Use Unesco’s global recognitions to spur tourism growth, says Lee

MIRI (July 28): Miri is expected to experience a tourism boom following the recent recognition of Niah Caves as Unesco World Heritage Site, said state Transport Mininster Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

With this recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), he said Sarawak contributes two out of Malaysia’s five Unesco World Heritage Sites, namely Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves.

“Of the five Unesco World Heritage Sites in Malaysia, two are here in Miri,” said the Senadin assemblyman.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Miri International Tattoo Festival at Imperial Hotel here today, Lee related how the highest level of global recognition could be optimised to increase international tourist arrivals.

“Just like the Rainforest World Music Festivals that attracts thousands of musicians and enthusiasts worldwide, the Miri International Tattoo Festival also can bring in its own fans,” he said.

“This festival has a massive potential to become another tourism product for Miri, to which some enthusiasts are willing to travel far just to get the tattoo designs from our local tattoo artists.”

The three-day festival here had gathered tattoo artists from 14 countries including Malaysia.

Present were event organising chairman Sylvester Juli, Gabungan Orang Asal Sarawak/Sabah (GOASS) founder Peter John, and Dayak Association Miri chairman Penghulu Wilfred Mac.