2012 Borneo Jazz Festival: Musicians to come up with local jazz music

KUCHING: Sarawak can produce its own style of jazz music and present it to the world, says Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He thus challenged all jazz musicians here to compose a unique blend of jazz music by fusing it with the sound of the local multi-indigenous music scene.

“We have the capacity to do so. While it is good to hear foreign bands playing jazz music here we too need to present our own blend of jazz music to the world,” he told a press conference about the upcoming 2012 Borneo Jazz festival to be held at ParkCity Everly Hotel in Miri from May 11-12.

The two-day show is organised by Sarawak Tourism Board Leisure and Properties, a subsidiary of STB and Tourism Ministry.

Abang Johari, who is also Housing Minister, said that for a start, jazz musicians might have to prove their talent before they could be selected to present the state at any level.

“We have personalities such as Bob, Hafiz and many others who have competed in the Akademi Fanstasia and who can contribute to the local music scene,” he added.

On Miri as the venue of the jazz festival, the minister said Miri was an ideal venue in keeping with its status as a resort city and its natural ambience by the sea.

“Also, Miri straddles Sabah and Brunei which have a sizeable number of expatriate populations who love jazz music.”

Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer Datuk Rahsid Khan said the (jazz) festival would be able to create an economic spin off to the tune of RM15 million to the local economy this year..

“It generated an income of RM13 million last year and we hope to record more this year,” he added.

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Cruise Ships Spur Sarawak's Tourism

KUCHING -- The MV Orion II (Orion Expedition Cruises) from Australia, which is on its 10-night "Borneo-Rajahs, Riches & Rainforests" cruise, heralded the start of the 2012 season for cruise arrivals to Sarawak.

Maurice Balang, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) regional marketing manager for United Kingdom and Europe, said today that the ship, which sailed from Singapore, brought 100 passengers and 70 crew members to Sarawak, entering the Sim Kheng Hong Port in Pending here on Jan 2, via Bako National Park to Kuching.

"We welcome these cruises and look forward to more of such arrivals this year. This is definitely a very good start to the New Year," he said, adding that MV Orion II would then later sail to Pontianak in Kalimantan, cruising via Gunung Palung up to Tanjung Puting - Camp Leakey, Benoa in Kalimantan.

The passengers -- mostly from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Indonesia, New Zealand and United States -- were welcomed on arrival in traditional Sarawak style by 10 members of a cultural troupe courtesy of STB, and took the opportunity to visit the orang utan in Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and tour Kuching city attractions, he said.

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Pandaw Cruise operator persuaded to continue operation

SIBU: Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday said the Pandaw Cruise operator would be persuaded to continue operating along the Rajang River.

“I hope it is not their final decision. We will find time to persuade them to see whether or not they will carry on (the operations),” Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development, told The Borneo Post.

The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC)’s Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism Standing Committee was disturbed by the decision by Irrawaddy Flotilla Company to cease Malaysia’s first river cruise.

Its chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai reportedly said during SMC’s full council meeting last week that they would bring the matter to Wong’s attention.

He said that during the past two years of its operation, the river cruise had lured tourists to Sibu and boosted its tourism industry.

Wong, when asked later if the cessation of the river cruise would affect the tourism industry in Sibu, said: “Yes, to a certain extent.”

Meanwhile, Irrawaddy Flotilla Company stated in the Pandaw newsletter dated Nov 24 last year that it would stop the river cruise on the 640km Rajang River.

The newsletter cited operational and logistical difficulties as reasons for the cessation.

It was reported in several newspapers that it would sail up Malaysia’s longest river for the last time in March, and that its swan song voyage was already almost fully booked.

Meanwhile, when contacted earlier, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) said it had been notified, but could not do much.

“It’s a commercial venture. The Pandaw cruise is subject to market forces,” STB director of Corporate Communication Angelina Bateman reportedly said.

