SIBU: Tourism industry players have been urged to capitalise on Royal Brunei Airlines’ (RBA) six weekly flights to this town by coming up with attractive tour packages.
The inaugural RBA flight on a brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft operated by Malindo Air landed at Sibu Airport at 2.40pm yesterday with 65 people including the crew members.
Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah, who spoke at the flight launch, said tour packages should be targeted at tourists who seek to enjoy nature and adventure.
“Sibu, which is the gateway to the hinterland of Upper Rajang, has so much to offer to visitors.
“I hope travel agencies and Sibu Municipal Council would look into the operation of this flight.”
Abdul Karim said when the Sibu-Kapit Road is completed next year, there would be so much for visitors to see such as the lush green forest and culture.
As for Sibu town, he pointed out that it has its own attractions such as delicious local delicacies like ‘kompia’ and ‘kampua mee’ (Foochow dry noodle).
Concerning the flights, he said that locals flying to places such as China, London, Tokyo and Melbourne no longer have to take connecting flights in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
“They can opt for flights to Brunei and connect to other international destinations. RBA is also expected to fly to a total of 30 international destinations by year end,” he added.
“Now that RBA is flying here, I strongly believe that more international airlines would also fly here.
“In the pipeline are other international flights that will be launched very soon. We are still sorting out the landing rights for them,” he disclosed.
Also present were RBA senior vice president sales Ai-Ling Ng; the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee; MAHB route development officer Zainuddin Mohamad; and Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Salleh Askor.
