KUCHING: Mosque tourism and homestay are some of the activities that best display the way of life and cross-cultural values of Sarawak’s famous multi-ethnic groups, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said through the development of mosque tourism, the state could showcase the way of life, art and culture of Sarawak that could not be experienced anywhere else.
“The same goes for homestay activities, which highlight the heritage of the ethnic groups in this state.
“For everyone’s information, MOTAC is currently working to simplify the registration of homestay operators in this country to enable them to benefit under the Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme.
“This is one of the government’s efforts to increase the income generation of the local community, through community-based tourism in rural areas,” said Nancy during her keynote speech at the Islamic Tourism Entrepreneurship and Leadership Seminar (ITELS) at Waterfront Hotel here yesterday.
Thus, she urged the homestay operators to join efforts with local mosques in producing accommodation and tour packages that introduce the daily life of Sarawak’s ethnic community to tourists.
“As well as other industry players from the hotel sector, travel agencies, spa operators, recreation centres and so on, grab as many opportunities as possible to collaborate in offering more Muslim-friendly experiences, products and services that highlight the origins and identity of this state,” she said.
She added among the locations that can be highlighted is Santubong because it is the second oldest Malay state in the world.
“The Sultan Tengah Mausoleum is located here and well preserved for visitors to visit. This district is also interesting with its archaeological sites. Prehistoric burial grounds in Tanjong Kubor, early human activities establishing a steel industry in Sungai Jaong and rock carvings from previous civilizations – all these can be made into interesting stories for Muslim tourists.
“Therefore, industrialists, tourism product operators and Bumi Kenyalang community need to take the opportunity to venture into this sector by raising the treasures of nature, local culture, heritage food, various handicraft products in this state to the eyes of Muslim tourists from inside and outside of the country.
“The Land of the Hornbill has various assets and uniqueness that can be developed as a business opportunity to meet the growing demand of the Islamic market,” she told.
Meanwhile on the seminar, she said it aimed to raise awareness on the advantages and opportunities that the billion-dollar worth sector could offer to the people of Sarawak.
“Throughout the period from January to June this year, Malaysia has welcomed a total of 400,186 Muslim tourists contributing approximately to 18 per cent or RM1.15 billion of the country’s tourism income during their holiday in Malaysia,” she added.
In a press conference after the ceremony, Nancy said the ministry is still looking at Muslim-friendly activities in longhouses in Sarawak.
“To make this happen, we need to gain agreement between the longhouse folks and local community first. There are Muslims living in the longhouse, but majority of them are non Muslims.
“They have products, such as the Gawai festival, Kuih Jala that can be a tourism attraction. It is in the pipeline, and when it can happen later, I think that place will be another great tourist attraction,” she told.
