Applauding the publication of our first Journal of Responsible Tourism Management (JRTM)

I thanked the people who have worked hard in coming up with the Sarawakian-managed Journal of Responsible Tourism Management (JRTM) for its achievements in making Sarawak more noticeable on the world map.

The journal which was launched in August last year is part of the joint effort made by UCSI University and our Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture over the last few years.  JRTM is published by Sarawak Research Society (SRS) and the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of UCSI University Sarawak Campus with the support of our ministry, and Regional Centre of Expertise Kuching.

Kudos to all those who have worked hard in this initiative and the publication of the first issue featured 7 articles from Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan. It is a remarkable milestone for all of us in Sarawak.  I know that a reputable journal has that appeal to the international audience but for JRTM, a new journal, to achieve so much in such a short span of time really deserves a lot of credit. I was also informed that more than 50 editorial board members from over 20 countries were involved in the process of publishing the JRTM.

Recently I was invited to grace the JRTM Forum which was held at UCSI Hotel in Kuching Isthmus and I thanked the organisers for giving me the honour to deliver the opening speech to the attendees which include speakers and participants both physically and online. They had shared on the different aspects of responsible tourism and to learn from one another. 

I have expressed hope that the communication and collaboration between academicians and industry players as well as between the locals and the internationals would be further reinforced with regard to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and responsible tourism management. It is also heartening to meet university representatives who had come and met me from time to time even during the pandemic in which they had presented new and innovative ideas to improve tourism initiatives in the state.

I can see their passion for creating values and improving the society more than anything else. Thus, we can view our cooperation as a true partnership, and I hope that all the stakeholders in the tourism industry will emulate such cooperation and work together with trust and long-term commitment. Moreover, by pulling minds together through continual discourse and publications, and by learning and working with each other, our tourism initiatives and development can be put into practice in a responsible and sustainable manner.