Tuesday 12 March 2024

Commending our media friends for their community related initiatives

I have commended our media friends from Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching (Pewarta) and DayakDaily for having continue to work together with Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak) for the third year to bring secondhand books to our folks in rural areas.

They have also expressed the hope of setting up reading corners and libraries for the residents in some of the remotest parts of Sarawak. The first programme they had jointly undertaken was the "Gift of Love" which was launched in 2016.

The community related programme is a good way for the business event industry to connect with local communities and create a positive reading culture among children and teenagers by improving their access to educational resources. 

Dayak Daily first collaborated with BE Sarawak and Pewarta in 2022 to deliver over 1,000 books to SK Lusong Laku for the Penan children while in 2023 there were 1,000 storybooks and two big bags of soft toys to the Orang Ulu community in Ulu Belaga. 

For this year, over 1,000 secondhand books and three boxes of soft toys are to be delivered to the Long Latei Penan Service Centre in Ulu Baram which will bring smiles and empower young minds in rural Sarawak through the provision of secondhand books.






Over 200 tourism related events & activities in Sarawak's Calendar of Events 2024 (CoE2024)

There are over 200 tourism related events which are scheduled to be held throughout Sarawak in this year’s Calendar of Events (CoE2024). The ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak had listed only 88 events in their CoE2024 but others will be announced via press conferences later. T

he listed events will include film production events, sports events, food and culture events, and many others. Thank to the ministry for having invited me to chair the recent State Tourism Steering Committee Meeting and also to launch the CoE2014 as well as the “Quick Facts Book 2023”.

The listed events will include our iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Borneo Jazz Festival (BJF), Sarawak Regatta, International Dragon Boat Race and many more. In our concerted effort to meet the targeted tourist arrivals, we plan to host a plethora of exciting events every week.

These events will showcase the rich cultural tapestry, culinary delights, and natural beauty that Sarawak has to offer which include prominent events such as the various regattas around the state and the Rainforest World Music Festival, which have historically attracted substantial interest from tourists worldwide.

The comprehensive events calendar aims not only to boost tourist numbers but also to ensure that visitors have a memorable and immersive experience during their time in Sarawak.







Wednesday 6 March 2024

Meeting our media friends in Internationale Tourismus Boerse (ITB), Berlin 2024 in Germany.

Our thanks to media friends who took their time to interview me during the Internationale Tourismus Boerse (ITB), Berlin 2024 in Germany.

Among those who had interviewed me were namely Karen Leerchi from Tourism Lifestyle Magazine, Wolfgang Konig from Berlin Radio, Ines Norden of Tourist Austria International Magazine and Oliver Graue of FVW.

I have also cordially invited them to visit Sarawak and experience themselves of our Sarawakian hospitality as well as the unique tourism attractions.





Tuesday 5 March 2024

Renewed Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) between Sarawak Tourism Board and Tischler Reisen (TR)

We congratulate the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for having signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German tour operator Tischler Reisen (TR) at this year’s world largest tourism trade fair, Internationale Tourismus Boerse (ITB) Berlin, Germany to raise Sarawak's profile among European travellers.

Under the partnership, TR will help promote Sarawak with offline and online tour packages through its network of 600 agencies across Germany.

Sarawak aims to amplify its attraction as one of the popular tourists destination, inviting global travellers to embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration. In 2023, Sarawak had received a total of 57,496 European travellers which is an increase of 121% from previous year.

The Europe market's performance last year also showed a recovery of 81.5% compared to 2019, when Sarawak recorded its highest number of European visitor arrivals.




Monday 4 March 2024

Great response to Sarawak's participation in Internationale Tourismus Boerse (ITB)" in Berlin, Germany

It was a delightful event and we thank all guests who have attended the official opening of #sarawak “Gateway to #borneo” pavilion at this year’s world largest tourism trade fair, "Internationale Tourismus Boerse" (ITB) which started on March 3 in Berlin, Germany.

The pavillion's set up was among the attractions at ITB and it will continue to elevate Sarawak’s prominence among the countries taking part in this year’s event. The pavilion itself aims to showcase Sarawak’s diverse attractions that will entice discerning travellers across Europe.

Sarawak aims to position itself as the preferred destination for European tourists through its new "Gateway to Borneo" campaign which can position our state as the main gateway to Borneo, which also includes Sabah, Kalimantan and Brunei.

Through this campaign, Sarawak aims to amplify its allure as a prime destination, inviting global travellers to embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration," it said in a statement. For the record, Sarawak had received 57,496 European travellers last year, an increase of 121% from the previous year.

Europe market's performance last year also showed a recovery of 81.5% compared to 2019, when Sarawak recorded its highest number of European visitor arrivals. Sarawak is therefore optimistic of surpassing 2019 levels in terms of European arrivals this year.