| State aims to attract over 3 million tourists Numerous activities lined up for VMY 2007 Kuching: Sarawak is confident of attracting more than 3 million tourists this year in view of the numerous activities prepared for Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007). This optimism also stems from the fact that Malaysia is celebrating its 50 years of nationhood this year. Assistant Minister of Tourism Hamden Ahmad said the target figure was only a minimum estimate. The targer would not be hard to achieve judging from last year's achievement in which the State managed to surpass it, he said. "In 206 Sarawak set the minimal target of three million tourists but it managed to register more than 3.2 millions tourists,: he told reporters after welcoming the first few bath of visitors at the Kuching Internation Airport (KIA) on Jan 1. State Tourism Action Council manager cum Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Corporate Affairs manager Mohd Tuah Jais, Sarawak Tourism Federation chairman Wee Hong Seng and AirAsia Berhad Kuching Hub manager Shanmuganathan Suppiah were also present to welcome tourists at the KIA. Among the potential markets are Germany, United Kingdom and China, said Hamden. He said the State had lined-up 60 tourism-related events for the whole of this year. The three major events which people should not missed are the Gawai Festival on June 1 to be held throughout Sarawak, Rainforest World Music Festival 10th Anniversary (July 13 to 15) at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) and Sarawak Regatta (Sept 1 to 2) at the Kuching Waterfront, he said. According to Sarawak Calendar of Events 2007, SCV will also be holding World Tribal Dance and Music Fesitval on March 29 to April 1 and World Harvest Festival 2007 (May 26 to 27). Copies of the calendar can be obtained at STB, Bangunan Yayasan Sarawak in Jalan Masjid here or call 082-423600. Interested parties may also visit the website http://www.sarawaktourism.com.com for detailed information and latest updates on all these events. Meanwhile, Mohd Tuah Jais said Kuching and Miri would hold most of the major events compared to Sibu and other divisions because organisers in the two cities had submitted more proposals than the others. Hamden also disclosed that AirAsia would increase its flights in tandem with the State's efforts to promote tourism. In mid-February AirAsia will emabark on a new Kuching-Penang route which is scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Starting mid-February, too, the Johor Bahru-Kuching flight will also be increased from two to three times daily on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Starting Jan 4, direct flights in Kuala Lumpur - Kuching route will be increased from eight to nine times daily. Hamden also proposed that hotels prepared in-house activities to complement the leisure time of their guests, especially foreign tourists. He said foreigners would appreciate local cultural shows and socials activities. This would be one of the ways to attract more hotel customers as well as tourists for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, he said. By Churchill Edward
The Borneo Post | 
