Hitting the partnership gong at MATTA Fair are Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (left) and Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah. — Courtesy photo
STB: Neighbours key to Borneo tourism
SARAWAK is keen to collaborate with Sabah as well as Indonesia and Brunei to promote tourism under its “Gateway to Borneo” campaign.
Initiated by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the campaign taps into the allure of Borneo to attract visitors to Sarawak.
STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor said an important element involved working with Sabah to promote the states’ distinct features.
“Sabah has beautiful beaches and islands. Our attractions are different, such as caves and nature,” she told StarMetro.
“People will be aware that these two states have so much to offer visitors,” she said.
'We want to work with Indonesia on accessibility, connectivity within Borneo.' - Sharzede Salleh Askor
At Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in Kuala Lumpur, STB collaborated with Sabah on packages to both states.
Sharzede said as Sabah had more international flights, the joint packages were a way to tap into visitors going to Sabah and bring them to Sarawak.
“We want people to be aware that they can go beyond Sabah when they come to Borneo, that there is another Malaysian state on the island.
“We’re not competing with Sabah, but complementing each other for a win-win solution,” she said, adding that STB was also collaborating with Brunei and Indonesia.
“We are working closely with Royal Brunei Airlines on connectivity and we want to work with Indonesia on accessibility and connectivity within Borneo.”
She said Indonesia was an important market for Sarawak in terms of health tourism, while the new Indonesian capital of Nusantara in Kalimantan would have a spillover effect on Sarawak and Sabah.
“With Nusantara, I think it’s important for us to tell people to come through Sarawak,” Sharzede added.
