Sunday, March 13, 2016

Sarawak government to persuade Hong Kong Airline to fly to Sibu


SIBU: The state government will try to persuade Hong Kong Airline to mount the Sibu-Hong Kong route.

In anticipation of more development coming up, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said Sibu would become the must-see place for tourists.

“Sibu is always busy with movements of people and goods. Sibu’s vast hinterland, coupled with that of Kapit, Sarikei and Mukah, has a lot of tourism potential that had yet to be fully tapped and developed.

“Furthermore, the central region of Sarawak is rich in culture, nature, adventure, heritage and history,” he said at the launch of Visit Sibu Year 2017 here last night. The event was themed ‘Sibu the Heartland of Borneo’.

His text-of-speech was read by Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Adenan added that the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that he supported a proposal for Sibu to be elevated to a city would also spur tourism in the central region.

The proposed Pan Borneo Highway and other secondary-road network would make Sibu very accessible.

“Anticipating the above developments, Sibu will become the hub and must-stop place for tourists.”

Last year, the state received 4.5 million visitors, bringing in an estimated tourism receipt of RM9 billion, equivalent to about 13 per cent of the state’s GDP.

Tourism had also provided many employment opportunities to Sarawakians, he added.

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