KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is assisting tourism operators by providing funds through the Sarawak Tourism Online Ecosystem Fund programme from July 1 to Dec 31.
STB communication manager Gustino Basuan said entrepreneurs registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) could apply for the funds for website development, online services as well as creating an online presence through social media and content production.
He revealed this during the ‘Sembang Digital Norma Baru’ programme via Sarawak FM organised by SMA in collaboration with Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam Sarawak) this morning.
“Covid-19 has slowed the growth rate of the economy in the tourism sector and caused the tourist arrival target to drop to 1.4 million from 5 million originally and change the focus to domestic tourism,” added Gustino.
He also talked about the ‘Sarawak More to Discover’ project through the creation of the Sarawak Travel application which aimed to digitise the key components of the Sarawak tourism industry. This effort is the result of collaboration between STB with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak (MTAC), SMA and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
“The programme, which features five modules involving Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festival (CANFF), was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“It is expected to be fully completed by mid-2021 and involves Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). It will be easier for people to see for themselves the beauty and uniqueness of tourism places in Sarawak from various angles,” he added.
At the same time, STB is also actively promoting the “Sia Sitok Sarawak” campaign for domestic tourism.
“The package helps Sarawakians to see the beauty of the state. Before this, many did not know about the Irrawaddy Dolphin Cruise in Santubong, Fun Dive in Pulau Satang and Mulu National Park,”said STB marketing director Barbara Benjamin.
“This Sarawak Travel application is the first in Sarawak and is still new in the local tourism industry.
“This application can be downloaded in Google Playstore, and Appstore by simply pressing “Sarawak more to discover”,” said Gustino.
