Tourism industry a revenue generator for Bario

by Justin Yap justinyap@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 31, 2010, Friday

KUCHING: Tourism in Bario has grown from its accidental beginnings to being a mainstay of the local economy evolving along the way into various niche markets including ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, research tourism and the latest manifestation of development conferencing.

INCOME GENERATOR: Cottage industry products are one of the latest moves that will drive the tourism industry in Bario.

Bario is the traditional homeland of the Kelabit people, one of the Borneo’s smaller ethnic minorities numbering around 5,000 people with an estimated 1,000 still living in or around Bario.

The growth of tourism in Bario is closely interwoven with other aspects of the social and cultural development of the community which it has grown alongside,” said one of the homestay owners in Bario Jaman Riboh Tekapan, who has 22 years of experience in the tourism industry in the community.

“Tourism has been recognised as a small-scale and non-agricultural activity that can constitute an important source of revenue generation and thereby create new venues for economic growth in Bario,” he pointed out to The Borneo Post in a recent interview.

He further noted the recent road linkage as well as the airstrip made it possible for tourist to visit Bario and the closest house was also the home of the headman. However, guests did not feel obliged to pay for their keep until the headman’s son placed a sign on the house proclaiming it as a ‘homestay’.

“That is how the tourism industry started in Bario,” he pointed out.

According to research, the next major stimulus to tourism was the recent infrastructure development, the eBario project which introduced telecommunication services into the community.

“The latest project we have for Bario is the community radio slated to be launched in March next year,” said eBario Sdn Bhd’s (eBario) project director John Tarawe.

“eBario has been recently granted the content applications service provider (CASP) class licence by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). With the CASP class licence, we will be the first company to deploy a community radio station in Malaysia,” added Tarawe.

By connecting the community to the outside world, the eBario project has had a profound impact on the community. The project has provided a significant boost to the tourism industry by facilitating the growth of websites for promotion and the exchange of information between potential visitors and the homestay operators in the community.

“From a slow beginning in the late 1990s, when there was only a single guest house, there are now around a dozen. Trekking tours range from a few days hiking with overnights in the scattered longhouses to more arduous expeditions of up to a week or more including jungle survival training,” Tekapan highlighted.

Adventure tourism involved exploration or travel to remote hostile areas, while cultural tourism was a genre of special interest tourism based on the search for and participation in new and deep cultural experiences.

“Cultural tourism in Bario is boosted by the ‘Bario Slow Food Festival’ which was established in 2005 and was held for its fifth year in June 2010,” he pointed out.

Research tourism in Bario, on the other hand, was a recognised concept that valued the contributions that researchers could make to the communities. The community was now adopting a more proactive approach towards any research to which they would consent that was to be conducted on their environment, he highlighted.

Accordingly, the benefits of research in Bario now far exceeded the contributions that researchers made to the local economy through their presence as it contributed knowledge that would underpin their own development objectives.

“In this regard, the eBario telecentre plays a vital role in providing communication and data processing facilities to visiting researchers. Coupled with the ready availability of research assistants who have gained experience in research in the social and natural sciences, researchers from outside could hit the ground running when they come to Bario.

“Research tourism has therefore developed into a critical component of the community’s economic development plans,” Tekapan explained. “Development conferencing is another type of tourism that is being pioneered in Bario.”

In December 2007, eBario organised the ‘eBario Knowledge Fair’, a multidisciplinary conference held in Bario. ‘The Knowledge Fair’ was held to showcase how a remote and isolated indigenous community had appropriated ICTs. It brought together more than a 100 participants from 15 countries.

Tarawe shared his view that travelling to attend a conference was a form of tourism. It was a particular type of tourism in which groups of people were brought together to share knowledge and promote their products.

“The term ‘pro-poor tourism’ has emerged as a mechanism for ensuring a larger proportion of tourism revenue. It is earned by the poor residents of popular tourism locations, something that is not an automatic outcome of the growth of global tourism,” he added.

Tourism in Bario is making contributions to the Bario community that go beyond increase in incomes and the creation of ‘income-earning’ opportunities. The combined effects of improved communications and road linkages has resulted in a further opening up of Bario and the Kelabit culture to the wider world.

In spurring an increase in the number of flights and in feeding off as well as contributing to the growth in use of ICTs, tourism had become intertwined with local development, growing from its accidental beginnings to a mainstay of life in the Highlands.

Bario is globalising on its own terms and tourism is an integral component of the process.