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Pandaw cruise boat cruising into the sunset

RV Orient Pandaw the cruise boat that brings tourists into the heart of Borneo along the mighty Rajang is sailing into the sunset as it will cease operation next year.

It will sail up the longest river in Malaysia for the last time in March and its swansong voyage is already almost fully booked with just a few tickets left available.

The Pandaw newsletter recently announced the cessation of its Rajang cruise explaining that “…logistical and operational difficulties of working are so tough an environment that the project has been commercially unsuccessful”.

Pandaw the largest luxury river cruise operator in South East Asia runs river expedition cruises in four countries in the region – Burma on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers, Cambodia and Vietnam on Mekong River and Malaysia on Rajang River.

The Sarawak Tourism Board had been notified but there is nothing it could do because as a commercial venture the Pandaw Rajang cruise is subjected to market forces.

Direc tor of Corporation Communication of Angelina Bateman when contacted recently said; “Our role so far has been to help facilitate it by promoting the tour. Other than that we cannot get involved, except in helping them to promote since it is a commercial operation.”

Bateman expressed regret that the cruise failed to succeed as a commercial venture as it had helped to promote tourism in the state internationally.

When it was launched on July 1, 2009 it was hailed as a catalyst for the growth of the tourism industry in the central region of the state but it was also drew flaks from local tour operators who were left out of its travel itinerary.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Pandaw cruise boat cruising into the sunset

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MAS To Suspend Four More Routes Via Sabah Regional Network

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will be suspending four more routes involving Sabah regional network early next year.

This is in addition to the rationalisation exercise involving eight routes of its international network announced last week.

The suspension covers the twice-weekly Kota Kinabalu-Osaka service from Jan 6, thrice-weekly Kota Kinabalu-Perth from Jan 31, four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Haneda from Feb 1, and four times weekly Kota Kinabalu-Seoul from Feb 21.

"This suspension is until further notice and is part of our regional network consolidation involving single-aisle aircraft operations," its group chief executive officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, said in a statement Thursday.

"We will be reviewing this situation in about three months time from the date of the first route suspension and will be deciding further by early April 2012," he said.

During the suspension, Ahmad Jauhari said MAS would take advantage of its existing code-share operations with Korean Air to provide direct connectivity between Sabah and South Korea using the Korean carrier's Seoul-Kota Kinabalu return direct flights.

"We will also continue offering direct international connectivity to Kota Kinabalu through our existing daily B737 flights from Hong Kong and Taipei."

In addition, he said, MAS would also use its existing 86 weekly flights between Sabah and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to provide immediate connections for passengers who prefer full service flights between Sabah and the cities of Perth, Tokyo, and Osaka.

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Sarawak’s air connectivity must provide for high, medium and low-budget travellers to capture more tourists

KUCHING: Uncertainities concerning air connectivity to Sarawak are making it difficult for the Tourism Ministry to set a target for next year’s tourist arrivals.

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the volume of tourist arrivals to the state relied heavily on air connectivity and the lack of it certainly hampered further growth.

It was therefore pivotal to ensure there were sufficient airlines to serve the high, medium and low budget travellers, Johari reasoned.

“Not every tourist will want to travel using low-cost carrier and we need to find a solution that caters to all,” he told reporters after launching the Cuti Cuti 1Malaysia Dance Carnival at the state hockey stadium here yesterday.

According to him, as of last October Sarawak recorded about three million tourist arrivals.

“Next year maybe we will get between three million and 3.5 million,” he said, adding, however, that too depended on how much the state had done to improve air connectivity.

On efforts to make MASwing, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), a regional airline, Joha-ri said talks were still at formative stage, therefore, he “cannot divulge any details for the time being”.

He said if the federal Tourism Ministry wanted to achieve an average of three million tourist arrivals nationwide by 2020, better air connectivity to Sarawak and Sarawak was essential.

Both states had the products to lure more visitors but present air connectivity woes, following the MAS and AirAsia share swap, was hampering tourism development, Johari argued.

