Outbound

Sarawak calling nature lovers

Anupama Sushil - Noida

Inspite of the Incredible India campaign selling tremendously well, a number of Indian states have actively emerged as individual promoters increasing their potential as tourist destinations. Likewise, Tourism Malaysia is now encouraging its largest state of Sarawak at promoting itself as a haven for nature tourism individually but also selling the concept under the Tourism Malaysia banner. Malaysia is following India's way in promoting tourism. The state enjoys an autonomous status and has an independent immigration process.

The state of Sarawak boasts of enchanting rainforests, a variety of flora and fauna, national parks, reefs and mountain trails, all for the responsible tourists combined with its increasing popularity as a MICE destination. Its products are as diverse as its ethnic groups, arts and crafts, musical festivals like the Rainforest World Music Festival, Miri Jazz festival, Borneo Cultural festival, wildlife wonders, natural wonders and adventure tourism opportunities are the things that call for a visit. The place is an extended holiday destination for the tourists visiting Malaysia and Singapore and for those looking for a value-added holiday and purely nature based activities.

Being at a distance of one and an half hour on flight from Malaysia and Singapore it's a destination that will surely be looked upon by the repeat visitors who aim to enjoy more than what they have already experienced.

Clarifying that the destination essentially being aimed at the repeat traveller, Naresh Trehan, marketing representative in India for Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) says, "A first time visitor would surely be interested in enjoying the already talked about places and taking home a complete experience other than just enjoying one single theme. However, the destination is surely only for the repeat traveller."

The average stay in the region by a tourist is expected to be around four to five days at a maximum or a minimum of two nights.

Currently the state would be concentrating on 'product awareness'. Few months after conducting road shows in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, the STB is now again looking at promotional activities involving tour operators and the travel industry as a whole. This step has been taken keeping in view the rising numbers of tourists emerging from India visiting Malaysia and Singapore who need to be educated about the destination.

"Sarawak is fulfilling the huge Indian market's desire to explore various segments in travel including nature based tourism", he added while explaining how the younger lot is contributing to the increasing numbers of visitors. STB will be soon organising FAM tours to the region with tour operators who show an interest in the region and are willing to sell the destination.