By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 19: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad (MAG) for a three-year partnership to promote Sarawak as a premier tourist destination.
Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said using the services and reach of Malaysia Airlines, STB will develop and execute tourism initiatives on an annual basis, ensuring they are continually reviewed and refined.
This partnership, he said, aligns seamlessly with Sarawak’s ambitious goal for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“Our collaborative efforts are intended to complement and strengthen each party’s existing tourism promotion activities, with the ultimate aim of attracting over 35.6 million tourists to Malaysia by 2026.
“This partnership represents a strategic and forward-thinking approach to achieving our tourism objectives, enhancing our global appeal, and firmly positioning Sarawak as a top destination for travellers worldwide,” he said in a speech text read out by his Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2024 Sponsors’ Appreciation Day event at Imperial Hotel here today.
Ting witnessed the MoU signing between STB chief executive officer Datu Sharzede Salleh Askor and MAG chief executive officer of Airlines, Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi.
Speaking during a press conference afterwards, Sharzede explained that the partnership with MAG will look into STB’s flagship events such as RWMF, Rainforest Youth Summit, Borneo Jazz Festival, and major travel fairs.
From there, STB will look into collaboration on airlines, bringing in key opinion leaders (KOLs), familiarisation trips and so on.
“So these are things that I think is a win-win situation for both the airlines as well as the destination and the whole country in general,” she emphasised. — DayakDaily
