KUCHING, Feb 6: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has urged the private sector in Kuching to match the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture’s (Motac) efforts by providing adequate accommodation options for Sarawak’s growing tourist population.
Wee acknowledged the growth in tourism and the efforts of Motac minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing in expanding connectivity, introducing direct flights, and showcasing Sarawak’s beauty and cultural richness to the world.
“Our Federal Tourism minister and fellow Sarawakian, YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, has been putting in place the infrastructure to bring more visitors into Kuching.
“His recent announcement of the collaboration with China Eastern Airlines to introduce direct flights from Nanjing to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu is a testament to his proactive approach to expanding connectivity and boosting tourism.
“As a proud Sarawakian, he is committed to showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of our State to the world,” he said in his speech at the Onyx Hotel and Onyx Residence launching ceremony held today at Gala City.
The mayor continued: “So the private sector in Kuching must match these efforts. With the increasing number of tourists coming into Sarawak, it becomes imperative to have sufficient accommodation options.
“We want every visitor’s trip to Sarawak to be a memorable and comfortable experience as they take advantage of the increasing convenience of travelling to our city, the gateway to Borneo.”
Wee further highlighted that Kuching, as a recognised City of Gastronomy under Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation), must provide visitors with new and exciting food options.
“New developments like this will allow our gastronomic sector to expand and innovate, ensuring that our visitors will not only enjoy our scenic beauty but also relish our local culinary delights,” he added.
He also emphasised the potential economic contributions from the influx of visitors, citing the promise of substantial contributions to the flourishing Sarawak economy.
Furthermore, the mayor advocated for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to address the growing demand for accommodation, anticipating the rise of more hotels and resorts through partnerships.
“In order to maintain high standards in hospitality, we are pleased to announce that hospitality management courses will be made available, providing an opportunity for individuals to enhance their knowledge and skills in handling modern management practices.
“This will ensure that Sarawak remains a memorable destination, offering not just natural beauty but also a warm and professionally managed hospitality experience for all our visitors.”
Wee further expressed hope that the new developments, Onyx Hotel and Onyx Residence, will support Kuching’s efforts to grow into a more sustainable city, expanding accommodation options, supporting the industry, and building communities.
Also present at the event was Tiong. — DayakDaily
