Tourism industry has no boundaries……

Tourism industry is such a universal industry. It is not confined to enjoy the Culture, Nature and Adventure tourism only. All travelers have their own purpose, sometime there are two or three or more purpose of visit combined into one. As all people know that Sibu and Central Region do not have tourism products like Kuching and Miri BUT from tourism point of view, Sibu and surrounding area have other tourism products that can be offered to domestic and international tourist.

Sibu, A City in The Making is getting more and more “energy” to be vibrant and happening town in Central Region. After the launching of Visit Sibu Year 2009, almost every weekend there is event organize by local events organizer. We thanks to the main organizer of Sarawak Cub Prix 2009 Sibu Series and Bukit Aup Jubli Park Run for making this event happened in Sibu.

Events organizers add additional parts inside the tourism industry mechanical structure. They should organize more events to attract more people to visit Sibu and other part of Central Region Sarawak. They should getting support from the relevant authority to start the ball rolling. On the other hand they must have long term plan where they should stand by its own in the near future so that they can continuously organize the same event with new ideas.

Visit Sibu Year 2009

Another effort by the local authority to further develop the tourism industry in Sibu is by introduction of Visit Sibu Year 2009. Lots of people talking about why is too late or rather quite to start with Visit Sibu Year 2009. To me this doesn’t make any different because anything new, there would be some weakness but the most important here is awareness about what is happening in Sibu every month. All this event actually have encourage domestic tourism and at the same time to create more business opportunity to the local community.

I believe the alignment of promotion strategy is very important to attract the attention of tourism players outside Sibu, by attending one of the events in Sibu they also can visit some of the places of interest in Sibu. The main highlight of the event in this calendar would be the launching of RV Orient Pandaw Cruise, BCF and Opening of Yu Lon San Tien En Si Sibu Cultural Festival.

Tour guide play important role in tourism industry

Tourist guide is playing very important role in tourism industry. They are “tourism ambassador” because of their role as frontline group in the industry. Tourist guide are the first person meeting with tourist at the entry point, eg. airport, bus terminal or express boat wharf. As professional tourist guide, they have to put themselves at the tourist shoes because by doing that it will be easier for them to understand what the tourist want.

For record, currently Central Region (Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah and Kapit) only have 2 licensed city guides. That’s mean the authority have to look into this matter seriously if they want to have good tourism image.

Central Region of Sarawak has plenty eco-tourism products that can be develop as tourism products. Eco tourism product is widely promoted all over the world including in Malaysia. If Kuching is famous with its resort in Santubong Peninsular and Miri is famous with its World Heritage Site Mulu National Park. For Sibu and Central Region also have its own landmark. The Mighty Rajang River is yet to be explored, waterfalls and traditional longhouses also have potential to be develop. With good and proactive tourist guide, all this products can be develop and promoted as prime tourism products in the country.

Recently the authority have organize Localised Nature Guides course for 14 participants from Sibu and Sarikei. All of them have grade with flying colours and with this result, they should be available to serve for the travel agent in the central region.

14 participants of Localised Nature Guide course successfully complete the course in Sebangkoi Country Height, Sarikei.

International Cruise coming to Sibu Sarawak Borneo

Irrawaddy Fortilla Company, the first foreign cruise company is going to explore the longest river in Malaysia, The Mighty Rejang River, Sarawak. They have confident to expand their cruise business to Sarawak and they want to be the pioneer in this line. They have six cruise operating in Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Sarawak, Borneo. The RV Orient Pandaw is brand new five star ship launch in Saigon in September 2008 in traditional colonial-style unique to all Pandaw ships. It’s ready to try the “wave” of the mighty rejang river.

The RV Orient Pandaw: Expedition Cruises on the Rajang River package was officially launched by YB Datuk Michael Manyin, Minister for Urban Development and Tourism at Destination Travel Expo in London February this year at Malaysia Booth. Destination Travel Expo is the largest travel consumer expo in the UK held annually in February at the Earl Court Exhibition Centre. Mr Paul Strachan, Managing director of The Irrawaddy Fortilla Company also present.

On April 25, 2009 the seamaster and 5 crews from Sibu have flew in to Mytho, Vietnam and depart back to Sibu Sarawak on 29 May 2009 afternoon, they safely arrive at Sibu wharf on 10.30 am at May 2, 2009. The Minister of Environment and Public Health, YB Dato Sri Wong Soon and Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia, YB Datuk Robert Lau is among the first VIP’s did their inspection on RV Orient Pandaw River Cruise on the same day.

RV Orient Pandaw will do it!!! Thumbs up lead by YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh when he visit the cruise at Burung Apu Wharf, Sibu recently

BIAN-SIT with new taste

Bian sit belacan.......sound familiar!!!! Sure you never heard about it. This menu is tailor made for me first before I introduce it to my friends. Lots of my friends give good comments after they eat it. Thats mean it can be promoted as one of the signature dish in Sibu.......especially to the Belacan lover.....

KAMPUA ala Chinese and local

Have you heard about Sibu signature dish....KAMPUA? I believed you did. How about Kampua Belacan? I am sure you never try or heard about this new menu. One day I just sit at coffee shop near to my office but I don't know what to eat. A friend of mine introduce to me new menu of Kampua......he call it as Kampua Belacan with chilli. After I tried to eat it, I fall in Love with this cooking style. Then I keep introduce it to my friends. They like it too. Traditional Kampua with local taste.......Kosong is RM1.50 and with meat you have to pay RM2.

Rainforest World Music Festival 2008

This year is the 11 year RWMF been listed in the world tourism music calender. This event was organised for 3 night from 11-13 July 2008 at Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak, Malaysia. There are more than 24,000 audience turn up to enjoy this festival.