By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 1: Free bus services, similar to the one implemented for Semenggoh, will be expanded if there are high-traffic tourist spots.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, stated that they are aware of the high demand for such services, but the location must be considered to avoid other consequences, including losses.
“Currently, the buses we arrange are for specific places, which we call tourist attraction areas, such as the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (SWC) and a few other places in Kuching.
“For us to place these buses in small villages, one concern is the distance and the possibility that not many people will use the buses, so it will also cause losses,” he said.
He said this to reporters after Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg visited his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his residence today.
Abdul Karim added that one of the factors in deciding on the free bus service was based on surveys to see the number of tourists coming to the location.
In this regard, he did not rule out the possibility of expanding this free bus service to the Bau and Borneo Highlands areas, which are currently developing, especially in the tourism sector.
Touching on the same matter regarding expansion to areas outside of Kuching, he mentioned that Miri could potentially be the next target, given that there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites there, namely Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park.
“I agree that if this service is implemented in these areas, it should be after the upgrading work of the facilities in those areas is completed, and the number of tourists starts to increase,” he added. — DayakDaily
