‘Sarawak prefers quality tourism’, says Premier Abang Johari

Seated front row, from left: Dr Hazland, Abdullah, Len Talif, Abang Johari, Dr Sim, Henry, and Hamden photographed with participants at the International Seminar on Aspiring Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark held at Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching on Oct 7, 2024. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 7: Sarawak aims to enhance its tourism sector by focusing on quality tourism, with the objective of safeguarding its abundant natural heritage and environment.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that unlike other countries that prefer mass tourism, Sarawak wants to depend on knowledge-based tourism, where this particular group of tourists tends to have a culture of preserving what they see.

He cited Sarawak’s marine areas, such as Pulau Talang-Talang and Pulau Satang, which the Sarawak government is very protective of, due to the risk of visitors endangering the marine species, including the natural reefs, which could create an imbalance between the landscape as well as the surroundings and coastal areas.

“In other words, we want to make sure that the tourists do not disturb the natural reefs.

“Generally, the trawlers are the culprits, so much so that the Sarawak government has spent RM70 million to create an artificial reef in order to enrich the marine resources while at the same time preventing trawlers from disturbing our marine life.

“Additionally, only the quality tourists can appreciate nature, and that is the type of tourists we are promoting. I’m not discounting the other tourists, but what I’m saying is that quality tourists appreciate nature more,” he said when officiating at the International Seminar on Aspiring Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark held at Riverside Majestic Hotel today.

Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep; Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi; and Sarawak Director of Forests Datu Hamden Mohamad. — DayakDaily