Ting: Aggressive marketing, stakeholders’ cooperation vital for Sarawak’s tourism growth
Aggressive marketing strategies and cooperation from the local tourism players should help boost the state government’s efforts towards achieving the target of welcoming four million visitors to Sarawak this year, said Datuk Sebastian Ting.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this in his address when representing the minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Fourth ‘Pesta Bubuk Miri’in Batu Satu Fishermen Market here, yesterday.
Ting, who is Piasau assemblyman, regarded such a holistic marketing strategy involving all stakeholders, local businesses and communities as ‘essential’ in preparing Miri for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
“On the government’s part, this involves the development of infrastructures and the promotion of ecotourism.
“The government prioritises sustainable tourism, where there will be a balance between the industry and the preservation of natural resources,” he said, adding that the government’s efforts would also include minimising the development impacts on the environment.
Touching on Miri’s tourism marketing strategy with its tagline ‘Going International’, Ting said the Miri City Council (MCC) had been actively promoting the city, locally and abroad.
“Under its current tourism strategy, MCC is committed to achieving the vision of turning Miri into a ‘Green, Smart and the Most Liveable International Resort City’.
“This Pesta Bubuk adds to Miri’s potential in tourism as it is the only festival meant for promoting ‘bubuk’ (krill shrimps) in Malaysia.
“The upgrading of infrastructures and facilities, as well as the completion of PanBorneo Highway will enable the tourists to explore Sarawak, including Miri,” he said, adding that the festival also attracted visitors from Brunei.
Meanwhile, on the popularity of Miri’s ‘belacan’ (shrimp paste), Ting suggested that the locally-made shrimp paste be patented just like the Bintulu’s ‘belacan’.
“Miri’s belacan has its own special features and demand, of which the product can go beyond borders with extensive marketing strategy,” he said.
Among those present were Pujut assemblyman Mayor Adam Yii, the deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad, and MCC’s Tourism Development Committee chairman Councillor John Trawe.