Borneo’s first water theme park in Miri

by Cecilia B. Sman. Posted on December 17, 2010, Friday

Preparatory works on RM7 million initiative of Miri Housing Development Realty Sdn Bhd started three months ago

RM7 MILLION PROJECT: An artist’s impression of Sarawak’s first water theme park.

MIRI: Sarawak will have its first water theme park in Miri next year.

Costing about RM7 million, it is believed to be the first of its kind in Borneo and the biggest in the country.

The project is being undertaken by one of the state’s major housing developer — Miri Housing Development Realty Sdn Bhd.

Its executive chairman Dato Lau Siu Wai said the project, which would be located at a 36 acre site in Senadin, was approved recently by the State Planning Authority (SPA).

It will be developed in three stages.

Preparatory works on the first phase of the 12 acres started about three months ago.

Construction works are expected to start after Chinese New Year next year.

“After the completion of 8,000 houses in Senadin, this project is part of my humble effort and the company’s to bring speedy development to Miri, especially to boost tourism and recreation.

“If there are no such parks in Sabah, this will be the first in East Malaysia, and probably the first in Borneo and also the biggest in Malaysia,” Lau told The Borneo Post yesterday.

The proposed Senadin Water Theme Park will boast swimming pools, wave generators, water slides and canoe tracks.

Lau added that the theme park was part of the 80 acres project to be carried out within three years time.

“The whole project will cost between RM300-RM350 million, and once completed it could further enhance recreation, business and training facilities for the benefit of both local and foreigners, including tourists,” he stressed.

Other facilities to be made available at the water theme park include shopping complex, cultural village, amphitheatre, hotel and a proposed man-made island (11-12 acres).

Currently, a safety training school, Borneo Safety Training School, has been operating since more than a year ago.

It is conducting courses specifically for personnel in the oil and gas industries.

“This is the first training school in Malaysia set up by locals and specifically for the oil and gas industries.

“It is part of our effort to achieve the government’s vision of making Miri the centre of education excellence, and also help to boost the image of Miri City which aspires to become a premiere and preferred resort city in the region,” Lau said.

As for the cultural village, a living museum showcasing various ethnic people in Miri, like the Sarawak Cultural village concept, has been proposed.

Meanwhile, the state assemblyman for Pujut, Andy Chia Chu Fatt, who recently viewed the Water Theme Park model, applauded efforts of Miri Housing Group of Companies for initiating the project.

“I truly welcomed this recreation park. It will be an added facility for Mirians and visitors. The water theme park will be something new to introduce Miri as a Resort City.

“This is a good investment for Miri Housing and its partners and I congratulate them for taking this bold step. This project would definitely benefit the people and economy,” Chia said.

Improvement for Kpg Benuk, Kpg Mongkos homestay programmes

http://www.theborneopost.com%20posted/ on November 5, 2010, Friday

TWO Bidayuh villages — Kampung Benuk and Kampung Mongkos — are set to benefit from infrastructure improvement projects worth more than RM2 million for the homestay programme. Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip told the assembly yesterday that his ministry was submitting two projects in the two villages for consideration under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“Amounting to RM2,634,750, these projects are Kampung Benuk Homestay and Bangunan One Stop Centre and Gelanggang Sukan Pelbagai Guna Berbumbung for Kampung Mongkos homestay,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Aidan Wing (BN-Lambir).

Talib said currently there were 233 registered homestay operators comprising 19 villages throughout the state. These homestay operators were located in Kuching, Samarahan, Kapit, Betong, Sibu, Mukah and Miri, he added. According to Talib, various steps are taken to improve the performance of the homestays.

“My ministry has received an allocation amounting to RM1,045,000 from the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia to upgrade homestay facilities at six homestay villages and longhouses under the second economic stimulus package for the state. “The six homestays involved are Annah Rais, Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing, Kampung Melayu Tebakang, Rumah Lulut in Kapit, Rumah Panjang Bawang Assan and Rumah Panjang Telok Melano in Sibu,” he said.

He said an additional amount of RM250,000 was allocated to put up road signages leading to all the registered homestays. “In terms of marketing and promotion, the state ministry with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, has organised a special promotional event known as ‘Homestay e-Marketing Promotion’ launched in April this year. “Through this system, tourists will be provided with information, pictures and videos of the selected homestays,” he added.

He said besides that, a website on homestay (www.go2homestay.com) was introduced in December last year to create awareness of the homestay products in the state and also to promote existing packages. “Since 2006, my ministry and the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia have conducted numerous courses for the registered operators, he said.

