Sarawak's Sematan Carnival using crabs to pull in more tourists

SEMATAN (Sarawak): This seaside town, 110km west of Kuching, is trying to lure visitors through their stomachs – by promoting its delicious crabs at the inaugural Sematan Carnival and Crab Fest.

Besides an exhibition on the crustacean, there are stalls offering live crabs and a variety of crab dishes such as crab sandwiches, soft-shelled crab burgers and fried rice with crabstick

Activities during the three-day carnival which started on Friday, include crab-cooking competition, guessing the number of crabs in a glass jar and a quiz on crabs.

The carnival is jointly organised by the state Urban Development and Tourism Ministry, Agriculture Department and Kuching Resident’s Office to promote this town as a tourist destination.

Launching the carnival yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the carnival would help promote the crab industry here and introduce its attractions such as the beautiful beaches, corals, seafood and two nearby national parks to visitors.

“Tourism infrastructure and facilities here have been upgraded and this will help draw in more visitors. For example, there are now home-stay programmes in several villages in the district,” he said.

He also said the crab industry here would continue to be developed by the Agriculture Department in collaboration with a private company, Kumpulan Muhandis Sdn Bhd, as well as with the assistance from foreign agencies such as Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development.

Source: The Star

Promoting Brunei as a honeymoon destination

The Empire Hotel and Country Club recently hosted a TV crew from Mushroom Television, Bangkok, who were in the Sultanate to do a special feature on Brunei for a television programme called 'Honeymoon Seat' that showcases wonderful honeymoon destinations around the region.

The group received a traditional Hadrah welcome at the hotel, where they were greeted by Assistant PR & Marketing Manger Ak Danny Pg Tajuddin.

During their visit, the group had the opportunity to film the luxurious rooms and suites, restaurants and facilities available at the hotel.

Asides from that, they also visited and filmed several tourist attractions including the water village, Jerudong Park Playground, a view of the town and the commercial centers in Gadong.

This trip was also supported by Bon Asia Holidays with tours and ground handling arrangements.

The programme will feature Brunei as a unique and beautiful honeymoon destination. Other countries that have been featured include Australia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Honeymoon Seat is aired every Wednesday, at 8.45pm on UBC TV, Channel 17, Bangkok. The programme that features Brunei is to be aired on UBC Cable TV, Channel 17, Bangkok in December this year.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday

MAS joins resort in promoting Mulu

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Royal Mulu Resort have joined forces to promote Mulu as a popular tourist destination under a special package.

The three-day-two-night package priced at RM650 onwards includes accommodation, air fares, airport transfers, tours of the world-famous Mulu caves and meals.

The agreement was signed by MAS Sarawak sales manager Victor Lim and Royal Mulu Resort general manager Alan Robinson in Kuching recently.

Lim said that Mulu was chosen because it was a World Heritage Site with spectacular caves and unique wildlife and was an ideal destination to promote tourism in Sarawak.

He added that MAS was always looking at ways to promote local tourist destinations through special packages.

"We want to package local destinations at affordable prices to help boost domestic tourism," he said.

Robinson described Mulu as one of the jewels of the world.

"Mulu is more than just a travel destination. It is a paradise," he said.

The package is sold in Sarawak only and reservations should be made seven days in advance.

Source: The Star

More Info on Mulu World Heritage Tours, Sarawak

Tropical Vacation Resort: Nexus Karambunai Resort, Tuaran

The front view and entrance to Nexus Karambunai Resort

Another view of the resort - from the inner area

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Content & Photos Copyright © 2005 e-borneo.com

written for our sister site Borneo Tropical Vacation

Café Tatu - New outlet at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort

By Wati Andi Samsiar

KOTA KINABALU: Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) is creating waves with the opening of its new interactive dining outlet Café Tatu.

Refurbished at a cost of RM3.5 million, the restaurant which occupies its former coffee house, has been extended from its original size.

The new outlet can now accommodate up to 362 guests at any one time.

Located on the garden level of Tanjung Wing, Café Tatu offers the buzz and variety of live action stations cooking up sensational authentic global cuisines in a vibrant and colourful atmosphere.

The restaurant features luxurious buffet breakfast and dinner with live-cooking stations of Mongolian, Tandoori, Asian noodles, Dim Sum, pasta stations, salad and deserts.

Guests can watch as their dishes are prepared fresh, hot and steaming on the pot.

There is also an array of Asian and Western main courses.

An added dimension to Café Tatu is its very own authentic Mongolian oven where e grilled Mediterranean cuisine is prepared.

Café Tatu replaces the former Garden Terrace restaurant and opens seven days a week from 6.30am to 10.30pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It offers buffet breakfast from 6.30am to 10.30am and buffet dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Lunch is available a la carte and features Asian favourites as well as Western favourites.

And by the way, Tatu stands for “Tanjung Aru, Tantalising and Unique”.

The opening yesterday was unique as all the invited guests have a hand in the event with each being given a string to pull to unveil the interior of the outlet.

Present to lead the guests was the resort general manager Ulf Bremer, Sabah Tourism Board chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin and Tanjung Aru Hotel chairman Datuk Frankie Chong.

Courtesy of: New Sabah Times