BY ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
KUCHING: The tourism industry in Sarawak is expected to grow after the country’s border is opened to Brunei and China.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this would greatly increase tourist arrivals from the two countries.
“Sarawak is heavily dependent on tourists from Singapore, Brunei and China. But China has not yet opened its borders.
“Only tourists from Singapore have started entering Malaysia,” she said after attending the MOTAC Sarawak breaking of fast programme at the Kraftangan Malaysia Sarawak Branch here.
She explained that tourists from Singapore mostly come to Malaysia because some visit family members and those who work in Singapore return to Malaysia.
“I believe when tourists from Brunei come through Miri, we will see an increase in tourists to Sarawak.
“In terms of trends, there are fewer tourists during the fasting month, but at the end of the fasting month, many people will come here,” she said.
Separately, she acknowledged that many Sabahans and Sarawakians were dissatisfied with the high airfares.
“Indeed, we expect the ticket price to be decreased, and as such we are thankful that the price of plane tickets is now reduced by 30 per cent,” said Nancy.
