Malay villages tourism gems

Malay villages in the city smell of tourism dollars, and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg is keen to tap into this revenue stream to its fullest.

Launching Satok Festival 2011 at Kuching Waterfront on Friday, he reasoned that the city was in fact unique because no place in the world had this quaint landscape and nature.

“The federal government has approved RM14 million to upgrade jetties and riverbanks as part of an initiative to enhance the landscape of Kuching.

“This will make our Malay villages more attractive and draw in more tourists to Sarawak.”

Abang Johari, who is Minister of Housing and Satok assemblyman, pointed out that the tourism sector had helped generate a handsome revenue for the state while emerging as the third most important industry in the country.

“It is time for us to realise that tourism is a key sector for Malaysia to increase per capita income and transform our economy.”

Hence, his ministry has been working closely with UCSI University Sarawak Campus to groom individuals to manage homestay programmes, hotel management and tourism development in diverse languages.

On the Satok Festival, Abang Johari said he was glad that the spectacle which had been held for the last five years, came in first runner-up in this year’s Tourism Awards, organised by the ministry.

He thanked the Satok Tourism Coordination Association (PKPS), relevant government agencies and non-governmental organisations for their concerted efforts in organising the festival.

Source - theborneopost