Time for Miri Tourism Information Centre to be upgraded – Lee
MIRI: It is time for the relevant agencies to look into upgrading the 22-year- old run- down Miri Tourism Information Centre (TIC) to avoid negative perception of tourists to Miri City.
Expressing disappointment with the situation, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said TIC as the main destination tourists go to for information should be a vibrant and welcoming place.
“As we can see, the surrounding area is very run- down and we need Miri City Council ( MCC) to do something about it and I also would like to propose for the gazebo to be removed and turned into a business car park.
“Now it (gazebo) is not maintained, unused and we can see some vagabonds sleeping there which is very unsightly.
“The landscaping needs to be recreated and the TIC building needs to be upgraded too so that we can have a proper TIC,” he told reporters after inspecting the TIC with representatives from Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Public Works Department (JKR), MCC and Miri Resident’s Office.
He stressed that the task involves cooperation between the TIC, MCC and JKR to manage the landscape, repair and maintain the building infrastructure within the centre and the surrounding area.
The Senadin assemblyman further said from January to November this year, the TIC received 1,488 visitors from around the world and the number is expected to increase to more than 1,500 by end of this month.
“The visitors are from around the world and it is important for us to maintain the vibrancy of this place and in line with our Visit Sarawak Campaign starting in 2019, we need to upgrade our tourism facilities and infrastructure. This TIC was established in 1996 and it is time for it and the surrounding areas to be upgraded.
“Visitors want to get information or maps on tourism products offered here, including national parks, food, and so forth and this is the place to visit. This TIC is quite a big area and I am asking the JKR, MCC and STB to work together and come up with a plan to upgrade this TIC and I would like the council to do their part first,” he stressed.
A passerby who declined to be named meanwhile said the TIC looks gloomy and does not look inviting at all.
“It looks like an old museum. The building does not stand out and I have seen homeless people sleeping at the dirty, neglected gazebo and it is not safe for the public. I wish something can be done to the place as it is located right at the heart of the city. This is actually embarrassing for the locals,” said the 43-year- old selfemployed man from Miri.
Also present were STB director of events and corporate relations Angelina Patricia Bateman, JKR architect Muhd Harith Muhaimin and TIC manager Denva Ajeng Wan.
As we can see, the surrounding area is very run-down and we need MCC to do something about it and I also would like to propose for the gazebo to be removed and turned into a business car park. Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture