KUCHING : After the commencement of the Shenzhen-Kuching direct flight in December 2017, during the period of January to May 2018, there has an encouraging increase of 20% tourists from China compared to the same corresponding period in 2017.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Lee Kim Shin revealed this in his speech at the Gala Night for Tourism and Cultural Cooperation between China and Sarawak held at Imperial Hotel here on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching. Lee added: “With this trend, I believe more tourists will visit Sarawak in 2018 compared to 2017 (38,204). “I hope that the total number of visitors from China will be 50,000 or more in 2018. Also, I hope that there will be more direct flights to Sarawak from other cities of China.”
In his speech, the Assistant Minister also welcomed the participants of the ASEAN-China Youth Camp and their parents to Sarawak and introduced the nature (National Parks & Wildlife Centres) and culture (local food) of Sarawak to them.
He added that “Unity in diversity” was the best to describe Sarawak. “Sarawak has 27 ethnic groups and every group still preserves and retains its language, culture, customs and traditions. “We celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Gawai Dayak and other festivals together,” said Lee.