MIRI: This ‘Resort City’ is in dire need of good air connectivity to attract more domestic and international tourists.
In acknowledging this, Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin believed that direct aviation links between this city and other major hubs like Kuala Lumpur or Shenzhen and Guangzhou in China could help boost the local economy.
Moreover, he said the airlines companies had a major role to play in this regard.
“Currently, many have lamented the long-haul flights, especially when travelling abroad in which frequent travellers have to use transit flights either via Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur.
“Our main concern is that such travels waste a lot of time and money — it is really not efficient for business travellers,” he said when met after attending a meeting with officials from Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) yesterday.
Kim Shin, who had approached Malindo Air regarding this matter, also revealed that the airlines company had agreed to provide a once daily return flight plying the Kuala Lumpur-Miri route, beginning this July 1.
“I am happy with the response given by the airlines company, and that this shall be the beginning of better air connectivity between Miri and other places,” he said.
Additionally Kim Shin, who is also Assistant Minister of Land and Air Transportation and Safety, had proposed for MCCCI to establish a sub-committee slated for tackling tourism issues here.
“The MCCCI tourism sub-committee’s role will be compiling information for and tendering proposals to Sarawak Tourism Board (STB). They will also be highlighting key issues that need action. In this aspect, I will be representing MCCCI to urge STB on making the necessary planning and organising events that shall benefit Miri.”
Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Direct air links key to boosting Miri tourism
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