As far as Sarawak was concerned, the state would go for a holistic approach to ensure a healthy number in tourist arrivals next year and beyond, he said.

“We’ll have to go beyond eco-tourism. We need to promote Sarawak as a destination for adventure, culture, nature, history and romanticism. The model that we use will be based on Venice in Italy,” he said.

For instance, Johari said the ministry hoped to tap emerging markets among the middle class in China and India who normally went overseas for their annual holiday trips.

He said the state also hoped to get more adventure seekers and nature as well as culture lovers to the state.

“Our tourism tagline will continue to be ‘Where Adventure Lives’ next year,” he said, adding that his ministry hoped that MICE participants would extend their stay to visit nearby destinations like Bako National Park and Semenggok Wildlife Centre.

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Bakun islands to be Sarawak tourism draw

KUCHING: More than 20 islands created as a result of Bakun dam impoundment.

More than 10 major islands will become permanent features of the Bakun hydroelectric dam area covering an area almost the size of Singapore.

Sarawak Hidro managing director Zulkifle Osman said that more than 20 islands had been created as a result of the impoundment of the dam since Oct 13 last year.

He, however, said that when the dam had reached its maximum requirement of 228 metres, many islands would be submerged. Currently, the water level is at the 219 metre mark.

“Of course these islands have great potential to be tapped as tourism products,” Zulkifle said when contacted yesterday.

Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) who is also Assistant Minster of Tourism, Datuk Talip Zulpilip, had said that they would build a resort in Bakun dam area soon.

Minister of Tourism and Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had also said on many occasions that the state would explore the possibility of providing air linkages via amphibious planes to the Bakun dam area.

On another issue, Zulkifle said the people of Kapit were now able to travel up to Belaga by express boats, after the water level had risen to an almost normal level, after water from the dam was released through the spillway recently.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bakun islands to be Sarawak tourism draw

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Sarawak to seek air connectivity with Australia

KUCHING: The state will be looking at air connectivity with Australia, as it is an important factor for closer economical and cultural ties with South Australia.

According to Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, air connectivity between the state and Australia is an important factor proven previously when the state had direct flights to Perth and from Sydney.

The flights, which were provided by Malaysian Airlines (MAS), were withdrawn during the financial crisis.

Abang Johari said this during a dinner held to welcome Australia’s Multicultural Affairs, Police, Correctional, Emergency and Road Safety Minister Jennifer Rankine on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Rankine in her speech invited Abang Johari and in particular his ministry to visit Adelaide to promote Sarawak, its unique culture as well as its indigenous arts and craft during the AusAsia Festival to be held in 2013.

The AusAsia Festival 2013 will have a theme and country focus on Malaysia.

Rankine, who was in the state for a visit organised by the Australian Business Centre, was accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia and chairman of South Australia Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Hieu Van Le and her staff chief Blair Boyer.

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Sarawak Government eyes medical tourism as good income earner

KUCHING: The state government is serious in tapping revenue from medical tourism as there is a demand for our healthcare services from neighbouring Kalimantan Indonesia.

In saying this, Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg also disclosed that he had just came back from Kalimantan with representatives from two well-established private hospitals in Kuching to promote their services.

He said the response they received was very good and encouraging for Kuching to be promoted as a medical tourism destination.

“With the low cost flight by Kalstar and Batavia Air and now MASwings, a lot of people from the city of Potianak can come here to Kuching for medical treatment,” he told reporters on Wednesday night after feting officials from Sabah Ministry of Tourism to dinner on a river cruise.

However, its success would depend very much on flight connectivity, he added, while agreeing that it could be a major contributor to the country’s overall tourism revenue.

Continue reading at: Sarawak Government eyes medical tourism as good income earner

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Sarawak tourism players should join effort to promote local crafts

MIRI: Tourism players here should consolidate their efforts in promoting Miri city as well as its Sarawak handicrafts both to the locals and tourists.

