Private sector must help keep Kuching-Macau route open because there is no more spoon-feeding by STB: Geikie

KUCHING: AirAsia’s new direct Kuching-Macau flight commencing Nov 15 opened for online booking yesterday.

WORKING TOGETHER: Geikie (left) shakes hands with Shanmugamnathan to thank AirAsia for plying the new Kuching-Macau route.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), though ecstatic with this new chapter in the State’s tourism industry yesterday, called on the public to help sustain this flight by offering attractive packages for Sarawakians to visit Macau, an important gateway to China due to its proximity to Guangzhou, Szenchen and Hong Kong.

Its chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said STB was already doing its part by marketing the State in Macau, as well as winning its fight to improve air connectivity and accessibility here.

“STB can advertise and do road shows. The new air route is now available. Now the private sector, not just travel agents, but hoteliers must take this new opportunity to help us sustain this Kuching-Macau route. No more spoon-feeding from us,” she told a press conference held at STB’s office.

On STB’s marketing strategies to attract visitors from Macau, she said there were plans for familiarisation trips for media representatives and travel agents from Macau, as well as advertisements and promotional campaigns.

She added that the large expatriate community in Macau was also targeted as their leave schedule allowed them many days to be spent on short-term holidays within the Asian region.

“We will also advertise in the expatriate magazine there,” she said.

AirAsia station manager in Sarawak, S Shanmugamnathan, said the company might even use the larger Airbus 330 aircraft in addition to the usual Boeing 737 aircraft if the passenger load was very good.

“If all sectors work together hand-in-hand, I believe we can achieve good passenger load for this route,” he said.

AirAsia flies three times weekly from Kuching to Macau, and vice-versa every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It is also the first AirAsia international route for Kuching.

Guests can book through www.airasia.com from Oct 25 to 31 to enjoy the special promotional fares from RM39.99 for the travel period of Nov 15 this year to March 29 next year.