performances, live demonstrations, and exclusive travel deals.
For more information, visit STB’s website or follow it on social media on Facebook or Instagram. — DayakDaily