“This is to ensure they are constantly being updated on the current tourism trends and at the same time, enhance their knowledge and competency in handling tourists, packaging and repackaging their products,” he said.

Among the courses offered are homestay awareness course, basic homestay course and other advanced courses such as Mesra Malaysia course, Tourism English, homestay website course and motivation course.

Info on Sarawak Homestay available online

Borneo Post

September 6, 2010, Monday

KUCHING: Information about Sarawak Homestay in Sarawak is now available with ‘a click of the button’.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Dato Dr James Dawos Mamit said everybody can now easily get access to whatever information needed on the sector. All they need to do is to browse through the website www.go2homestay.com. Dawos said that his ministry has initiated the Homestay e-marketing campaign since November 2009.

Sarawak Homestay campaign which was launched by the minister yesterday was the sixth on its list after Pahang, Selangor, Johor, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan. Present at the launching held at Abas Homestay in Kampung Panglima Seman Lama, Petra Jaya were Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri, chairman of Homestay Association Mahmud Sabli, parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Mohd Daud Mohd Ariff, director of Ministry of Tourism of Malaysia, Sarawak Esther Douglas Udam and director of Tourism Malaysia Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali.

He said this campaign is to increase the awareness of the public on Homestay products and to further promote Malaysia Homestay packages throughout the country by using new media which include short messaging services (SMS), multimedia messaging services (MMS), online portal, radio advertisements and prints.

He added that the campaign will feature homestay activities in Sarawak and through cooperation with tour operators, several tour packages will be offered to three segments of the market namely the Adventure Segment, the Family Tourist and the Student Tour Group.

He hoped that by carrying out the campaign, the state would expect to see more tourists experiencing ‘homestay’ environment as part of their adventure in Sarawak.

According to Dawos, since the launch of the www.go2homestay.com website in December 2009, the number of visitors has doubled.

He cited that after the first campaign which started with Pahang Homestay, the state recorded an increase in the number of visitors by 450 per cent and in the Johor campaign there was 819 per cent increase in visitors’ arrival for the same period last year. Dawos also revealed that his ministry had introduced video call on handphone to the Homestay Operator on April 18 so that they can get connected by just pressing *3307.

He added that the video call can assist them in promoting and providing more information as to what they have to offer at their homestay and this will give visitors the idea as to what they are going to experience. He said that the Sarawak Homestay is based on the concept of our state.

The concept will allow tourists to experience our way of living and also an insight of the unique culture and traditions of various races. Dawos also reminded tour operators to strongly introduce and promote homestay packages to visitors but they must ensure that the packages are full of attractive activities and that it will be value for money.

With this new campaign he hoped that the number of visitors patronising Sarawak Homestay will increase.

Currently, Sarawak has 19 homestays in the city and 21 in the rural areas involving 233 participants with 243 rooms available. From January to June this year, record showed that 1,448 local visitors and 265 foreigners visited the homestays and the industry has made an income of RM233,184.40. He said that operators of Sarawak 

Homestay should work harder and hopefully the website will be of a great help to them. Dawos encouraged local homestay operators to get together and create more lucrative products. He also advised them to learn from their West Malaysian counterparts. He disclosed that 23 per cent of visitors travelling to West Malaysia stayed at homestays while in Sarawak, only 12 per cent. He wanted tour agencies to get involved and promote homestay programmes through Matta Fair.

Gawai ‘ngabang’ Good Way To Promote Goodwill

May 24, 2010, Monday Borneo Post

KUCHING: The ‘ngabang’ (visit each other’s open houses) concept during Gawai festival should be maintained as it has proved to be an effective way to strengthen comradeship and improve understanding and tolerance of each other’s cultures. Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, who said this on Saturday night, also hoped to see more open houses in individual homes instead of just limiting it to ‘dewan’ (multi-purpose halls) only.

“It is not about eating or drinking but it is about strengthening one’s relationship and fostering closer ties among the various races in the community. I hope that the ‘ngabang’ and open house concept would be continued by all races in all celebrations,” he said. Daud, who is also Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development, mentioned this at the ‘Pre-Gawai Celebration 2010’ at Taman Malihah here.

The dinner was jointly organised by Taman Malihah’s Dayak Social Welfare and Recreational Cub together with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Taman Malihah II branch . According to Daud, he finds the Gawai festival as becoming more prominent as it also attracts attention from people of other ethnic groups and religions, even from outside Sarawak.

