BINTULU: Tourism industry players here welcome the government’s initiative to help the industry which has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bintulu Tourism Movers Association chairman Ismawi Ishak said the initiatives announced in the federal Budget 2022 would provide relief to industry players especially hotels and tourism operators.
He noted the government’s attention in the field of cultural and performing arts development would be major tourism products that could take advantage of Sarawak’s diverse cultures and heritage which have a wide market value especially among foreign visitors.
“The association hopes that this initiative can also be enjoyed by the Bintulu community who are directly involved in the tourism industry.
“Bintulu Division has huge potential as a major tourism hub and corporate tourists in Sarawak given its strategic location and being the main gateway to this zone as well as an important oil and gas industry destination for the country.
Finance Minister Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced in Budget 2022 that several key initiatives with a total value of RM1.6 billion will be implemented next year to help the tourism industry.
This includes the implementation of a Wage Subsidy Programme targeted at tourism industry players as well as specific funding for the tourism sector of RM600 million.
There is also special assistance to more than 20,000 tourism operators registered under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for a period of three months with an allocation of RM85 million in addition to matching grants for repair of 738 budget hotels and other amenities.