Mayor of Miri City Council (MCC), Lawrence Lai in stating this regretted that there was still much to be done especially in promoting the handicrafts here.

“The council is only the facilitator to promote tourism, the stake holders like the hoteliers, travel agents, STB (Sarawak Tourism Board) and you as the handicraft sellers should enhance your cooperation in promoting the crafts,” said Lai when launching the arts and craft bazaar jointly organised by MCC and Miri Handicraft Centre here yesterday.

Among those present were Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and the organising chairlady Councillor Kijan Toynbee.

Lai, however, is optimistic that the bazaar will become an important platform to promote especially the local handicrafts, which will indirectly promote the rich heritage of its people and Miri as a whole.

A total of 20 manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers selling various arts and handicrafts as well as food and drinks are taking part in the bazaar which is open until tomorrow from 9am to 10pm daily.

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Tourism industry a big boost to Sarawak's economy

MIRI: The tourism industry has been identified as one of seven industries capable of boosting Sarawak’s Economic Transformation Programme.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said on implementation of eight initiatives under the tourism sector, Sarawak would be able to generate RM68.3 million and up to 1,500 jobs by 2020.

The eight initiatives are health tourism, education tourism, eco-tourism, homestay, sports tourism, cultural and environmental tourism, and property and infrastructure tourism.

The tourism industry has broad-based products to offer in Sarawak including her natural environment, forests, rivers, culture, diverse ethnicity and handicraft.

The Ducati Multistrada Borneo Experience 2011, which arrived here Monday, comes under the sport tourism sector.

Sagan had the honour of welcoming the riders (of Ducati Multistrada 1200 Borneo Experience 2011) prior to having dinner with them at Mega Hotel here.

Fifty-two riders in 20 Ducati motorcycles were here Monday enroute to Brunei and then to Sabah. Among them are riders from United States, Italy, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand.

The Ducati Borneo experience hopes to promote the huge tourism potential in Sarawak and create rapport among the riders and members of the public at their every stop. The expedition will be shown through 13 episodes on television, targeting local and overseas audiences.

Naza Ducati Malaysia is the main organiser of the event in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sabah Tourism Board, Brunei Tourism Board, MITI, Chevrolets, Eftra, Shell, SMF.net.my and Royal Bandits.

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Direct flight from Korea to Kuching a possibility

KUCHING: There is a possibility that the state will have a direct flight from Korea through the local tourism industry network with the country.

According to an officer from the Korea Institute of Tourism and Culture, Dr Kim Dock Key, the possibility would be given serious consideration to further enhance existing bilateral relationships between Sarawak and Korea.

“Korea now has a direct flight to Kota Kinabalu and we will consider having a direct flight to Sarawak to further promote tourism here.

“Besides that we also intend to enhance cooperation among the industry players in both Sarawak and Korea,” Kim said during a visit to Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg here yesterday.

Kim, who led a delegation to meet Abang Johari added that the group was attracted to the tourism products in the state.

He mentioned Bako National Park, which he described as a natural tourism product with beautiful tropical forest and scenic views.

A group of 16 delegates from the Korea Institute of Tourism and Culture joined in the visit; they will also be visiting Sarawak Cultural Village.

Continue reading at: Direct flight from Korea to Kuching a possibility

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Sarawak welcomes Kuching-Melaka flight

KUCHING: The state government has welcomed the introduction of the Kuching-Melaka flight announced by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam on Friday.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was a good move to connect Sarawak and Melaka because of the two states’ historical links.

“Chinese explorer Cheng Ho landed in Melaka and then came to Sarawak so the connection between Melaka and Sarawak is there.

“In fact, we had planned a Kuching-Melaka direct flight all this while but back then the airport in Melaka was too small. It is now time to work with Melaka Air to see further connectivity,” he told reporters after launching the Ducati Multistrada Borneo Experience 2011 yesterday.

Abang Johari said his ministry would send officers to Melaka for feasibility studies on the new route and added that the plan should materialise soon.