He said come June 1, it is a norm to see many different races flocking to the longhouses to witness first hand the ‘Miring’ and the ‘Ngetas Ranyai’ ceremonies to mark the opening of the Gawai celebration. “Dayaks should be proud of this appeal. Even though every race has its own celebration, this sentiment shows that each and everyone of us has a place in Sarawak. “When everybody celebrates each other’s culture, clearly that sincerity is in place and this proves that the 1Malaysia spirit has always been practised in the state way before our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak introduced his 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

Two villages selected for Tourism Gawai venues

April 30, 2010, Friday Borneo Post

KUCHING: Kampung Annah Rais in Padawan and Kampung Bunuk in Penrissen have been selected as the venues for the inaugural Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Tourism Gawai to be held on June 12.The Council’s Landscape and Tourism Standing Committee chairman Edward Kurik said the event was initiated by MPP in collaboration with the State Tourism and Heritage Ministry and the Tourism Promotion Board Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference after the MPP full council meeting yesterday, he explained that the main objective of the Tourism Gawai was to promote the home-stay programme in the two destinations.

“Most importantly, since it coincides with the Gawai Dayak festival season, foreign visitors in particular, will have an opportunity to get first hand experience on how the Bidayuh community prepare for their Gawai celebration,” he said. He said for that purpose, some visitors would be staying at the two participating longhouses to experience for themselves the unique and interesting Dayak tradition and culture.

“From the feedback we have received from the Tourism Promotion Board Malaysia and Sarawak Tourism Board so far, we can expect about 150 visitors to stay overnight in Kampung Annah Rais on the night of June 11. We don’t know how many will be putting up at Kampung Benuk homestay.

“Apart from those staying in the home-stay in both places, we also expect that many will be coming for a day trip to see the Tourism Dayak celebration on June 12. On that day itself a number of cultural performances will be presented and we can promise lots of interesting and enthralling experience for that,” he said.

Sarawak’s beautiful panorama, ethnics’ wonderful hospitality a world class tourism potential

KUCHING: Sarawak also known as the Land of the Hornbills offers a beautiful panorama of its landscape and the wonderful hospitality of its 23 ethnic groups.Whoever had visited this place is bound to return with friends or family. This is what the writer himself felt after participating the Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia programme in Sarawak organised by the Gaya Travel Magazine with the cooperation of the Tourism Ministry.

The programme from March 26-29 was participated by media, Tourism Malaysia representatives, and the tour agents from Malaysia and Indonesia. The group had the opportunity to tour many places of interest, among others the Borneo Highlands Resort, Homestay Santubong, Homestay Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing Padawa, Kampung Budaya and the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

The group members were tired after stopping at numerous places, and their stomachs were full after eating non-stop. The stay at Homestay Kampung Santubong located about 42 kilometres from Kuching city was a memorable experience. Here visitors can savour and feel the natural splendour at the foothill of the Santubong mountain, among others the beaches and jungles that hold the myth of the Santubong Princess.

Nestled within the fishing village with 2,000 residents, the homestay is being operated with the cooperation of the locals since 2007. It is beautiful, clean and unspoilt by development. Throughout the stay guests were entertained with songs and dances along with activities like tug-of-war and beach football.

According to Jamilah Shukri, the Homestay Santubong coordinator, the visitors there could also scale the beautiful Santubong mountain, visit the Sultan Tengah’s mausoleum and get up and close with dolphins. “Visitors can take pictures of these dolphins at sea, but the dolphins are only present between April and October only. “Even if it rains the dolphins won’t appear, visitors here can follow fishermen to see the dolphins and feed them, they like to feed on small fishes especially anchovies,” she said to Bernama.

For more information on Santubong Homestay please go to www.santubong homestay.com.my. Being the biggest state in Malaysia covering an area of 124,450 square km, Sarawak has many places of interest waiting to be explored and has the potential to emerge as a world class tourist destination.  However, due to certain reasons many of the places are yet to be promoted on a big scale overseas.

The Director of Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali provided Pulau Talang-Talang as an example where the number of visitors had to be restricted to seven only at any one time to safeguard the turtle’s habitat there.

