By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 9: The Sia Sitok campaign, which was launched in August this year, has generated more than RM900,000 in sales for 634 tour packages and 3,677 pax to date.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting thus urged local people to continue giving their full support for the campaign by choosing Sarawak as their preferred holiday destination.
“The campaign was part of the tourism rehabilitation plans to revive the local tourism industry and a good way of sustaining and maintaining the tourism eco-system for the industry players such as tour and park guides, drivers, operators and restaurants during these challenging times.
“Besides helping the local tourism players, it creates interest for locals to start exploring our home attractions,” he said during the third and last Sarawak Tourism Coordination Committee Meeting for the year at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
The Sia Sitok Campaign has extended its booking until Dec 31, 2020 and travelling period to March 31, 2021.
Due to movement restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ting noted that the process of digitalisation was the ‘new normal’ in many industries including the tourism sector.
“It will play a significant role in ensuring the success of our rehabilitation plans for the tourism industry.
“Utilisation of Sarawak Travel App as part of Covid-19 Sarawak Tourism Promotion Campaign was vital for promotion and marketing works,” he said.
Hence, Motac would also look into enhancing Sarawak Travel App by integrating e-commerce platforms into it to allow tour agencies to promote and sell tour packages online.
“This will provide a convenient one-stop service for tourists to search info of places and available tour packages for purchase.
“Ultimately, this boils down in providing a secure and reliable digital platform for our industry players to boost their income and revive the tourism industry,” he added.
He also urged all residents for being the chairman of Divisional Tourism Task Groups to continue to share our policies, directions and strategies with their members.
“Facilitate and help transform our strategies and directions into opportunities and initiatives at divisional and district levels.
“Help your local communities to participate in community-based tourism such as homestay, local hosts, crafts and souvenirs-making to reap the benefits from tourism especially in raising their household income,” he called on, believing that the strategies planned were achievable.
Motac permanent secretary Hii Chang Kii, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor, Motac Malaysia Sarawak director Suriya Charles Buas and Sarawak Arts Council CEO Sharkawi Amit were present. – DayakDaily
