Hoteliers want open sky policy for Sibu
SIBU: Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association has called for the implementation of open sky policy for Sibu, saying that the town lacks direct connectivity for visitors.
Its chairman Johnny Wong Sie Lee lamented that tourists put off by the air connectivity problem are shying away though the town has much to offer.
“It is not because they don’t like Sibu. In actual fact, air connectivity is a problem especially for tourists from Korea, Japan and Hong Kong heading to Kota Kinabalu ( KK). They are not flying to Sibu because of the (smaller) aircraft.
“Only MASwings is flying the KK – Sibu route. Air Asia does not fly from KK to Sibu. That is why we have been emphasising the need for Ministry of Transport to open up the sky to other airlines,” he reiterated.
Wong was speaking at Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association’s
It is not because they don’t like Sibu. In actual fact, air connectivity is a problem especially for tourists from Korea, Japan and Hong Kong heading to Kota Kinabalu (KK). They are not flying to Sibu because of the (smaller) aircraft. Johnny Wong Sie Lee, Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association chairman
dinner 2018 here on Sunday, which was also attended by Sibu police deputy chief Martin Koo.
Wong lamented that the airfares are sometimes too pricey especially when purchased over the counter at the airport.
He recalled being charged RM400 for a trip from Kuching to Sibu as he bought the air ticket at the last minute.
On a separate matter, he said the association has been around for 45 years and urged members to continue working closely with the authorities like the Police and Fire Rescue Services Department ( Bomba).
Meanwhile, during the annual general meeting held on Sunday afternoon, Wong was re- elected the chairman with Lau Nai Meng as the deputy chairman 1, Paul Chuo Kuong Yu as deputy chairman 2 and Tony Hii Doh Ming as secretary.
Two other secretaries are Jordan Hii King Lung (Chinese) and Loi Siok Hung ( Bahasa Melayu).
Others in the committee are treasurer Loh Lay Chai, assistant treasurer Tiong Kung Chuen, social affairs officer Wendy Tang Wei Wei, assistant social affairs officer Irene Wong Mee Hung and supervisor Ting Tiew Sing.
At the same function, appointment letters were also handed to pro-tem committee of Sarawak Chapter for Malaysia Budget Hotel Association ( MyBHA).
Heading the pro-tem committee is Lau Nai Meng, deputy chairman and advisor Johnny Wong Sie Lee, secretary Lau Jia Juang, deputy secretary Jordan Hii King Lung, treasurer Ling Teck Lo, deputy treasurer Wendy Tang Wei Wei, coordinators for Miri division is Yek Nai Leong, Mukah division is Koh Lian Ann, Kapit division is Paul Chuo Kuong Yu, Kuching division is Benil Chieng Huo Ung and Sibu division is Goh Tze Chiang.