Putting BIMP-EAGA countries on the tourism map

By George Francis

MIRI - Sarawak will provide the necessary infrastructure and flexible policies in putting BIMP-EAGA on the tourism map to achieve the sub-regional grouping of increasing trade, tourism and investment.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said with the potentials in sub-region, it should be emphasised that Eco-tourism Bio-tourism packages be enhanced for tourist destination.

"Eco-tourism and adventure travel will be important growth areas with the world's growing concern for the rainforest and the green environment." Sarawak, he said, with her tourism products centring on nature and the natural environment can benefit from this travel trend.

He said Sarawak is always supportive of the role played by the private sector, particularly the BIMP-EAGA Business Council Tourism Cluster in promoting the region.

"I believe that the respective governments under the BIMP-EAGA countries are also supportive of their private sector involvement," said Dr Chan when officiating at the BEBC Tourism Cluster inaugural meeting here.

He pointed out that cluster should come up with a multi-lateral or bilateral regional programme.

"It is now left to the private sector, especially the tourism industry players and the stakeholders to move and initiate the programme. I believe that a concerted and integrated plan and effort to promote tourism within BIMP-EAGA could be initiated."

Dr Chan, representing the Chief Minister of Sarawak, hoped the meeting would come up with a strategic plan on the 'Tourism Road Map' as a basis for multi-lateral co-operation in tourism under the sub-region group.

About 100 participants attended the meeting, mainly from the private and public sector tourism stakeholders organisations locally and in the EAGA member countries.

Datuk Abang Karim Tun Openg, as chairman of BEBC Tourism Cluster, currently held by Malaysia led his delegation, while Dato Ahmad Lope Abdul Aziz led the BEBC Sabah, Awang Hj Osman Hj Omar led the Brunei delegation and Sohura T, Dimaampo heading the delegation from the Philippines.

Among the agenda, include a proposal for a joint venture regional airline to improve EAGA connectivity, and a cruise ferrying-around the island of Borneo, Sulawesi and Mindanao.

The idea was to establish air service on priority EAGA routes for easy access to travel and destination connections by encouraging small airline companies to service the viable routes and to strengthen partnership with tourism industry players in coming-up with tour packages, as well as other marketing and promotions activities.

The meeting reviewed status, issues and programmes on tourism brought out in last strategic planning workshop held in Kota Kinabalu for implementation by the respective member countries at least in the next three years.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin