Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Sarawak tourism told to target local tourists during economic slowdown

KUCHING: Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit urged local travel and tourism operators to take the current economic slowdown in their stride by shifting their market towards local tourists.

“Though this (the economic slowdown) can be looked upon as a half empty glass to those who wish to see Malaysia awash with foreign tourists, this could also represent an opportunity for Malaysian travel and tourism operators to aggressively target their own fellow countrymen as a highly accessible market with potential repeat visitors in the long term,” he explained.

Speaking at the ‘Malam Kembara Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia Sarawak’ dinner on Sunday night at Sarawak Cultural Village, he encouraged Malaysian tourism operators to also target travellers from the Asean region due to their close proximity.

Dawos said according to the tourism trend worldwide, it is forecasted that many tourists will spend their holidays domestically this year due to the current economic slowdown, and travellers’ general tendency to avoid risks by not travelling abroad.

He also invited west Malaysians to visit Sarawak to witness for themselves the state’s enchanting beauty and culture.

“Sarawak, being the largest state in Malaysia and boasting 40 sub-ethnic groups that live in harmony, is sure to enchant many domestic travellers, making them want to come back for more,” said Dawos who is Mambong MP.

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