“We conduct studies on the respective places before promoting the place, and this is why at times people get the wrong impression that the government is not helping to promote a particular area, that is not the case, it is due to factors that I have mentioned earlier and others,” he said. — Bernama

Orangutan conservation programme to be emulated for hornbills

by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith and Chai Shin Yi April 7, 2010, Wednesday

KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will intensify its hornbill conservation efforts through restructuring the protection programmes to get them on par with those used in orangutan conservation.“Hornbill conservation has always been around but the adoption programme is much more difficult. We are now finding ways to make the conservation systematic just like the orangutan adoption programme,” SFC chief executive officer Datu Len Talif Salleh said at a press conference at Pullman Hotel, here yesterday.

Len, who is also Ministry of Planning and Resource Management deputy permanent secretary, pointed out that SFC has always been serious in wildlife protection.In fact, the programmes were restructured and governed by strong laws.

“However, the law will be useless if enforcement is weak or not carried out at all. What needs to be done is strengthening enforcement on the ground,” he said.

According to him, enforcement was even packaged together with the Endangered Wildlife Programme to enable the public to voluntarily help to enforce the law.He also mentioned that lots of things needed to be done especially cultural integration.

“When I saw hornbill feathers used to decorate native headgear, I asked if it was easy to find them. The rural folk said it was very difficult as hornbills are rarely found nowadays.

“Here, we know that there should be more awareness of the communities concerning the conservation of hornbills. We have to integrate this culture into something which is sustainable as far as wildlife conservation is concerned,” said Len. He admitted that the programme might be hard to implement as the government needed to educate the natives and disseminate the correct information to them. Not to be deterred, SFC has designated Matang Wildlife Centre as part of the hornbill conservation programme.

SFC would also step up in-depth research which lots of emphasis on hornbill productive capabilities, migration pattern and diet. The programme is currently in its initial developmental stage, and it is hoped that it could be implemented by 2010. On the current hornbill population, Len said that it has not been surveyed. He mentioned that it was very difficult to quantify because hornbill habitats have no boundaries.

Hence, trans-boundary conservation programme was very much needed because no matter what efforts were taken here, the effort would become useless if the other side (Sabah, Brunei, Kalimantan) were not doing enough.

“Our efforts must be comprehensive and integrated. For positive results, all enforcement efforts must coincide or at least be carried out by all parties,” said Len. He also reminded the public not to worry about the hornbill’s population as all eight species were not on the verge of extinction.

On Hose’s civet, many of which have been found in logging concession areas, Len said the animals were included under the protection and conservation programme as well. “Since SFC is conserving all wildlife deemed endemic in the state, all logging and conservation activities are monitored by the Forest Department. We are making sure that the animals are not harmed.

“The forest ordinance also covers conservation efforts. It is a total package, not separate issues. Even if a concession area belongs to a private company, SFC will study the area and restrict certain activities. I as the director issues logging permits. SFC is responsible for monitoring logging,” he said. He acknowledged that there have been a lot of foreign criticisms, critical articles and reports calling for more conservation efforts.

Rain Forest In Borneo

The nearest rain forest in Kuching is at Semonggok.

This National Park or a Nature Reserve is a Totally Protected Area where killing, injuring, capturing or disturbing any animal or taking or destroying any plant, egg or nest are prohibited.

Located mile 12, is about 15 minutes drive from Kuching International Airport.

Welcome to SARAWAK FORESTRY, and the unique vision we are planning to achieve - global recognition as the leader in tropical forest conservation and products.

They are entrusted to safeguard and sustainably manage the amazingbiodiversity, in Sarawak's forests - covering tens of thousands of species of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms.

http://www.sarawakforestry.com/

Rain Forest In Borneo

Vist us at Borneo Island and we will show you the love of nature

Borneo Homestay our 2010 main product: Ministry

By Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith January 29, 2010, Friday

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism’s state office is targeting to make the Homestay business the main product for the Sarawak Tourism market in 2010 for its uniqueness and vastly increasing performance in revenue.The ministry’s state director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali said the Homestay business has the potential to complement almost all of the tourism marketing packages that the state has to offer.

“Sarawak’s main tourism strength is obviously the cultural, nature and adventure aspect. Along with the agro and eco-tourism that Tourism Malaysia is campaigning nationwide, Homestay business is definitely the front runner as a tourism marketing tool in the accommodation factor.
“The state is very rich in culture, for example, the Gawai Dayak celebration and the longhouses. These are things that only Sarawak can offer. It is our strength and now is the time for every player to step up his game in capitalising on this strength and enhance our niche product,” Ahmad added.

