MIRI: The Covid-19 pandemic is no excuse for the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) not to make plans and preparations to keep the state’s tourism sector going strong in 2021 and beyond, asserted Telang Usan assemblyman and STB chairman Dennis Ngau.
He said STB, being the agency tasked to spearhead tourism promotion and marketing, would continue to come up with strategic initiatives to boost the tourism sector.
“Despite the gloomy outlook and forecast for tourism business in 2021, we are optimistic once the vaccine (for Covid-19) is made available and international borders start to open, people will definitely start to look for destinations to visit.
“Therefore, we have to be optimistic and hopeful that things will improve hopefully in 2021. We want to make Sarawak a preferred destination too,” said Dennis after chairing a meeting in Kuching.
The meeting was held to discuss and plan strategic moves for STB in 2021 and beyond, he said.
“We have come up with some strategies and once this is endorsed in our full board meeting on Dec 18, we will brief our Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“We are confident with our state being blessed with many natural wonders and man-made attractions, our tourism sector will continue to grow and become a revenue generator.”
The meeting was participated by other members of STB’s board of directors, including ministry permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, who is also STB deputy chairman; STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor, Ministry of Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Datuk Antonio Kahti Galis and Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok.
