By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Dec 17: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is targeting at least 5 million visitors coming to the state during Visit Sarawak Year 2019.
STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said the state government has invested a “generous amount” in the campaign and the board has been engaging various industry players to play their part in ensuring that Sarawak is visible not just domestically but also internationally.
“As I’m sure you all know, in the coming year, we intend to bring Sarawak to the world and the world to Sarawak with our Visit Sarawak Campaign. Our visitor arrivals goal for the year 2019 has been set at 5 million, and in pursuit of these goals, we know that visibility on Sarawak is key.
“In this regard, we are pleased to secure a working partnership with Laduni Services Sdn Bhd and AirAsia in ensuring that the branding of Sarawak is seen far and wide on the aircrafts operating in the region.
“We look forward to seeing this vision realised physically on the side of this aircraft, and we expect that when passengers see this majestic hornbill emblazoned on the side of their plane, they will be intrigued to know just what there is to discover in Sarawak,” she said today.
Sharzede on behalf of STB signed a Memorandum of Agreement today with advertising and media company Laduni Services Sdn Bhd to help promote Visit Sarawak 2019 on various platforms, including installing livery on AirAsia aircraft.
One AirAsia Malaysia aircraft would be fitted with Visit Sarawak 2019 interior and exterior livery and three with only interior livery. Two AirAsia Thailand aircraft will also be installed with only interior livery.
During the question-and-answer session, Sharzede said the key to the success of the campaign would the the roles played by the stakeholders and industry players, including the media.
She said visibility would be key for the success of the campaign and thus, pointed out while not disclosing any amount, that the state government has been very generous in funding the campaign.
“We are also going very strongly through digital platforms and we hope we would be able to capture the travelers who are very IT savvy. As you all know, 60-70 per cent of people who are travelling (by air) now go to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) so we will be also going into that part where digital becomes the way for STB to promote the state,” she added.
AirAsia Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar said he was confident that Sarawak, together with AirAsia, would be able to achieve the targeted 5 million visitors during Visit Sarawak 2019.
“I think it’s not going to be very difficult for Sarawak because personally I think Sarawak has so much to offer. From nature whether it’s the wild jungle or the sea and beaches, food and and the culture, ethnic groups of at least 27, there’s so much to offer and I think it’s going to be very exciting.
“I would not be surprised if they can even exceed the target of 5 million visitors,” he said. — DayakDaily