Speaking at the ministry’s Sarawak office’s ‘Briefing Session to Tourism Industry Players’ at the Grand Margherita Hotel yesterday, Ahmad suggested giving emphasis to promoting Homestay as the main attraction and selling point. He said the performance of the Homestay business is very encouraging as in 2009, the income of RM455,430 in revenue received is an increased of RM41,607 from the RM413,823 recorded in 2008.

Ahmad said Kampung Santubong Homestay generated the most income last year with a total of RM137,070 generated. Kampung Annah Rais came second with RM75,566. Although the volume of tourist dropped compared to the previous year, he said that the revenue increased due to the amount of tourist spending and this is what the state is promoting — Quality Tourism. On the state tourist target for 2010, he also highlighted that the ministry is seriously targeting about 3.6 million international tourist arrivals.

“3.6 million is a realistic target considering Tourism Malaysia’s forecast that Sarawak could attract at least 15 per cent of the national 24 million tourist target for 2010.
“Even though the tourist number dropped to 2.8 million last year compare to 4.5 million in 2008, the global economic recovery and the decrease threat of the Influenza A epidemic should be taken as a positive sign.

“Additionally, if we consider the hotel capacity state-wide and the increase accessibility to the state, the target is achievable. Now we need to be bold and confident in playing our role to achieve this target,” Ahmad stressed.
He also emphasised that the state also needs to tailor its industry to the sensitivity of current global issues.

Highlighting the ‘Go For Green’ campaign that the ministry has planned, he explained that it is important to take care of the environment and ensure the cleanliness of all the products.
He also advised to all the tourism industry players to try create more activities and promotions during the off peak period, saying the tour agents could create more packages and expand the tourist domestic destinations.

Among other activities in the planning, the ministry has plans to invite a total of 120 tour operators worldwide to visit the state in July. Ahmad said that the idea came about due to the success of the 2009 Megafam programme where members of the media around the world were invited to visit Sarawak.

During the time, they were accommodated at a Homestay in Santubong and the feedback was very encouraging. He said Malaysia only registered a mere 19 per cent of repeated visitors last year compared to Thailand which has a total of 54 per cent.

Ahmad stated that for this aspect to improve, the industry must improve its service quality as tourism is about hospitality. He advised every player to give their best service, be more creative and try to complement each other.

Homestay our 2010 main product: Ministry

By Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith January 29, 2010, Friday

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism’s state office is targeting to make the Homestay business the main product for the Sarawak Tourism market in 2010 for its uniqueness and vastly increasing performance in revenue.The ministry’s state director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali said the Homestay business has the potential to complement almost all of the tourism marketing packages that the state has to offer.

“Sarawak’s main tourism strength is obviously the cultural, nature and adventure aspect. Along with the agro and eco-tourism that Tourism Malaysia is campaigning nationwide, Homestay business is definitely the front runner as a tourism marketing tool in the accommodation factor.
“The state is very rich in culture, for example, the Gawai Dayak celebration and the longhouses. These are things that only Sarawak can offer. It is our strength and now is the time for every player to step up his game in capitalising on this strength and enhance our niche product,” Ahmad added.

Speaking at the ministry’s Sarawak office’s ‘Briefing Session to Tourism Industry Players’ at the Grand Margherita Hotel yesterday, Ahmad suggested giving emphasis to promoting Homestay as the main attraction and selling point. He said the performance of the Homestay business is very encouraging as in 2009, the income of RM455,430 in revenue received is an increased of RM41,607 from the RM413,823 recorded in 2008.

Ahmad said Kampung Santubong Homestay generated the most income last year with a total of RM137,070 generated. Kampung Annah Rais came second with RM75,566. Although the volume of tourist dropped compared to the previous year, he said that the revenue increased due to the amount of tourist spending and this is what the state is promoting — Quality Tourism.
On the state tourist target for 2010, he also highlighted that the ministry is seriously targeting about 3.6 million international tourist arrivals. “3.6 million is a realistic target considering Tourism Malaysia’s forecast that Sarawak could attract at least 15 per cent of the national 24 million tourist target for 2010.

“Even though the tourist number dropped to 2.8 million last year compare to 4.5 million in 2008, the global economic recovery and the decrease threat of the Influenza A epidemic should be taken as a positive sign. “Additionally, if we consider the hotel capacity state-wide and the increase accessibility to the state, the target is achievable. Now we need to be bold and confident in playing our role to achieve this target,” Ahmad stressed. He also emphasised that the state also needs to tailor its industry to the sensitivity of current global issues.

Highlighting the ‘Go For Green’ campaign that the ministry has planned, he explained that it is important to take care of the environment and ensure the cleanliness of all the products.
He also advised to all the tourism industry players to try create more activities and promotions during the off peak period, saying the tour agents could create more packages and expand the tourist domestic destinations.

Among other activities in the planning, the ministry has plans to invite a total of 120 tour operators worldwide to visit the state in July. Ahmad said that the idea came about due to the success of the 2009 Megafam programme where members of the media around the world were invited to visit Sarawak.

During the time, they were accommodated at a Homestay in Santubong and the feedback was very encouraging. He said Malaysia only registered a mere 19 per cent of repeated visitors last year compared to Thailand which has a total of 54 per cent.
Ahmad stated that for this aspect to improve, the industry must improve its service quality as tourism is about hospitality. He advised every player to give their best service, be more creative and try to complement each other

Miri, the ‘natural’ destination for Singaporeans

SINGAPORE: Since the start of AirAsia’s direct flight from the Lion City to Miri in Sarawak last September, the former oil town in the Land of The Hornbills began to draw interest from visitors in this island state.Before this the holiday-makers from ‘Temasik’, as the republic was known in its early history, would travel to states in the Peninsula like Johor, Melaka, Pahang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to spend their vacation or to enjoy mother nature like going for jungle-trekking, mountain climbing and venture into the lush green forests apart having frolicks at waterfalls.
However, since the launch of the only direct flight that links the concrete jungle here to the logging town of Miri, Sarawak’s second biggest after Kuching, Singaporeans have started to switch their attention to this new tourism destination.

In truth, only the South China Sea separates Singapore from Sarawak, located to the island state’s northeast.

Despite being a mere one hour’s flight away from Changi to Kuching, Singaporeans have yet to be really familiar with the Land of The Hornbills.

The islanders only began to turn their attention to the states in Borneo when the budget airlines, AirAsia’ introduced frills-free flights from Changi to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah in November 2008.

Since then, Singaporeans and the island’s expatriate community have started to visit Sarawak that they previously knew via books and other reading materials apart from travel brochures.
Before AirAsia flies to the republic, there are other flights from Singapore to Kuching by other airlines but the fare is not cheap and the flight schedule is not that frequent.
Due to the lack of transport and accommodation facilities in the expanse of Sarawak Singapore tourists visit only Kuching and the city’s fringe areas such as Santubong, Bau, Kota Samarahan, Lundu, Serian and Tebedu.

And, their visits were only restricted to attractions like the Sarawak cultural village in Santubong, wildlife park at Matang and Semenggoh, national park at Bako and Batang Ai apart from the Borneo Highlands, Tasik Biru, as well as the longhouses of Iban and Bidayuh located nearby.

As for those who visited Kuching, they were unable to enjoy Sarawak’s real ‘beauties’ despite the state being endowed with a rich natural environment that includes forests, hills and mountains, rivers and the enchanting caves apart from the culture of the more than 30 ethnic groups there.
Realising this situation, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has initiated proactive measures and since last September promoted Miri in tandem with the move to introduce budget air travel direct from Singapore to that city.

The promotions were staged via tourism roadshows in Singapore and organised by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore and Tourism Malaysia.

STB’s Letitia Samuel said Miri offers various attractions that are both unique and natural which their secrets have yet to be explored such as the Niah Caves and the Borneo jungles located not far from the city.

Those who fly into Miri from Kuala Lumpur or Kuching would usually miss out the Niah National Park and other places of interest located nearby as they prefer to visit the more popular Mulu National Park.

Hence, they used the Miri Airport as the transit point before proceeding to the Mulu National Park that has huge caves declared by Unesco as a World Heritage site.
Therefore they missed out the chance of viewing the caves at Niah National Park, said Letitia who is a Bidayuh from Sarawak.

Caves at the Niah National Park had been inhabited by the stone age man more than 40,000 years ago. The caves were only explored in 1957 when the then Sarawak Museum Curator Tom Harrison organised an archeological expedition to the caves that still exhibit the features left by inhabitants during the stone age.

Palaeolithic artefacts from the old stone age and the skeleton of the oldest modern man in Southeast Asia were found at these caves.The discovery showed that civilisation used to exist at these caves making the Niah National Park one of the most important archeological site in the world.

There are three caves at the Niah National Park — ‘Gua Pedagang (Trader Cave), ‘Gua Besar’ (Great Cave) and ‘Gua Lukisan’ (Painted Cave).
The Trader Cave is known as such as the cave is used by the local merchants as the trading spot for the swiftlet birdnest harvested from the caves at the park.
Visitors to this cave would find the remnants or sites of huts and sheds erected by the birdnest traders more than 50 years ago.

