STB raises visibility in Indian, South Asian markets to woo more visitors to Sarawak
KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) officially participated in ITB India, an annual threeday business-to-business (B2B) trade show as part of its effort to further increase its visibility in the Indian and South Asian markets.
STB, along with local travel and tour operators from the southern, central and northern regions of Sarawak, networked with traders virtually at the Sarawak stand housed in Imperial Hotel here from April 5 to 7.
STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said Indian tourist arrivals to Malaysia showed a positive trend with a 15 per cent growth rate prepandemic in 2019.
“India scored fifth place in terms of visitor arrivals to Sarawak which marks the significance of tapping into the Indian market. In addition, with projections showing that among the 21 million Indians going abroad, more than 25 per cent of these travellers are going out of the country for a holiday.
“Furthermore, the profiling of the India market has also indicated that the younger generations are looking for destinations that offer exciting adventures, unique culture and less crowded tourism sites.
“Sarawak is an ideal ecoescape destination and its vast geographical landscape that spans over 120,000 square kilometres and low population density seem to have fulfilled their requirements of an ideal holiday destination,” she said.
ITB India Virtual brings together key travel industry leaders and international exhibitors from various segments of MICE, Leisure, Corporate and TravelTechnology.
The B2B virtual event connects the Indian and South Asian travel markets, offering three full days of virtual business appointments and digital conference programme.
Effective April 1, international travellers to Sarawak will have minimal travel procedures and may no longer need to apply through EnterSarawak or fill in the e-health declaration form, but to simply download the MySejahtera app and fill in the pre-departure form under the ‘Traveller Icon’ and meet all other requirements set.
Meanwhile, India has relaxed travel restrictions for travellers coming to India from Malaysia and no arrivals would need to quarantine.
Instead, international passengers are requested to selfmonitor their health for 14 days following their arrival, according to the Indian High Commission in Malaysia.
Travellers can refer to https:// mohfw.gov.in for the updated guidelines for international travels to India.
For more information about Sarawak, log on to Sarawak Tourism Board’s website https:// sarawaktourism.com.