By Amyra Varkisa & Alexandra Lorna
SIBU: The command of other languages needs to be maintained to attract tourists from other countries to our state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said that besides the national language, Bahasa Malaysia and local ethnic languages, the people of Sarawak had to also command other foreign languages such as English as well as Mandarin which are very important lingua francas.
“This is for us to lure foreign tourists, including the Chinese tourists and those Mandarin-speaking people around the world,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony for Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2022 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang here on Saturday night.
Abang Johari also said that foreign countries such as Canada and (United States) America had a lot of Chinese communities living within these countries.
“In Asia, of course, a lot of Chinese communities and clans. If we are able to speak in Mandarin to the Chinese-speaking people, we can attract all the tourists from those countries where the Chinese are, in terms of number, quite substantial,” he added.
At the same time, Abang Johari also urged the industry players to use the latest technology in promotion which is interactive technology between the people, tourists and government.
“Through the digital promotion as such we will stimulate our tourism industries,” he said.
Commenting on the event, Abang Johari congratulated the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) for their excellent work in organising the BCF.
“SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh indicated to me this morning that he wants to improve this festival in 2023.
“Congratulations to Sibu and I hope that you will be successful in organising a better festival next year,” he said.
