KUCHING: A family-oriented marketplace ‘Sitok Kuching’ at Kuching Waterfront was officially launched last Friday and will open today from 4pm until late night.
According to the State Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the event is a good platform for those with particular talents, especially in arts and culinary, to showcase their skills and products.
“The products shown here are diverse and relate to creativity, food and things which I believe the youth love. So, I can see this kind of event would be very helpful in promoting Kuching.
“Apart from showcasing talents, skills and food, there are also presentations of artistic designs and creations.
“I would say this would be a good place for family to come over during weekends,” he told a press conference after touring the ‘Sitok Kuching’ event last Friday night.
Karim added that the event required feedback from the people in order to be mooted as an annual event for the State Tourism Calendar.
As of October, the total number of visitors to Sarawak has increased by 4.69 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The state has recorded about 3.7 million visitors and has yet to achieve the state government’s target of 5 million visitors.
Sitok Kuching is an initiative by Pro Tag Solutions Sdn Bhd supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak that beckons the world to visit Kuching, the Gateway to Sarawak, where there is “More to Discover”.
The three-day market is a specially curated marketplace of creative retail offerings, performances, workshops, food, music, art and family-friendly activities made possible through the contribution of more than 50 creative and independent businesses from Kuching, Sarawak and West Malaysia.
“Sitok” in local Malay dialect means here and Sitok Kuching aims to showcase the Sarawak of the ‘here’ and ‘now’ contained in a vibrant and interactive exhibit that occupies the Old Courthouse, the Square Tower and its adjacent plaza.
Also present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Pro Tag Solutions Sdn Bhd managing director Priscilia Ong and her partner Gordon Chung.