“We will look into the direct flight connecting Kuching and Melaka because it is a complementary effort to Sarawak.

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Cebu Pacific Air Seeks To Expand Operations to Kuching

KUCHING -- Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air of the Philippines seeks to expand its international routes in Malaysia by making Kuching its next stop after Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Datuk Rashid Khan said Sunday.

He said STB would facilitate and assist the airline in offering its service in this capital city of Sarawak.

"We welcome you and hope to work together towards a win-win situation and, particularly, in promoting the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region," he said in a statement.

Rashid Khan said a delegation from Cebu Pacific Air, led by its International Sales and Distribution Systems Manager Leopoldo B. Coronel, and officers from the Philippine Tourism Department called on him yesterday and expressed their interest to expand the airline's operation to Kuching.

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Kuching-Melaka direct flight early next year

KUCHING: A direct flight connecting Kuching and Melaka may commence as early as next month or early next year.

Melaka Chief Minister Dato Sri Mohd Ali Rustam when announcing this yesterday said he was keen to see the flight become a reality, possibly three times a week.

“I am looking forward to see the Sarawak and Melaka state governments collaborate on the direct flight to Melaka in the best interest of both states,” he told a press conference.

Mohd Ali is in the state with the Melaka Foundation (YM) delegation and its board of directors to witness a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA/Pelita Holdings Sdn Bhd) and YM yesterday.

LCDA was represented by Senior Minister and Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Masing and two Assistant Ministers, Datuk Gramong Juna and Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz.

Also present was Senior Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh who is also mnister of local government and community development, and second finance minister.

Mohd Ali said the route could boost tourism in both states.

“Melaka so far receives a total of 10.4 million tourists in 2010 with 20 per cent of them from overseas: Taiwan, Japan,China, Hong Kong, German, Switzerland and New Zealand.”

He said as of September this year, a total of 8.4 million tourists had visited the historical city, and the number is expected to reach 11 million by yearend. He said the proposed Kuching-Melaka flight could be shortened to one hour, compared to the one-and-a-half hour Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route.

“The flight is shorter than that to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Hence this could be an alternative route.”

At the moment, Melaka is chartering Firefly and Melaka Air flights to Pekan Baru and Medan City on the island of Sumatera in Indonesia. The flight connection had lured many tourists from the neighbouring country to the city.

Continue reading at: Kuching-Melaka direct flight early next year

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Broadcast Sarawak tourism programmes via satellite for world

KUCHING: Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has proposed that tourism programmes in the state be broadcasted by satellite for transmission to the world.

He said this was a way to allow cultural products and tourist attractions to be promoted and, at the same time, enhance the potential of the industry.

“For instance, the Wakeboard Championship recently, had a very large audience via satellite communication that was set up at the waterfront where the organiser took photos and videos for transmission to the world.

“It is cheaper compared to conventional media and therefore it is our hope to use satellite media communication for other tourism programmes,” he said at the launch of the 2012 calendar of tourism events at the DUN complex yesterday.

He reminded tour agencies to be more active in promoting tourism products.

“All tour agencies need to know their role,” he said.

Abang Johari pointed out three types of visitors namely backpackers, normal tourists and professional visitors.

“We have the strength over other destinations; over here we have river cruises and national parks. We have something different which appeals to professionals. In one visit they can experience different events besides conferences,” he noted.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Broadcast Sarawak tourism programmes via satellite for world

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More Tourists Coming To Sarawak This Year

KUCHING -- Sarawak registered a total of 2.7 million tourist arrivals from January to September this year up 16.7 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said 1.6 million or 61.5 percent were foreign tourists while the rest were local tourists.

"The top 10 visitor arrivals by countries ranked from Brunei (1,094,866), Peninsular Malaysia (572,727), Sabah (473,108), Indonesia (311,673), the Philippines (55,745), Singapore (30,830), China (26,728), United Kingdom (22,231), India (15,111) and Australia (14,165)," he said when winding-up for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly, here today.

