KUCHING: Sarawak, represented by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and nine travel and tour operators from Kuching, Sibu and Miri, are taking part in the first-ever virtual World Travel Market (WTM).
The nine travel and tour operators are Greatown Travel, Borneo Adventure, Amogha Tours and Travel, One Wayang Tours, Ecogreen Holidays, CPH Travel Agencies, Brighton Travel and Tour, Transworld Travel Services as well as Authentic Borneo Tours.
Chief Executive Officer of STB, Sharzede Datuk Salleh Askor said the virtual Sarawak stand @ WTM London was being housed at the Pullman Kuching Hotel conference hall where STB and its industry partners were present.
After 40 years of having a physical event, WTM London 2020 is hosting a completely virtual event from Nov 9 to 11 from 7am-10pm.
WTM is a yearly trade fair held in London bringing together travel professionals, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers to discuss business, innovation and trends in the travel industry.
In 2019, about 51,000 visitors attended the three-day industry fair with over 5,000 travel trade exhibitors from across the world.
“The main aim of WTM is to help recover, rebuild and shape the travel industry at a time when it needs it the most. The virtual event will focus on restoring and developing business connections, growing networks, branding and learning how to make a comeback,” said Sharzede.
“The live business networking sessions and one-to-one meetings offers a wide range of online business opportunities, adopting the new trends and innovations that are shaping the future of travel industry around the world.
“Therefore, STB will be putting its best efforts to highlight Sarawak as a preferred tourism destination and its initiatives in embracing the new norms of the global travel industry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Although Sarawak could not physically be at WTMLondon due to current travel restrictions, we are ready to make our Sarawak Stand visible for the first time virtually.”
Sharzede added, “I am honoured to be with all Sarawak delegates to virtually be a part of the WTM London, where we hope to learn, share our voice and thoughts with industry peers on reviving the tourism industry and its road map to recovery.
“Indeed, here in Sarawak, we are continuously strategizing and re-strategizing to prepare and ensure comprehensive tourism recovery plans, to improve and rebuild destinations, to encourage innovation and rethink our tourism sector, as we weather the unprecedented challenges faced by this pandemic,” she said.
