KABONG: Kabong International Kite Festival (KKF) 2018 held for the second time here last weekend recorded a total of 23,400 visitors.
Kabong State Assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir said it was a starting point for developing Kabong district tourism product at the domestic and international levels.
“Tanjung Kembang Kabong Beach is a high-potential tourism asset for the district and state that needs to be developed as a tourism product and the hosting of this International Kite Festival can also be used to highlight Kabong’s culture and customs,” Chee Kadir said in his speech when officiating at the event held at Tanjung Kembang Kabong Beach last Sunday.
Chee Kadir added that the festival has successfully attracted participations from 10 countries and has put Kabong’s name in the organising of traditional game to the global market.
“This festival will be held as the main attraction of domestic and foreign tourists to visit Kabong. It will become a prestigious event similar to the Bintulu Kite Festival,” he said and hoped that the festival would be included in Sarawak’s tourism calendar.
“The festival has managed to showcase a different side compared to other kite festivals by showing a multi-racial society and involving participants from outside this district which is now seen as an art gathering event that combines performances, contests, exhibitions and workshops,” he pointed out.
Chee Kadir also said one of the best ways to promote the festival was through the use of information technology (IT).
“Nowadays various methods can be used to promote tourism events and products, which are important to prepare dates so they can be promoted more easily,” he said.
He said the tourism sector also contributed to the state’s revenue, making it the second most important sector after the manufacturing sector.
“Hence, we strongly support efforts to expand the state’s tourism potential, including organising events such as the International Kite Festival in Kabong,” he said.
The Kabong International Kite Festival 2018 was officiated at by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg.
Also present were Member of Parliament for Saratok Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Betong Maro Assemblyman, Razaili Gapor, Betong Resident Friday Belik, Kabong District Officer Kamaluddin Haji Alkap and President of Malaysian Kite Flyers Council (MPM), Abdul Rahim Nin.