Even though the birdnest trading is not as brisk as it used to be in the 1950s until the late 1970s, visitors would still be able to see the activity being carried out by the locals. What fascinated these visitors was the sight of birdnest harvesters, with the torch tied to their forehead, scaling the wooden or bamboo ladder joined to each other to reach some ‘seven to eight storeys high, in order to look for the birdnest of the swiftlets in the dark cave.

As the raw form of the birdnest fetches the price of between RM3,000 and RM7,500 a kg, it is no surprise that the birdnest harvester are willing to be ‘daredevils’ and risk their life and limb in order to get this priceless commodity.

The visitors would also be able to visit the Painted Cave where one could find more than 100 sketches or Neolithic paintings from the new stone age along the some 50 metre stretch of the cave wall.

The paintings, of various shapes and sizes, are from about several centimetres to until one metre big. Some depicted the form of humans and boats apart from abstract and geometric shapes believed to have been drawn out using a red dye taken from the plants.

Therefore visitors from this region, including Singapore, would not have to travel far to places in Africa, Europe, West Asia or South Africa in order to view paintings created by the ancient man as the Niah Caves have a history of human civilisation.

Apart from that the vacationing tourists would also be able to view the breathtaking stalagtites and stalagmites and evidence of Tom Harrison’s archeological work in the Great Cave.
Besides these ‘enchanting’ caves, the holiday-makers who visited Miri would have the opportunity to explore the nature such as the lush green jungles apart from viewing the wildlife, picking local fruits and having a bath in the cool and clear water at the waterfalls.

A hotel operator, Henry Law Ing Hua, 59, built a resort named the ‘Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort’ located next to the Bukit Lambir National Park. A mere 36 km away from Miri or 30 minutes drive from the Miri Airport, the more than 300 hectares-wide resort has some 50 rooms and chalets as well as a hostel for visitors who came in groups.

The resort, which opened in stages since June 1, 2007, offers various activities like jungle-trekking, negotiating the river on boats, viewing the livestock and night walk in the jungle.
The resort also has a campsite apart from activities such as abseiling, wall climbing and angling.
Sports such as futsal, badminton and basketball are also available.

There are also orchards that provide an array of local fruits including the jackfruit, cempedak, rambutan, dabai, longan, pineapple, mango, durian, guava, lime, ciku, papaya and banana.
The guests are allowed to pick and eat the fruits fresh from the trees. Law, who is the resort’s managing director, said he has plans to open a fenced-up safari-like area this year.

With that, Singaporeans who wish to visit mother nature would not have to go far to have this opportunity. — Bernama

2nd International Geotourism Conference

Register now for a RM 300.00 rebate The 2nd International Geotourism Conference to be held at the Royal Mulu Resort, on April 17 – 20 2010, is offering a RM 300.00 rebate to ‘Early Bird’ participants who register on or before January 31, 2010.

The regular fee for this international conference is RM 3,000.00, while the concession rate for students is RM 1,500.

The conference will highlight the status of geotourism as a conservation tool. It is intrinsically an educational process, a nature-based tourism activity uncovering a link between landscape and geology. The impact of geological landforms and activities on our lives can thus be better understood.

For conference registration, please log on to the website at www.globalgeotourism.com, and for further information please email; ggc10@aosconventions.com More Eastar Jet flights to Kuching/Miri Eastar Jet, one of South Korea’s low-cost carriers, will mount additional flights to Sarawak after April 2010; the augmented schedule will include Miri as an additional destination for the airline.

The inaugural flight to Kuching on early Christmas morning saw 114 Koreans, comprising golfers and students, escape their sub-zero winter temperatures. The subsequent flight on the early morning of December 28 saw more than 80 passengers heading for Kuching to spend their holidays in a pleasant tropical climate.

3 more charter flights will follow in January 2010. Year End Sale (YES) wraps up on January 3
Malaysia’s best shopping deal, the annual Year End Sale (YES), will end on January 3, 2010!
Business outlets including boutiques and retail centers participate in this much-awaited annual sale; special offers range up to 70% discount nation-wide. Missed this fabulous shopping opportunity? Not to worry -- the next round of Malaysia Mega Sale is scheduled to be held from July 27 to September 16 2010, organized jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia.

Published by:Sarawak Tourism Board2nd Half of December 2009