170 tourism stakeholders expected at Tourism Forum
MIRI: Some 170 participants from various tourism stakeholders here are expected at a Tourism Forum at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC) on April 29.
Chairman of Miri City Council (MCC)’s tourism development standing committee Councillor Ernest Goh said the participants are involved in tourism-related development such as hoteliers, transportation, travel agents, tour operators and many others.
“The council welcomes these tourism stakeholders to attend the forum.
“Their support is crucial as the council is going to document all feedback and problems faced by tourism stakeholders here.
“These feedbacks and problems will be compiled and forwarded to the chief minister,” he said, telling the media to elaborate on the tourism development agenda highlighted by him during the full council meeting yesterday.
Goh said MCC will look for financial support from the state government to improve the existing tourism efforts including infrastructure for the city and nearby areas.
He revealed that the council is seeking support from tourism stakeholders to make 2018 a Visit Miri Year (VMY).
“During the last full council meeting, we endorsed the commitment to make next year VMY 2018. Let’s work together to make this effort a success,” he said.
The theme for VMY 2018 is ‘Miri Uniquely Borneo’.
Earlier, Miri mayor Adam Yii said MCC will give do its best to explore tourism’s potential as a new engine of economic growth for the city.
Yii said the council would take up the challenge to achieve the aspiration despite time constraint for preparation.
He believed the implementation of such a tourism programme will put the city on the map as a preferred place to visit, not only in Sarawak but the country as a whole.
The full council meeting was also attended by Miri Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julaihi Mohd and MCC secretary Morshidi Frederick.