German, Italian operators renew interest on S’wak

KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has managed to cause a buzz for the State at the Asean Tourism Forum 2007 (ATF 2007) from Jan 30 to Feb 2 in Singapore.

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Malaysia’s Tourism Minister Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, receiving a souvenir from Gracie after the minister visited STB’s booth at the ATF 2007.

STB was represented by its CEO Gracie Geikie and marketing manager Mary Wan, and through the two-day travel exchange by appointments, STB met with 42 buyers from 16 countries.

“It is interesting to note that we seemed to have renewed interest for Sarawak packages from some operators, especially from Germany and Italy.

“Our product updates, new photo CDs, information and destination brochures and new tour attractions such as the Salak Wildlife cruise, Dolphin watching, Agro tourism in Sarikei have got the operators quite keen to revisit Sarawak again,” said Gracie in a press statement yesterday.

STB has also agreed on a campaign with Sun Promotions of Germany to promote agent holidays to Sarawak. Sun Promotions specialises in connecting the travel trade to visit products and packages available in existing tour operator brochures for a study holiday.

It has a base of 72,000 German-speaking travel trade members from Germany, Austria and Switzerland and 30,000 travel trade members from United Kingdom.

Its product director Klaus Hermanns said: “The easiest and most convincing way for the retail agent to sell the product is to have experienced it themselves. Whilst it is a holiday at a special price for travel agents, it will also equip them to know the product better and to be able to sell better.

“We have run similar campaigns with other destinations and it has shown positive numbers for the destination. I hope it will work good numbers to Sarawak.

“It is really up to the resorts or hotels and ground operators who want to support this campaign to bring in added numbers. All special packages are offered online to the members and thus a very cost effective campaign for any destination.”

While in Singapore, Sarawak’s 14-member Sarawak Cultural dance troupe performed at the Malaysia Night of the ATF. The troupe also visited and conducted workshops at several higher education schools and expatriate clubs, whilst at the same time promoting youth tourism, one of the fastest growing segments out of Singapore.

Specially tailored and designed youth tour programmes are also offered to the Singapore youth market.

There will be six packages available which include Kuching, Sematan, Bako and Bau/Sibu, Mukah, Kapit and Sarikei/Miri, Mulu and Limbang. Mulu and Limbang will be launched at another travel fair in Singapore in March this year.

Written By:
The Borneo Post
3rd February 2007