Abang Johari said the analysis of five selected annual events namely, Kaul Festival, Borneo International Yachting Challenge, Sarawak Regatta, Borneo International Kite Festival and Pesta Benak showed that 35.8 percent of spectators were from outside Sarawak and 76.4 percent were repeat visitors.

"On average, RM189 is spent on accommodation from the average spending of RM543 per person per visit for a two-night stay," he said.

He said based on the feedback received from the Customer Satisfaction Index, most events showed a positive 6.0 rating, indicating that most visitors were happy with the event and wee likely to recommend it to others.

"With the establishment of the standard, we now can identify and categorise those events that have tourism value. It also helps us to identify areas that require improvement or adjustment in order to raise the profile of the event up to international level," he said.

Continue reading at: More Tourists Coming To Sarawak This Year
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Sarawak government admits MAS-AirAsia share swap impacted tourism

KUCHING: The state government acknowledged that the recent MAS-AirAsia share swap had affected the state’s tourism sector.

“The lack of public information on the future plan of this joint collaboration between MAS and AirAsia has created anxiety among industry players.

“Furthermore, Sarawak has experienced cancellations of flights and this has caused inconvenience to the public,” noted Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

He was responding to state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek) who asked how the collaboration had affected Sarawak both positively and adversely.

On Firefly ceasing to operate its Kuala Lumpur-Kuching and Johor Bahru-Kuching routes from Oct 31, Talib also noted that the move had undoubtedly left behind a vacuum.

“To address the issue, the state government has written to the federal government to express concern and displeasure on the lack of communication and consultation. The abrupt cancellation of firefly services after the announcement of the swap and collaboration between the two airlines do not augur well for the state.

“The state government has also initiated dialogues and meeting sessions to seek opportunities for foreign airlines to operate in Sarawak. The state government through Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd has offered attractive incentives such as three years free landing and parking fees and marketing support,” he said.

Talib said the government, however, had no intention to establish its own airlines.

“We are looking at various options including the positioning of MASWings as a regional airline to service Sarawak, Sabah and BIMP-Eaga region,” he added.

Continue reading at: Sarawak government admits MAS-AirAsia share swap impacted tourism

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Ukrainian media, travel agents in Kuching city on fact-finding visit

KUCHING: Members of the Ukraine media and travel operators are currently in Kuching on a fact- finding visit.

The delegation of 25 members yesterday, being their last day here, pays a courtesy call on the CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, Datuk Rashid Khan at STB office.

The group is here to study the opportunities and interests for the development of business tourism with the state and to see what potentials Sarawak holds, which Ukrainian companies, organisations and tourists can participate in.

Rashid gave a general introduction to tourism in Sarawak and also the state strategic tourism plan in his presentation to the guests from Ukraine.

The Ukrainians expressed satisfaction and showed special interests on the two music festivals that are held in the state.

As part of their visit itinerary they were taken to places of interest around Kuching such as Annah Rais Longhouse, Orang Utan in Semenggoh and Bako National Park.

Continue reading at: Ukrainian media, travel agents in Kuching city on fact-finding visit

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Tourism Malaysia hopes to attract Ukranians to Sarawak

KUCHING: Tourism Malaysia hopes to entice adventurous Ukrainians to come and experience Sarawak for its culture, nature and adventure tourism.

Its state director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali said this during a welcoming dinner for the 21 journalists from Ukraine here on Tuesday. They are in Malaysia for a familiarisation trip, which includes a four-day tour of Sarawak.

“Sarawak is ideal for those who want to explore caves, see rainforests and experience a unique culture,” he said, “This is the group we have to cater to.”

Johanif hoped the visiting journalists would find highlights in the state that would be of interest to those back home, and help boost the state’s image alongside the better-known Sabah.

Continue reading at: Tourism Malaysia hopes to attract Ukranians to Sarawak

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