Saturday, January 29, 2011

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2011 expected to generate RM20 million

KUCHING: This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) to be held from July 8 to 10 is expected to generate around RM20 million for the local tourism industry.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who is also Tourism and Heritage Minister, said last year’s event raked in RM13 million.

He said the target of RM20 million for this year should be achievable by promoting the event more aggressively, including among European countries.

“Eventually we want to make sure that this festival is not only confined to the usual people who come from neighbouring countries like Singapore or Brunei but beyond, such as Hong Kong, Australia or more far away countries.

“Europe is also likely to be included in a bigger way, but we never really hard sell the event to them. This time we should hard sell it in Europe so that we can get more people to come from outside the usual areas,” he said.

Last time there were about 40 percent foreigners and this time the target is 70 per cent, Dr Chan told reporters during a media conference in conjunction with the unveiling of the new logo for RWMF at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

Earlier, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said they were having an early start in preparation for RWMF 2011 to ensure greater success.

He said this year they were targeting 21 bands (19 international and two locals) to perform on three consecutive nights.

The response to this year’s festival was encouraging with all 1,000 special promotion online tickets launched in October last year snapped up.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2011 expected to generate RM20 million
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