KUCHING: Homestays will allow tourists to experience local culture and traditions during the Gawai Dayak open house and parade in Betong organised by the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.
The Deputy Minister of Youth Sports and Entrepreneur Development added that homestays would also benefit the residents of Betong economically because not everybody would be able to stay in the longhouses during the celebrations.
“We are getting the homestays to work together with Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and so on,” he said.
Rentap explained that STF’s Gawai Dayak Open House in Betong, on June 8, would showcase Dayak culture, and allow visitors to experience Sarawak culture as well as showcase harmonious ways of living in Sarawak.
“Betong is not far from Kuching. It is only about three hours away and you can experience the daily lives of the people there, stay in the longhouses and swim in the rivers,” he told a press conference on STF’s Gawai Dayak Open House 2024 at The Space, ICUBE, Icom Square yesterday (March 1).
Rentap, who is Layar assemblyman, added that selling Dayak costumes during the Gawai Dayak open house and parade would also allow the locals in Betong to make some money.
“Baju burung (traditional costume for Iban male) costs around RM400 to RM500 each and at the event, there are expected to be more than 2,000 people.
“The sales of andicrafts also have a multiplying effect on the local economy and that’s something we want to encourage,” he said.
Rentap also shared that the Gawai Dayak Open House would be held at the historic Rumah Anyie Rajit, Matop.
He added that the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway in Betong augured well for tourism in the area.
Another plus point, he said, was the hospitality of the Iban people.
“The Open House will showcase the spirit of Gawai,” Rentap added.
Also present at the press conference were STF president, Audrey Wan Ulok, director for Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, Lena Buntal, State director of Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus and Temenggong Richard Mulok Entring from Rumah Panjang Anyie ak Rajit, Matop.
