Sarawak wants more international direct flights in 2018

MIRI: Sarawak is aggressively seeking an opportunity with AirAsia for more international direct flights to further boost the state's tourism industry in 2018.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (pix) said 2017 has recorded great improvement in term of air connectivity especially international direct flights with Kuching recently being connected to Shenzhen, China and Bintulu to Singapore by Airasia.
"We are also currently working with AirAsia to explore more opportunities to open up routes especially to north Asia and the region," he said when launching Visit Miri Year 2018 (VMY2018) tonight.
His text of the speech was read by State Tourism, Art and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Abang Johari said Miri had a fair share of international direct flights with last month Indonesia based Xpress Air inaugural direct flights from Pontianak to Miri.
"The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is working with Royal Brunei Airlines to position Miri and Mulu as a must stop destination for stopover passengers particularly on the Melbourne-London route."
He said STB has taken the first step last month to fly in agents from Melbourne for a familiarisation trip to Miri City and Mulu to enable them to become familiar with local products in Miri City and Mulu.
Miri has the most number of national parks such as Piasau Nature Reserve, Lambir Hills, Niah, Loagan Bunut, Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef, Usun Apau and Unesco Heritage site Mulu.
Meanwhile, Miri City Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang said the city has the Grand Old Lady, the country's first oil well and one of the oldest such structure in the region, and the Petronas Museum located at Canada Hill.
"We have the Miri Handicraft Centre, Tamu Muhibbah which sells exotic fruits and vegetables, Taman Selera a popular seafood centre, Marina seahorse lighthouse, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sikh Temple, and the Crocodile Farm."
Miri City Council (MCC) tourism development committee chairman Ernest Khiok Seng Goh in the same function said 30 events have been line up to be held in Miri City in 2018 such as Pasar Gong Xi Fa Cai, Colour Rush Run, Sarawak Native Festival, International Conference on Sustainable Building Asia and South East Asia Poet Convention. — Bernama