MIRI: On top of allowing inter-state travel into the state, Sarawak is also looking forward to the reopening of its borders with Brunei and Singapore to restart the state’s cross-border tourism industry.
Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting revealed this at a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Tourism Coordination Committee (STCC) meeting here on Thursday (Nov 4).
“Scoot Airline is now flying twice weekly to Kuching from Singapore. Soon, it will also fly twice weekly between Singapore and Miri at the beginning of 2022. This will help the tourism industry to restart.
“Business events and arts, culture and heritage events are also gradually being reactivated as standard operating procedures (SOPs) are further relaxed. This has greatly encouraged industry players after such a long halt to their businesses and activities,” he added.
Ting also urged all Divisional Tourism Task Groups chairmen to continue sharing the ministry’s policies, directions and strategies with their members.
“Please transform our strategies and directions into opportunities and initiatives at divisional and district levels. Help your local communities to participate in community-based tourism such as homestay, local hosts, the making of crafts and souvenirs to reap the benefits from tourism, especially in raising their household incomes.
“We believe that the strategies we have planned are achievable and together we can do so much more,” he added.
Ting also told the press conference that Sarawak aimed to be a leading destination for eco-tourism and business events in the Asean region by the year 2030.
The Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said his ministry came up with these tourism aspirations under the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), in line with Sarawak’s aim of becoming a developed state by 2030 and providing high income for the people.
“We are also finalising the third Sarawak Tourism Master Plan 2021-2035 which is expected to be completed and launched in December this year.
“The Sarawak government has also put emphasis on regional development and regional development plans were produced. My ministry will ensure policies and plans for tourism, arts and culture in these masterplans are translated into action plans in stages,” he said.
