TTG – Sponsored features – Adventures, orangutans and cultural experiences: how to sell Sarawak
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Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia and home to an array of incredible adventures and experiences. Discover which clients will love the destination, the activities available and the natural wonders they should see.
The Pinnacles at Mulu National Park
Get the inside scoop on this enchanting destination in our Q&A with the Sarawak Tourism Board’s minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts, Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.Â
Sarawak Tourism Board’s minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts, Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Why should travel agents in the UK and Ireland be recommending Sarawak over other Malaysian destinations?
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia and boasts abundant offerings when it comes to culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals. Sarawak is also home to two Unesco World Heritage Site (Mulu National Park and Niah National Park), and 34 ethnicities, each with their own unique culture, food and festivals.
Thinking about the typical British or Irish traveller destined to fall in love with Sarawak, what will their interests be?
Sarawak is the ideal destination for travellers interested in unique flora and fauna and culture, adventure and nature.
The Three Sisters Waterfall
Tell us about Sarawak’s outdoor adventures… What activities are on offer for these adventurous types?
Sarawak is home to 67 total protected areas with 47 national parks, 15 nature reserves and five wildlife sanctuaries. Out of the 67 total protected areas, only 22 are open to public. These national parks feature their own various outdoor activities and adventures including waterfall systems, natural karst and caves formation, flora and fauna.
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Other activities include kayaking, hiking and diving.Â
What are Sarawak’s natural wonders and what makes them so unique?
Sarawak is in Borneo, the third largest island in the world, and is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world, housing flora and fauna that are endemic to Borneo. This includes orangutans, the rafflesia plant and large varieties of hornbills, among others.
Sarawak’s rainforests are home to orangutans
Are there plenty of options for culture lovers too? What activities will really immerse visitors in Sarawak’s culture?
Sarawak is home to 34 different ethnicities each with their own unique culture, food and festivals. The Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum that exposes visitors to the different ethnicities in Sarawak along with their way of life and customs.Â
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The Borneo Cultures Museum is the largest museum in Malaysia and second largest in south-east Asia and it is located in downtown Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.
A Bidayuh couple in traditional clothing
What is the Sarawak Tourism Board doing to encourage responsible travel?
Responsible tourism is engrained in everything related to Sarawak tourism and its products. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)Â advocates responsible tourism by implementing various initiatives which focus on five Sustainable Development Goals as pillars:
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1)Â Â Â Quality education
2)Â Â Â Sustainable cities and communities
3)Â Â Â Responsible consumption and productionÂ
4)Â Â Â Climate action
5)Â Â Â Partnership for goals
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STB has taken various steps to create a sustainable tourism industry since 2011. Our tourism players adapt eco-friendly practices in their tourism products, such as encouraging bicycle-rides in rural areas or enjoy bird-watching in Sarawak’s lush rainforests. We promote homestays, encourage consumption of local food, and highlight local handicrafts and arts.
Niah Gan Kira, or the Moon Cave, in Sarawak
Such community-based tourism can be found in areas such as Nanga Sumpa in Batang Ai, where travellers can gain an insight into the lifestyle of the various tribes of Sarawak who have lived in the remote areas for generations. These efforts can generate economy for its residents, especially those from lower-income groups.
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Sarawak’s biggest and renowned orangutan rehabilitation centre, Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre which is only 20km from Kuching City, is a sanctuary for the conservation of the orangutans in their natural habitat.
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Find out more from the Sarawak Tourism Board on stand N9-420 at WTM London 5-7 November 2024.
Further information:Â Â
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