Local tour operators advised to link with foreign operators

Local tour operators should establish links with foreign tour wholesalers if they want to expand their businesses, said Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

To do that, he said, they must build their creditability and capabilities to handle tours in a big way.

They must also have the abilities to organise charter flights to bring in the tourists, Taib added when opening a tourism entrepreneurs’ development seminar at Holiday Inn Hotel here on Thursday.

The event was organised by Sarawak state Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and the newly formed Sarawak Bumiputra Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

Taib said the Land of the Hornbills now received more than three million foreign visitors a year.

“We have the highest percentage of repeated visitors in Sarawak. Most tourists said they wanted to come back because the people here are so nice, friendly and sincere.

"These are our assets. We have to preserve our friendliness and politness.”

Taib said Sarawak offered tourism products which were different from other states, and that its unique attractions included the lush forests, caves and rivers besides the diversed cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups.

“You(tour guides) must tell visitors of the history and backgrounds of the various tourist attractions, like this building was the palace of the White Rajahs,” he added.

Source : STAR
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