KUCHING: The Borneo Songwak Water Music Festival 2024, which will be held for the first time in Sarawak next month, can be used as an ecotourism product to attract tourists.
Sarawak Motorsport Associations (SMA) president and Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said this effort is expected to boost the state’s economy and increase revenue.
“This festival is different from other music festivals because the Songwak Festival is more of a water music festival that applies the principles of eco-green and environmental sustainability.
“At the same time, it proves that we support the efforts of young people to organise programmes that benefit Sarawak, including the public,” he said at a press conference held at Damai Lagoon here, on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the festival organiser and director of Primajaya Bersatu Sdn Bhd, Abang Azizan Iliya, said that although the festival incorporates elements of the water festival Songkran, which is held in Thailand every year, Songwak in Sarawak has its own differences.
“For the Songwak Festival, which will be held for three days from July 26 to 28, it will combine three unique concepts: a water festival, music lifestyle, and eco-green principles.
“This Songwak Festival does not apply Thai culture but practices the water festival concept used by them. Instead, we are incorporating the cultures of Sarawak throughout the festival in addition to attracting tourists to the state,” he said.
He also mentioned that the price of the advance purchase ticket is offered at RM250 for three days’ entry, while the Beach Warrior three-day, two-night package for two people costs RM1,388 at Damai Beach.
“As for the Lagoon Warrior package, a three-day, two-night stay for two people at Damai Lagoon costs RM1,888 and includes a pass to the festival and other benefits,” he said.
Organised at Sarawak Culutral Village, various activities are planned throughout the three-day event, including water splashing, music performances by international and local artistes, cultural shows, food festivals, mini fun fairs, and more.
This festival also targets visitors from home and abroad, especially from Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, China, Singapore, and Romania.
The organiaers strategically focus the target market on countries and states that have easy access to Kuching, Sarawak, through land and air transportation.
In addition, they aim to showcase global and local musical talent, highlighting the culture and biodiversity of Borneo.
Earlier, more than 40 luxury vehicles with SMA members and festival organisers joined the convoy from Saradise to Damai Lagoon as an effort to promote the Songwak Festival to the general public.
