MIRI: Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin believed sailing events help promote tourism here, which can attract high spenders.
He said the government needed to capitalise on the prospects of recreational yachting events given Miri’s advantageous location.
“With the facilities that we have here in Marina Bay jetty, we should promote yachting sport and at the same time engage with the local community,” he told the local media on Saturday night during a gathering with more than 70 yachties from around the globe at Miri Marina.
Yachties from various nationalities such as New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Germany, South Africa, Canada, France as well as Indonesia attended the dinner gathering hosted by Sarawak Sailing Association advisor Troy Yaw, who is also the owner of Miri Marina Bay Jetty.
Lee added that the economic benefit (from the yacht activity) is enormous and there is much more to be tapped.
“Each yacht that arrives in the country spends on average, RM200,000 per year, and with the average stay for those arriving with Sail Malaysia is 730 days”, he pointed out.
Miri Marina has become a three-day location stop from Saturday for 13 yachts.
Prior to this stop, these yacthies had attended the Borneo Rainforest in Kuching.
Also present were managing director of Sail Malaysia Sazli Kamal Basha and representatives from the Malaysia Cruise, Marine ,Tourism Association and Malaysian Tourism, Shipping and Marine Association.
