Proposed: Consortium to harness Sarawak’s vast tourism potential

MIRI: Tourism operators should look into setting up a consortium to fully harness the huge potential in Sarawak slated for the international market.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah believes that such idea would not only boost Sarawak tourism, but would also serve as its new engine of economic growth.

“My personal view on consortium is just like the concept of a bank merger – ideally, this concept is to make the banking institution stronger.

“We would want to encourage these small travel agents to merge. If they don’t merge, perhaps they should form a tourism consortium ,” he told reporters after launching the third Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( Matta) Miri Fair 2018 at Emart Riam yesterday.

Adding on, Abdul Karim also believes that through the proposed consortium, local tourism players could eye larger tourism sectors such as those in South East Asia and China.

In addition, the consortium would facilitate better negotiations, discussions and collaborations with bigger travel agencies such as those in China and Singapore, he said.

Regarding the current upgrading works on local tourism infrastructure, Abdul Karim assured the local players that the Sarawak government is commitment to providing tourists with first- class facilities.

“Any place of interest – whether it is by the beach or in the jungle – the tourism facilities there must be in first- class.

“We don’t want the tourists to have bad impression of our public facilities, such as toilet in poor condition, beds full of bugs and the walking trails not properly maintain. Most importantly, we don’t want any accident to befall the tourists,” he said.

Abdul Karim said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had tasked him with further promoting Niah National Park in Batu Niah and Tusan Beach in Bekenu.

“We will look at means to build up these areas further including setting up more chalets, which could boost to the downstream industry including those that manufacture food and handicrafts.”

In view of this, Abdul Karim wanted the tourism operators to come out with good ideas that could help Sarawak government in its tourism promotion.

On the Miri Matta Fair 2018, he said the event had grown – from having 25 booths last year to hosting 40 booths this year.

“Tourism is a very big industry not just in Malaysia, but also in the neighbouring Brunei, which has embarked on a big- scale tourism commitment.

“We would get ourselves connected not only with Brunei, but also with Kota Kinabalu.”

Abdul Karim said the Sarawak government is also working very hard to get more overseas flights to fly into Sarawak.

“Hopefully, Sarawak would get more flights not only to serve Miri, but also other parts across Sarawak.”

Abdul Karim was accompanied by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Matta Miri executive committee member and the fair’s organising chairman Wilson Chiam.