KUCHING: The acquisition of MASwings shares by Sarawak marks a significant step to facilitate better connectivity between states, said Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar, the director-general of Tourism Malaysia.
He said this would enhance accessibility to Sarawak and control airfare prices following the expansion of flight options through collaborative efforts amongst stakeholders.
“We are confident that this move will lead to more competitive airfares, making Sarawak a preferred destination for visitors.
“Simultaneously, we hope these benefits will strengthen tourism ties between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“With this, we aim to dispel comparisons between tourism in Sarawak and cheaper destinations like Bali or Phuket,” he said during the launch of the Cuti-cuti Malaysia Lan Berambeh at Plaza Merdeka on Saturday (October 29).
Ammar highlighted that this approach could counter the common perception that traveling to Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia is more expensive compared to vacationing in Bali or Phuket.
Additionally, he said the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sarawak Government, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), and Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd played a crucial role in the acquisition of MASwings.
He stated that this collaboration is a concerted effort to address issues regarding accessibility in terms of affordability and destination options.
“We anticipate greater accessibility as flights are not limited to Borneo but extend beyond the region. This signifies a positive development in enhancing access to Sarawak.
“We are optimistic that this endeavour will succeed, ultimately attracting more visitors to Sarawak,” he added.
