First taste of VMY 2007

24-member Chinese media group on special trip here gets clue to what Sarawak can offer tourist in the months ahead

Kuching: A unique, and no less warm, welcome spread out for a 24-member media group from Beijing and Shanghai currently in Sarawak for a 7-day FAM (familiarisation) Trip, truly surprised the visitors when the organisers took each one of them on a big bike ride to their hotel yesterday.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Tourism Malaysia, in a most interestingly innovative move to give their media guests the right impression of what could be expected of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007, lined up those big machines at the Kuching International Airport, which really took the wind of some first timers in the encourage.

Zhu Lu of Beijing TV Station was heard talking to a big bike owner, "I'd like to try on this" as she put on a helmet.

"Never have I experienced this is my life and it is so special. Normally a bus or two would be arranged to take us to the hotel after this, I wonder where we will be taken to next.

"It's sort of exciting and fun but looks dangerous in a way. Anyway, I'd love to experience new and unique things," said the journalist with a broad grin.

Pointing out that many Chinese nationals had limited knowledge about Sarawak, Zhu said she would certainly share her first hand experience here with her countrymen back home.

"Although this is my first visit to Sarawak, I know that it's a place full of nature and culture. I do expect something different from this trip," she said, adding that she had been to Malaysia thrice.

Concurring with Zhu, Joe Jiang of Trends Traveller Beijing said the majority of Chinese were unfamiliar with East Malaysia, Sarawak in particular.

He believed that the week-long trip would enligthen the group, who would help to promote tourist attractions here back in China.

"Many Chinese tourists have not been to Sarawak and I guess they will like the place if they know about. It so happens that I've heard of Kuching - the Cat City besides the Ibans," said the 32-year-old with six years of experince in the media industry.

Also a first-timer to the Land of Hornbill, Jiang said the diverse culture and customs had potential to draw the attention on foreign tourists.

Jenny Chen of the Hangzhou TV Station was able to tell that Sarawak has the longest river - Rajang River - in Malaysia.

Despite the fact that this was her first visit, she said she did some 'homework' on Sarawak prior to making the trip here.

"I have been to Kuala Lumpur but this is my first time to East Malaysia. Sarawak gives a special feeling of being original and I also learnt about the Niah Caves." she said.

Jia Dongting of Sanlian Lifeweek said she never heard of Sarawak but she obtained some information on the State before coming here.

"What do I know about Sarawak? Tropical forest, rich culutre and 26 ethnic groups," she smiled.

Meanwhile, STB marketing executive Catherine Lau said the group would tour the city, Sibu, Mukah, Miri and Mulu in the next few days.

She also said that 100 couples from China would have a mass wedding here in July during the Rainforest World Music Festival.

To a question, she said STB had four afffiliated agents in Shanghai six each in Beijing and Guangzhou, four in Hongkong and 11 in Taipei.

By Lim How Pin
The Borneo Post
January 8, 2007 (Monday)