By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, April 29: The first three months of this year have shown that tourist arrivals in Sarawak were recorded at more than 300,000 each month, over 900,000 in total, with international tourists making up half of these figures.
According to Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the consistent focus given by the Sarawak government to develop all places of interest in Sarawak would help strengthen local economies.
“My ministry is also focusing on boosting tourism activities in the Northern Region of Sarawak, especially areas within the Miri Division, Limbang, Lawas, Mulu, and Baram,” he said at the closing of the fifth edition of the Highland Folk Music and Dance Festival in Long Bedian today.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the Highland Folk Music and Dance Festival has the potential to be on par with other events in Sarawak, such as the Siniawan Art and Folklore Music Festival and Kuching Festival.
“The festival is growing, and I am confident it could become a massive event in the near future as it is slowly gaining popularity not only among the locals but also international tourists,” he said.
He also suggested that the festival’s name be re-branded to promote the local community in Long Bedian.
“Tourism is a massive industry, and that is why I wanted to see if we can organise this festival on a bigger scale to lure not only locals but tourists from abroad to Long Bedian,” he said.
The fifth edition of the three-day Highland Folk Music and Dance Festival, which kicked off on April 27, has drawn more than 2,000 visitors, including outsiders.
Long Bedian, about a four-hour drive from Miri City via logging road, is populated by the Kenyah, Kayan, and Penan communities.
Also present were Abdul Karim’s deputy Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Telang Usan assemblyman cum Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau; and chief executive officer of the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor.
At the event, Abdul Karim also announced an allocation worth RM100,000, which will be distributed to SMK Long Bedian’s Parent Teacher Association (PIBG), Long Bedian village development and security committee (JKKK), and Long Bedian’s church. — DayakDaily
