SIBU, July 25: Mirians have been told to prepare for the influx of not only Bruneians but also Sarawakians arriving from Lawas and Limbang, and visitors from even as far away as Sabah once the Miri-Brunei border reopens on August 1.
According to Malaysian Association of Hotels, Sarawak Chapter chairman John Teo in a statement today, hotels, motels, inns and other accommodation providers must also ready themselves to ensure that their rooms, food and beverage outlets as well as other restaurants, pubs and bistros, as well as department stores, shopping malls, kopitiams and other hospitality-based businesses are all ready.
Teo said the State is expected to record a tourism receipt of RM120 million per month once the Miri-Brunei border reopens.
“With the Sungai Tujoh checkpoint opening, we should be expecting approximately 2,000 vehicles crossing into Miri.
“This will bring in at least 5,000 Bruneians as well as others into Miri. With average spending of RM800 per Bruneian in Miri, this will bring an average of RM4 million per day or RM120 million per month, or a minimum amount of RM1.44 billion per year in tourism spending,” he said.
Teo also expressed hope the border checkpoint closing time could be extended to 8pm to entice more Bruneians to stay in Miri.
“Both governments agreed to close even earlier at 6pm, which will be good for Miri F&B operators as well as for accommodation providers,” he added. — DayakDaily
