Miri tourism stakeholders call for comprehensive overhaul and development initiatives

KUCHING: Tourism-related industry players are calling for an overhaul of Miri tourism landscape, including refurbishing and upgrading neglected tourist spots in the city promptly.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sarawak Chapter chairman John Teo said many of the existing tourist attractions, such as the Grand Old Lady site and the Petroleum Museum, which opened for the public since 2005, are in dire need of upgrades.

He said urgent calls were made for assistance from Shell and Petronas to modernise the museum’s displays akin to the impressive displays seen at the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching.

Additionally, he said, the Miri City Fan, notably its non-functional water fountain, needs to be resolved.
“Public and visitors are requesting and expressing their desire for the reopening of Taman Awam Bridge and its playground, which is another potential attraction,” he said, adding that these were among the issues been raised during a tourism transformation workshop held in Miri with all tourism related industries players as well as all Miri councillors recently.

Teo said discussions also revolved around rejuvenating the Lambir Hills National Park, proposing the development of a rainforest resort, refurbishing trails, and installing more visitor-friendly signages.

While Miri boasts various sporting facilities, he said, many remain underutilised, such as the Miri Go Kart Track, Swimming Pool, and Miri Motor Race Track.

He said there were also proposals to transform an old Petronas-owned oil rig, Siwa, into a ground-breaking five-rig resort, potentially becoming Sarawak’s pioneer project of its kind, mirroring the Seaventure Dive Rig Resort in Mabul, Sabah.

“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has also mentioned that Miri has the potential of becoming the next budding gastronomy destination, akin to Kuching. Thus, it is high time for us to transform the tourism landscape in Miri.

“Furthermore, Miri stands as a vital transit city for tourists en route to Mulu and Niah caves, which can attract many local and international tourists,” he added.

Teo said that other ambitious plans included transforming Miri as an entertainment hub modeled after the Resort World Genting, envisioned to offer accommodations, theme parks, diverse dining options, catering to both adults and children.

He added that the idea of making the Miri River Mouth area as a picturesque low-density resort zone with waterfront cafes and eateries was put forward, aiming to transform the locale into the “Venice of the East.”

Amidst these proposals and ideas, he said, there is a need to establish a tourism development authority for Miri, a body to streamline project planning and execution, fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders while attracting vital investments to bolster Miri’s reputation among tourists.

“The unveiled proposals stand as a roadmap for the transformation and revitalisation of Miri’s tourism sector, representing a unified effort to unlock its full potential while addressing developmental gaps.

“The envisioned initiatives, if realised, are poised to position Miri as a thriving and sought-after destination, necessitating collaborative efforts and strategic investments to materialise its promising tourism future,” he said.