Visit Sarawak: Majestic hornbill to take to the skies as part of AirAsia aircraft livery
KUCHING: The image of Sarawak’s majestic hornbill will take to the skies on an AirAsia aircraft for a period of two years starting next year, as part of the Visit Sarawak campaign that commences in January.
Sarawak Tourism Board ( STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said the special aircraft livery will be emblazoned on the aircraft to promote Sarawak colours to the world.
“The aircraft will be f lying regionally throughout Southeast Asia for a period of two years while decorated with our vibrant ly coloured design depicting a hornbill, the majestic bird that is held sacred by our local native communities.
“It has even become our namesake as Sarawak is also known as the Land of the Hornbi l ls,” she said at the Aircraft Livery memorandum of agreement ( MoA) signing ceremony between STB and Laduni Services Sdn Bhd here yesterday.
She explained that the use of this image, along with the eye- catching colours in the new Sarawak logo design, is instrumental in promoting Sarawak as a destination full of life, vibrancy and excitement with its many attractions and products in the areas of culture, adventure, nature, festivals and food.
Apart from the livery on an Air Asia aircraft, Sharzede revealed that the interiors of this aircraft along with three AirAsia Malaysia aircraft and two AirAsia Thailand aircraft will also be prominently adorned with visuals depicting elements of Sarawak’s culture, adventure, nature, festivals and food on overhead baggage compartments and meal trays.
She pointed out that for STB, in its pursuit to achieve its target of five million visitor arrivals for the year 2019, visibility is the keyword for the tourism campaign and hence the reason why it embarked on a joint collaboration with its strategic partners – Laduni Services and AirAsia – to ensure that the branding of Sarawak is seen far and wide on aircraft 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.
“We are excited and are looking forward to showcase Sarawak’s uniqueness to the world. As a Sarawakian, I truly believe that visitors will be amazed that we still maintain the product authenticity with modern comfort.”
In addition to this, Sharzede said STB has also mapped out its strategy to promote Sarawak domestically and internationally by intensifying and multiplying its marketing approaches through digital platforms.
“Around 60 to 70 per cent of travellers today do most of their trip planning and research online, and we will be going digital as one of the ways for STB to promote the state.”
During the signing ceremony, Sharzede signed on behalf of STB while Laduni Services was represented by its managing director Syed Anuar Syed Ahmad.
Also present were STB chairman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz and AirAsia Board of Directors non-independent non executive director Dato Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar.