Bakun offers huge tourism potential

THE Sungai Asap resettlement scheme in Belaga where the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam is located, can be transformed into one of the best tourist destinations in Sarawak.

It has yet to be fully explored and promoted but most of the tourism-related industry players believe once the facilities are in place, it will become one of the world’s ‘must-go’ tourist destinations.

The Sungai Asap resettlement scheme was set up in 1998 to accommodate some 15,000 people from 15 longhouses who had to be relocated from their original villages in Balui River to make way for the Bakun Hydro project.

Principal Assistant Secretary to the Tourism Ministry Mary Wan Mering said travel agents needed to come up with exciting packages.

“I am happy that the longhouse folks are trying to start homestay programmes to improve their living standard. The ministry is hopeful their initiative will ensure the success of homestay programmes in Sungai Asap,” she said at the recent launching of the Uma Belor Leo Dian Belaga homestay programme.

“Homestay operators in Uma Belor must learn from successful operators through educational visits to Peninsular Malaysia. This will be one of the ministry’s plans.”

Mary hoped the locals would take advantage on what Bakun could offer, especially in ecotourism.

“The potential is there to be tapped. The people must seize the opportunity to benefit from this unique tourism asset,” she said.

Meanwhile, Samuel Chung, managing director of Straits Central Travel & Tour Agencies disclosed at the launching of Uma Belor Sungai Asap home-stay that six travel agents participated in the Bakun familiarisation trip.

“We have been to few longhouses. They are among the best products that can be commercialised locally and internationally,” he said.

Air connection

He suggested travel agents work with the local airline to promote Uma Belor as a transit point.

“With the help of the Tourism Ministry, we have talked to the airline to give us a special fare. I hope this will materialise soon. I have spoken to general manager of MasWing and he has agreed to hold further discussions on the matter.

“We want to concentrate on eco-tourism — the people come here for Nature. We also want to help train local tour guides to protect the interests of the local people. We are fully committed to this,” he added.

Chung also suggested a tourism task group be formed to educate the homestay operators on the tourism industry.

Earlier, during an interview, he described Bakun as a very interesting new product.

“Of course, we have the Batang Ai Dam which is beautiful as well but Bakun dam is something else – it’s one of the biggest in the world. So it’s the job for the tourism people to develop the area as a tourism product.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Bakun offers huge tourism potential
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Bako National Park: Eco-tourism hotspot lures Nature lovers

THE Bako National Park has become the latest eco-tourism hotspot with visitor arrivals increasing manifolds over the years even though the tropical getaway is accessible only by boats.

Its general manager Siali Aban revealed the park received a total of 38,810 visitors last year, exceeding the number as of October this year.

“There were 28,793 foreign and 10,017 local visitors last year. We have not totalled up the number of arrivals this year as we are just about to do our year end report,” he told reporters on a visit the park recently.

“However, our records show the figure (38,810) has exceeded the total number of visitors as of October this year.”

Siali also presented interesting statistics on visitors from 1980 to the present.

According to him, in the whole of the 80’s, the park recorded 127,336 visitors, of whom 93 per cent were locals.

“There was a sudden surge in local visitors after Kuching-Bako road was completed in 1985 – from 5,579 in 1984 to 29,247 a year later,” he said.

In the 90’s, however, overseas visitors increased greatly, forming 48 per cent of the total 161,559 visitor arrivals.

“There was an increase in foreign visitors in 1994-5 because of Visit Malaysia Year – from 3,634 in 1993 to 8,675 in 1994 and 9,795 in 1995,” Siali added.

Statistics on local visitors to the park show a steady trend while overseas visitor arrivals escalate annually.

“From the millennium to 2010, we have recorded a total of 286,203 visitor arrivals, of whom 74 per cent were foreigners,” he said.

A comparison between decades, the overall statistics show a distinct rise in foreign visitor arrivals from just seven per cent in the 80’s to 48 per cent in the 90’s and 74 per cent today.

As for local visitors, the graph reveals a strong turnout with 93 per cent in the 80’s followed by a sudden 52 per cent drop in the 90s to a small 26 per cent today.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bako National Park: Eco-tourism hotspot lures Nature lovers

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Calls for upgrade of Sandakan airport

SANDAKAN: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Liew Vui Keong said Sandakan should have a distinctive airport of international standing in order to attract more foreign tourists.

Describing Sandakan as a destination offering diversity in eco-tourism, he said based on the number of aircraft movements and the increasing number of passengers from year to year, it was appropriate for the airport to be upgraded and the flight frequencies increased in order to make it competitive with other airports in the country.

“Upgrading the airport is in line with the government’s aspiration to make Malaysia a premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

“The Ministry of Tourism targets the revenue earned from tourism be about RM161 billion with an influx of 36 million tourists by 2020,” he said.

Liew, who is also Sandakan member of paliament, added by upgrading it into an international airport, the district would be able to attract investors.

He said that when declaring open the 12th Sandakan Festival held at the lobby of the Sandakan airport yesterday.

The two-day festival which started yesterday, is an affirmation of welcome for tourists to visit Sandakan which is known for its natural environment and tropical rainforest.

Various events and activities have been planned to attract the people to come and visit the Sandakan airport.

“We must treat this airport not only as a point of arrival and departure but also to visit the outlets which offer products to suit the tourists’ tastes,” Liew added.

Continue reading at: Calls for upgrade of Sandakan airport
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Sabah has one of richest biodiversities

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has one of the richest biodiversities in the world with an area of 59 per cent covered by forests, according to the Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) chief representative in Malaysia, Tsutomo Nagae.

However, he said, it was faced with the threat of extinction due to the rapid economic development in the state.

As such, biodiversity conservation measures were considered necessary to be implemented as soon as possible in order to improve the situation, he said in his remarks at the closing of the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) at 1Borneo, near here, today.

Nagae said the Japanese government, through JICA, strongly committed itself to biodiversity conservation and had implemented the Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation (BBEC) programme in Sabah since 2002, in cooperation with various implementing agencies including the Sabah government and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

On the first phase of BBEC, he said the project focused on technology transfer with regard to building up the monitoring and research skills of different agencies, while the second phase focused on policy aspect by linking conservation activities with the decision-making process.

Nagae thanked the 21 participants from eight countries - Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Tanzania, Thailand and Uganda for their successful completion of the 24-day training course.

Continue reading at: Sabah has one of richest biodiversities
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Proboscis Monkeys cling to precious habitat in Brunei

Unlike in other parts of Borneo where the Proboscis monkeys
are found in sanctuaries or reserves, the colony of
Proboscis monkeys in Brunei lives relatively close to civilisation

Some groups of Proboscis monkeys live near their human neighbours

Tour operator taking visitors to the monkeys' habitat

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Mohammad Abdullah and
Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.

By Mohammad Abdullah

There are many species of animals found only in Borneo, and one such animal known locally as the "Burak" or "Bekantan" (Proboscis monkey) is one of the best kept secrets in Brunei Darussalam.

I once spied on a colony of Proboscis monkeys during an eco-tour in Sabah in 2002. Little did I know that we, in Brunei Darussalam, have our own colony of rare long-nosed pot-bellied celebrities which are also known as 'Orang Belanda' (Dutchman) due to their long nose and pot belly.

It was only a few years ago that Brunei ventured into eco-tourism and started tours to view these magnificent unique creatures literally in our own backyard.

Unlike in Sabah and other parts of the island of Borneo where the Proboscis monkeys are found in sanctuaries or reserves, the colony in Brunei lives relatively close to civilisation. In fact, some houses built close to the banks of mangrove swamps regularly get visits from the Dutchman. Making these endangered animals an almost permanent fixture in these residential areas, co-existing peacefully with their human neighbours.

These endangered animals are largely restricted to living in coastal areas and along rivers where they live only in lowland habitats such as coastal and riparian habitat, many of which are flooded by tides. It prefers dipterocarp forests, mangrove forests and riverine forests.

This species is rarely found more than a kilometre from water sources. It is perhaps the most aquatic of the primates and is a fairly good swimmer, capable of swimming up to 20m. It is known to swim across rivers.

Proboscis monkeys generally live in groups consisting of an adult male, some adult females and their offspring. Other groups also exist such as all-male groups. There are some individuals that are solitary, most of which are males.

The Proboscis monkey is assessed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and listed in Appendix I of CITIES. Its total population has decreased by more than 50 per cent in the 36-40 years to 2008 due to ongoing habitat loss and hunting in some areas.

Brunei's Proboscis monkeys are no different. Though they are not hunted, their habitat is endangered due to expanding residential areas and urban development, which threaten the mangrove forests.

Unless we do something to help preserve these animals by creating a reserve or sanctuary, then we are sure to lose one of Brunei's rare treasures.

To view these magnificent creatures, just pop down to the jetty and take one of the many tours that offer a river cruise of the Brunei River where tourists can see the Proboscis monkeys in their habitat.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
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Kapit needs more dynamic tourism products

KAPIT: Kapit needs more dynamic tourism products to attract more visitors to the town.

Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo said Kapit’s tourism industry is still in its infancy and tourists do not know where to go when they visit Kapit.

Promoting Kapit’s rich natural and cultural attractions alone, he said, did not suffice.

“Come up with tourism branded products like T-shirts, souvenirs, beadwork, handicrafts, places of attraction, etc. Small items for tourists to buy for remembrance.

“In places where tourism is well-developed and successfully run, there’s always tourism products as their trademark. Also the marketing must be strategic and packaging like websites, online information centre, availability of tour guides and services, places of interest, facilities,” he said during the soft launching of the four-day Kapit Mini Carnival yesterday.

It is being held in conjunction with the two-day Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, which begins today.

“Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari is a very important event. It’s on the Kapit calendar to promote Kapit as a premier eco-tourism destination.

Continue reading at: Kapit needs more dynamic tourism products
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Sibu needs to develop eco-tourism to attract tourists

SIBU: Tour operators here have been urged to design exciting inbound tour packages in order to tap into the vast eco-tourism potential of Sibu and its hinterlands.

Sibu divisional tourism task group (STTG) chairman Sim Kok Kee said this would provide the niche factor to entice tourists, making up for its lack of places of interest.

“Thus far, there is only one tour operator who is actively providing inbound tour packages. We hope other operators will jump onto the band wagon to creatively come up with inbound tour packages,” Sim told The Borneo Post.

He believes that eco-tourism will appeal to a particular segment of tourists who have no qualms about spending money just to experience the attractions.

At a ‘Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri’ held here last Monday, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said eco-tourism was poised to become the most important economic sector for the state to generate wealth.

Taib said this was because it would open up the interiors such as Belaga and Ulu Baram to the outside world, and showcase the state’s rich natural heritage and cultures.

Citing bird-watching, Sim, who is also Sibu Resident, said: “There are tourists who would love to spend hours watching a particular species of birds while enjoying the panoramic view of nature.”

To this, he hoped that Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) would help to identify possible sites for the unique activity, adding that he had heard positive comments from some animal lovers that they sighted rare species of birds at Bukit Lima Nature Park.

Echoing Sim’s view, Sarawak Central Region Hoteliers Association chairman Johnny Wong Sie Lee recalled that some years ago a group of Japanese scholars visited Kanowit just to view the mystical pitcher plants there.

Wong, who used to operate inbound tours, believes that it is vital that Sibu come up with eco-tourism products to attract tourists.

Continue reading at: Sibu needs to develop eco-tourism to attract tourists

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Ancient crocodile effigies to lure eco-tourists to Sarawak

MIRI: Ancient crocodile effigies are set to become another of Sarawak's ecological tourism attractions to snap up the tourist ringgit.



Carved from earth and used as part of rituals practised by the Iban and Lun Bawang communities, the 3,000-year-old effigies symbolise the enduring spirit of the crocodile.



The tropical amphibious reptile, it must be noted, outlived the dinosaurs that ruled the earth millions of years ago.



Sarawak Museum director Ipoi Datan said the effigies, which symbolise the spirit of the crocodiles, were discovered in over 70 locations between Betong Division in the southern part of the state and Lawas, Sarawak's northernmost district.



"We have started carrying out a survey on the sites of the effigies in 2004 and the works were intensified, three years later.



"The biggest found so far, is about 53 feet (16.2 metre) long," he said here recently.



From survey works, he said, over 40 sites belonging to the Iban community were found between Betong Division and Balingian, in the Mukah Division.



Continue reading at: Ancient crocodile effigies to lure eco-tourists to Sarawak

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Sarawak's traditional craft can draw international visitors to boost rural economy

KUCHING: Sarawak’s traditional beads have the potential to be a tourist attraction besides boosting the rural economy.



Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s bead-making industry, mainly found in the northern region, had yet to reach wide exposure beyond local shores.



“I feel it is time for us to expose the value of our beads in terms of their heritage and potential economic value,” he said when announcing the second Borneo International Beads Conference yesterday.



Johari said his ministry was currently in the planning stages of developing the rural economy through ecotourism, and that beads could play a part.



“One of the economic activities in rural areas is making beads. If we add value to bead-making, such as ensuring quality and good design, it can be an attraction that will lure tourists to visit the rural areas. The community can participate in rural economy by producing high quality beads that have a certain value,” he said.



As such, Johari said the conference from Oct 7 to 9 was a platform for the ministry to work with bead enthusiasts in promoting and developing the local bead industry.



“They can do research on the economic potential of beads and whether beads can become a designer item. A lot of research also needs to be done on bead making itself.



“Ultimately, if we have the infrastructure, Kuching or Sarawak will be known as a regional centre for bead research. That is the long-term plan,” he said.



Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak's traditional craft can draw international visitors to boost rural economy

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Bakun an eco-tourism goldmine

KAPIT: Bakun is not only a giant hydroelectric powerhouse but its lake, which is about the size of the Republic of Singapore, is also an eco-tourism goldmine.



Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said what the people in the surrounding areas, especially those in Sg Asap resettlement area, should do now was come together, form a body and work closely with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to manage the lake.



He cautioned that the lake and the numerous islands in the catchment area would only remain a “potential” goldmine if the people do not tweak their mindset and be willing to work hard.



“Opportunity alone is not good enough if the people do not take the initiative to equip themselves with the mentality and willingness to tap the opportunity. The potential (for eco-tourism) is there and the opportunity is opened,” Masing pointed out.



“You know why you have to get yourselves organised and manage the lake? It is simply because if you don’t then people from outside will come in and take over,” Masing said during an interview in his residence here on Saturday.



Also present were political secretaries to the Chief Minister Wilson Nyabong Ijang and Angeline Umis Tujok, Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot and Walikota of Kapit District Council Philomon Nuing.



Masing had just returned from Bakun after witnessing the handing over of the ‘Taking-Over’ certificate of the first turbine between Sarawak Hydro Sdn Berhad (SHSB) and turbine owner ALSTOM Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd – a firm based in France.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bakun an eco-tourism goldmine

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Ruling over Sabah tourism guides will be reviewed

KOTA KINABALU: Tourist guides in Sabah can heave a sigh of relief now that the Tourism Ministry has agreed to review a new ruling that has put them under duress.



Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the ministry would look into the requests in terms of combining the badges of city and nature guides.



“This makes sense and I will speak to the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun and the Sabah Tourism Board to ensure the new directive in the state is appropriate,” she said.



There are three types of guides – tourist, city and nature guides. In the peninsula, more city guides are needed to bring guests on city-related excursions.



“Almost 80% of guides in the peninsula are city guides and the remainder in eco-tourism, but in Sabah it is the reverse. We understand the uniqueness of Sabah,” Ng said, adding that the ministry hoped to resolve the matter and have a new guideline in place by October.



However, there will be no change to the specialist guides such as those bringing guests to Mount Kinabalu, the nation’s highest mountain.



Members of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association recently voiced their frustration over the ruling that restricted the movements of guides in Sabah, thus, affecting their rice bowl.



Continue reading at: Ruling over Sabah tourism guides will be reviewed

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Development and conservation of Marudu Bay

KOTA MARUDU: Marudu Bay, which is rich in biodiversity, mangrove swamps and marine resources, can contribute to enhanced economic activities for Kota Marudu through eco-tourism and fishery activities.



Marudu Bay covers Kudat, Pitas and Kota Marudu districts right up to Pulau Banggi. Its valuable resources have been recognised and Marudu Bay is part of the five-country continental shelf and the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security, as well as part of the proposed one million hectares Tun Mustapha marine park in northern Sabah.



Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said his ministry is funding studies conducted with Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah to develop, conserve and manage Marudu Bay while identifying sustainable economic activities.



“The ministry is initiating these scientific studies to ensure that the rich resources are protected and also utilised for economic activities through sustainable development. But these efforts must involve the people who must be aware of the need to protect and conserve the environment and natural resources,” he said.



Dr Ongkili said this at an event of the Forestry Department to hand over funds to 26 secondary schools, primary schools and NGOs in Kota Marudu to conduct environmental conservation and awareness programmes.



Each of them received between RM1,000 and RM500 from the allocation given by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to members of parliament to encourage such activities in their constituencies.



Dr Ongkili stressed that physical and economic development is hollow if it does not go hand in hand with emphasis on conservation and protection of the environment.



The member of parliament for Kota Marudu said that appreciation of the environment must also be a priority and a part of life for all Malaysians in the nation’s quest to become a developed nation by 2020.

Continue reading at: Development and conservation of Marudu Bay

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Green Tourism: Marudu’s bay of opportunity

KOTA KINABALU: A Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) study has identified several business opportunities in Marudu Bay such as “green” tourism and oyster breeding,

Science, Technology and Inno­vation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said other opportunities included homestays, aquaculture, sea cucumber and cage fish rearing, mangrove boardwalks and observatories for birds.

He said an integrated eco-resource management study by a team of university researchers on Marudu Bay was almost completed.

The study – involving UPM, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah – spells out sustainable development programmes to preserve the eco-system in Marudu Bay, while using the resources to uplift the livelihood of the people there, he said.

“Some of the findings, such as UPM’s Mangrove Ecosystem Study and Resource Management for Seafood and Sustainable Eco-tourism for Coastal Communities’, have been documented,” he said at the launch of the Marudu Bay Carnival in Kota Marudu, about 120km from here yesterday.

As a result of the study, a workshop on eco-tourism management was conducted for 32 participants from eight villages, which have the potential to be developed for eco-tourism.

It is part of a series of workshops meant to expose participants to the eco-diversity of Marudu Bay and its potentials.

Continue reading at: Green Tourism: Marudu’s bay of opportunity
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RM9.6bil Karambunai Resort City plan

In Sabah, a consortium comprising Prism Crystal Enterprises Ltd, Tan Sri Dr Chen Lip Keong and group of companies together with landowners, Karambunai Corp Bhd and Petaling Tin Bhd, will develop the Karambunai Integrated Resort City (KIRC) with an investment of RM 9.6 billion.

Contributing a GNI of about RM9.319 billion by 2020 and creating about 11,002 jobs by then, this premier world-class ecotourism destination will leverage on Malaysia's competitive advantages in ecotourism and biodiversity, and feature tourism, health and eco-nature edutainment recreation facilities, he said.

This will also include a water theme park, water spectacles and fountain, cable car, mangrove research centre, harbour cruise, aqua and spa village amongst others.

Led by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA), the "Pasar Komuniti" initiative (PAKAR) is a concerted effort to co-ordinate and amalgamate them in location with better facilities.

Continue reading at: RM9.6bil Karambunai Resort City plan
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Australians told to explore Brunei's magical eco-tourism

By Azlan Othman in Melbourne, Australia

"Brunei is a wonderful place and has a warm relationship with Victoria. Brunei offers some magical opportunities in eco-tourism especially with its unspoilt pristine jungle compared to many other tourist destinations around the world.

"It becomes the Sultanate's principality and Australians are well known for their interests in eco-tourism. We hope Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) has a very successful fly in the sky for many years to come," said Bruce Atkinson, President of the Legislative Council and state member of Eastern Metropolitan region in a speech to senior government officials from Brunei Darussalam marking RBA's inaugural flight to Melbourne.

"We are always delighted to welcome a new airline to Victoria.

"We have better airports in Australia. Melbourne is clearly one of the most important gateways to Australia. Victoria is an important state for Australia particularly in food manufacturing which is of interest to Brunei and increasingly to tourism. One of the interesting aspects about tourism is Victoria has no natural wonders like some other states have.

"A lot has been said about our shopping and the Formula One Grand Prix which was held last week and many other sporting, convention programmes and cultural activities.

"We are very fortunate to bring many people to Australia through Melbourne. When we have another opportunity to bring another airline, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) to Melbourne, RBA passengers find it convenient to go to Australia via Melbourne, as a gateway to Australia.

"We see opportunities for more Australians and more visitors from other parts of the world to Australia looking at RBA as an alternative to go and perhaps experience Brunei, which is a terrific opportunity. RBA is the 27th airline to come into Melbourne and effectively puts around another 120,000 international seats into Melbourne each year as RBA flies four times a week.

"I think it is going to be an effective and successful route for RBA and a bridge to many events perhaps like exports and trade opportunities and in working with the Brunei government, its agencies and companies particularly in Halal branding," he said.

"There are terrific markets out there for Australian food and beverage manufacturers to try and match in business through the export market. Certainly Halal endorsement is a very significant marketing tool worldwide. With us working to some extent with Malaysia and now with Brunei Darussalam to extend their Halal brand in food, it certainly gives a good opportunity," he added.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Brunei open to Indian investments in tourism sector

The Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is open to Indian investments in the tourism sector of the country. The country is primarily looking for investments in Ecotourism, Health Tourism and Sports Tourism segments.

This information was divulged by Dr Abd Manaf Hj Metussin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Head of Local Business Development, The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) at a business networking reception organised recently by High Commissioner of Brunei in New Delhi.

A delegation of Brunei trade led by Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei is currently in Delhi to participate in the India – ASEAN Business Forum to explore various trade and investment opportunities between two countries.

The Brunei Economic Development Board is also ready to play the role of a facilitator for all kinds of investors looking for a foothold in Brunei in sectors like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food processing, tourism etc.

Speaking with TravelBiz Monitor, he mentioned that Golf Tourism is quite popular in Brunei and receives lot of Chinese and Korean tourists who are interested in the tourism product. “Tourism is a priority sector for us and investors can get all kinds of incentives including tax holidays up to 20 years,” added Abd Manaf Hj Metussin.

Continue reading at: Brunei open to Indian investments in tourism sector
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Brunei villages urged to tap eco-tourism potential

By James Kon

Eco-tourism is one of the main attractions in Brunei Darussalam and is expected to grow 15 per cent yearly.

In light of the vast opportunities in eco-tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin bin Sheikh Mohamed, CEO of Brunei Tourism, has urged all mukims as well as villages nationwide to look for their own uniqueness and promote their areas as tourist hot spots to attract more tourists to Brunei.

Sheikh Jamaluddin spoke at the Chinese New Year get-together function at the Wasai Batu Mapan recreational park, an area that was developed by Pad Nunok Consultative council, Mukim Kiudang as a tourism site.

The CEO of Brunei Tourism said, "We at the Brunei Tourism have always welcomed the efforts of villages in enhancing tourism products that can show the uniqueness of villages.

"Eco-tourism is one of the strategies that the Brunei Tourism places importance on. And I have gone to visit various unique tourism sites in the country, many of the sites can be developed and become major tourist attractions," he said.

However he also advised the organisers that they should also think of their capacity whereby the number of tourists visiting the unique places in the villages need to be controlled in order to protect the environment.

He urged all the mukims and villages to always look for opportunities to develop their uniqueness to help further increase Brunei's tourism potential.

Sheikh Jamaluddin also said that in the next two weeks, he will head a group of tour agents and hoteliers to the Wasai Batu Mapan recreational park to take a closer look at the area in the hope of adding the recreational park as one of the must-see places for foreign as well as domestic tourists.

Later, Hj Musa @ Matasin bin Hj Matussin, village head of Pad Nunok Tutong presented a souvenir to Sheikh Jamaluddin.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Jamaluddin also had the privilege to hand over a donation to a paralysed patient Leong Fook Ing. The donation was received by a relative of Leong.

The event saw an array of entertainment including Lion Dance, Chinese traditional dance, Dusun community dance and also Malay dance performances.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Sarawak targets RM15 bln from tourism in 2015

KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting some 7.5 million tourist arrivals in 2015 which will churn in a staggering RM15 billion, said Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan.

This year alone, Sarawak is expected to attract some 4 million tourists and rack in some RM8.68 billion to the state coffers.

He said the target is achievable based on STB’s proper planning with other stakeholders such as hoteliers, tour operators, logistics providers, especially air transport providers, to improve air connectivity.

Besides value-added products and services, STB is also looking at new overseas markets in addition to its traditional markets such as Europe, Australia, the United States, Japan, China, South Korea and other South East Asian countries.

“We have to start looking seriously at countries in the Middle East and India as they have big spending power.

“At the moment they are only reaching Peninsular Malaysia, so we have to slowly penetrate their market so that they would visit Sarawak,” Rashid told The Borneo Post at STB’s office here yesterday.

He pointed out that STB’s emphasis is to provide the stake-holders, especially the private sector, the opportunity to venture into new markets that could attract more tourists to Sarawak.

“Sarawak offers one of the best eco-tourism products in the world. Just look at our rivers, mountains and caves, they are of world standard.

“On top of that we are contributing oxygen to the world from our forest.

“This we can always sell to tourists from the Middle East where all these things are a rarity,” he pointed out.

Rashid also stressed that given the budget of only RM9 million from the state government for this year, STB has to maximise its resources to yield good returns.

Continue reading at: Sarawak targets RM15 bln from tourism in 2015
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Annah Rais hot spring to be upgraded

KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is going to turn the Annah Rais hot spring area into a camp site through its community based eco-tourism (CBET) programme.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said this was to further develop the area as a popular tourist destination since the place had gained greater popularity since the completion of the upgrading on the Annah Rais hot spring recently.

“We started the upgrading work since middle of last year and it was completed sometime last November and we have handed it back to the villagers to run,” he said at a press conference after chairing the full council meeting yesterday.

He also disclosed that with the proper facilities, the hot spring is now getting more popular where around 200 visitors go there every weekend.

Fees charged per-entry by the villagers were RM3 for adults, children (RM2) and RM1 for primary school pupils.

“All the money collected will go to the group of people who own the area,” he said.

Continue reading at: Annah Rais hot spring to be upgraded
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Sarawak thriving via eco-tourism

ECO-tourism is the main attraction for visitors in Sarawak, says Tourism and Heritage Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.

He said that, up to June this year, the national parks in the state recorded 191,824 visitors of whom 46,345 were foreigners.

"Among the popular destinations are the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre which attracted 40,305 visitors, Bako National Park (16,723 visitors), Niah National Park (12,543 visitors) and Mulu National Park (10,786 visitors)," he told the State Assembly in his winding up speech yesterday.

Dr Chan said his ministry had also received 24 requests from villages and longhouses in the state to register for the homestay programme.

"To date, 2,984 homestay operators from 139 villages, including 19 villages in Sarawak, have been trained and registered throughout the country by the Tourism Ministry."

Continue reading at: Sarawak thriving via eco-tourism
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