By Sarah Hafizah Chandra & Alverdtekoster Anyap
BAU: The Miss Tourism International World Final 2022/2023 pageant is an opportunity for Bau to showcase its unique hidden gems to the world.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman said 60 nations are taking part in the pageant.
The beauty contestants will be helping to promote Sarawak through their social media platforms and fans.
“Through this event, people from foreign countries will get to know about the existence of Lundu, Bau and Sarawak as a whole from these contestants.
“Even though their visit in Bau is for a short period, I believe it would have a huge impact on this town,” he said during the Miss Tourism International World Final 2022/2023 press conference at Tasik Biru Food Village here yesterday (Sept 22).
Abdul Karim said the contestants are ambassadors in their respective countries with fans following their progresses on social media and other platforms.
Photo or video posting while the contestants are in Bau or Lundu will indirectly help to promote these locations, he said.
He said his ministry welcomes events and programmes like the beauty pageant to Sarawak as it boosts the tourism industry.
“Of course, anything that helps to elevate Sarawak in the eyes of the world is very much welcome by my ministry,” he said.
On the selection of Bau as one of the beauty pageant’s destinations, he said it is indeed an honour for the district.
He expressed appreciation to the leaders in Bau, including Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, for their cooperation and support.
“Bau is fortunate to have visionary leaders who work together for developments and betterment of the local community.
“It has a lot of uniqueness to offer and these need to be fully utilised. I am confident that Bau can become one of the main destinations for Sarawak tourism in the future,” he added.
