Folklore festival participation limited to maximum 12 countries
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) will for the first time introduce an upfront payment and maximum participation of 12 countries in 2016.
“To ensure the quality of performances and its management, we have decided this year, to limit participation to only 10 countries and, if there is an insistence, of not more than 12,” said Tourism, Culture and Environment minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, at the SIFF 2016 press conference here yesterday.
“We find in other places; it is not organized for free as we have done. Meaning most international events we bear it ourselves, in terms of flights and accommodation. So as to adapt to international practice, starting from this year, we will introduce a fee of USD30 for each participant,” he added.
Masidi said, the payment will attract participation from serious contenders and push for better quality performances.
“Our hope is our hope, this introduction will somehow force participants to come here and really show off their greatness in the cultural field and not simply come just for a getaway,” he affirmed.
Quality of the event will also help to boost Sabah's tourism industry through the international participants of SIFF 2016, said Masidi.
In addition, through past observations, participants from certain countries choosing to stay in star rated hotels outside of the organizers recommendation will also indirectly boost the tourism ticket in surrounding areas.
A total of 168 groups from 92 countries, such as Albania, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, China, Mexico, and Scotland, have been invited to participate in SIFF 2016.
So far, 24 countries, including Armenia, Argentina, Ghana, Ireland, Philippines, Thailand, have expressed their interest while Bulgaria has confirmed participation in SIFF 2016.