Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Tourist arrivals to Sarawak up 30 pct this year


KUCHING: The local tourism sector is showing positive development with an increase of 30 per cent tourist arrivals as of June this year, with 12 per cent of this increase coming from China.

“We believe the numbers will keep on increasing. The moment we have more tourists, business will also flourish and this benefits the traders,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He was representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the dual celebration of the TYT’s 80th Birthday and the Completion of India Street Facelift Project on Monday night.

Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said the ministry will continue drawing tourists to Sarawak.

He revealed that his assistant minister (Datuk Lee Kim Shin) just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will bring a charter flight in from China, as an addition to the existing route operated by Hong Kong Airlines.

“With this flight, the number of tourists from China will increase,” he said.

Abang Johari also said that the local medical tourism sector is improving due to arrivals from Indonesia seeking treatment in Kuching.

On the newly-launched India Street Pedestrian Mall, he said that it was the brainchild of the former Chief Minister and that they still needed his advice when it comes to improving Market Street, Gambier Street, Main Bazaar, and Carpenter Street all the way to Padungan.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Tourist arrivals to Sarawak up 30 pct this year
.
.