TOURISM, Arts, Culture and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) for this year (2018) have brought in 63 business events to the State.
“Of that figure, 47 bids win and 16 bids in support,” Karim told the State Legislative Assembly during his winding up speech on Monday (November 12).
“The 63 business events translate into approximately RM 82.9 million in direct delegate expenditure to Sarawak,” he said.
This revenue, he said, returns to Sarawak, to feed downstream and upstream tourism businesses in sustaining flight demands, accommodation, event venues, food and beverage outlets and more.
“We highlight three top high profile business events namely 12th National Mandarin life Insurance and Financial Planning Summit 2019 which targeted 1,010 delegates; Congress of the International Primatological Society 2022 (targeting 1,200 delegates) and 9th Asian South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology (ASPASP) International Congress of Sport Psychology 2022 which targeted 900 delegates.
In 2018, the State has sponsored over RM4.45million for 40 conferences, Karim told the DUN.
In another notes, in line with the Redefining Global Tribes campaigns, the Business Events Tribal Meet (TriBE 2018), was held in Kuching August 24.
“TriBE 2018, gathered over 300 guests from associations’ decision makers, industry partners, the media and government officials for a series of keynote session by Business Events featuring International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Union of International Associations (UIA), International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
“TriBE 2018 launched the BESarawak Alliance, a platform to drive stronger networks with government ministries and agencies to cultivate business matching, impact growth opportunities and yield beyond the immediate economic impact,” he added.
On media coverage and awards, Karim opined, the State was featured 301 times in local, national and international press, radio , television, and 310 times digitally in 2018.
“There was a total of 611 news items with an average exposure of 61.1 features per month,” he said.
