KUCHING: Miri can expect to earn about RM4 million a day in tourism revenue once the Sungai Tujoh border crossing with Brunei reopens on Aug 1.
Approximately 2,000 vehicles will be crossing into Miri, said Malaysia Association of Hotels Sarawak chairman John Teo.
In a press statement here today, he said this will translate to at least 5,000 Bruneians as well as others coming into Miri.
“With an average spending of RM800+- per Bruneian in Miri, this will bring an average of RM4m +-per day or RM120m +- per month, or a minimum amount of RM1.44b in tourism spending,” he added.
Mirians will be welcoming Bruneians from Aug 1 onwards after the official reopening of the border by the Brunei government. The border checkpoint will be operating from 6am-6pm.
Teo said with this timing, the association will be able to keep Bruneians back in Miri for the night.
“After dinner it will be too late to go back. Hopefully, this 6pm border closing will continue as long as possible,” he said.
Teo said both governments have agreed to close at 6pm, which will be good for Miri F&B operators as well as for accommodation providers.
“We in Miri here must get ourselves ready for the influx of Bruneians and also Sarawakians crossing over from Lawai and Limbang, and even as far as from Sabah.
“Hotels/motels/inns and other accommodation providers must ready themselves to ensure that our rooms, food and beverage eateries as well as other restaurants, pubs and bistro, as well as department stores, shopping malls and shop owners, kopitiam and others are all ever ready.”
He also revealed that Sarawak hoped to start a Sarawak-Brunei-Sabah Tourism Collaboration Committee Team to cross-promote each other.
“There is only one international airport which is the Kuching International Airport.
“Miri will need to make use of Brunei and Kota Kinabalu International Airport to bring in foreign tourists into Miri.
“Therefore, the Tourism Collaboration Committee Team is important for Miri.”
Domestically, we will be having the Sia Sitok V3 promotion for Sarawakians starting from Sept 1 onwards, he said.
“Back by popular demand, the previous two Sia Sitok promotion for hotels and tours were sold out within two weeks of launching,” he added.
