SARAWAK is set to become a destination of choice for domestic and international travellers as Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) embark on a year-long partnership to promote the Land of the Hornbills as a tourist destination in 2022.
The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor and Malaysia Airlines Bhd group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May.
As part of the MoU, STB and MAG will work together to market and promote events between STB, Malaysia Airlines Bhd, Firefly, MASwings and MHholidays.
Both organisations will also collaborate on inter-organisational partnerships for Sarawak tourism activities, corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and other collaborative opportunities.
In conjunction with the event, STB also launched its Sia Sitok Sarawak Plus interstate travel campaign to give travellers the opportunity to visit Sarawak through its main tourism gateways, namely Kuching, Sibu and Miri, with Malaysia Airlines as the official airline.
“As a sign of our commitment to revitalise and re-energise Sarawak’s local tourism industry, we are pleased [to sign] the MoU with Malaysia Aviation Group,” said Sharzede.
“Malaysia Airlines will not only be Sia Sitok Sarawak Plus’ official airline, but also having MAB, Firefly, MASwings and MHholidays on board as our strategic partners on future marketing campaigns in promoting Sarawak’s tourism activities and cultural events.
“Most importantly, through this collaboration between STB and MAG, there will be an increase of connectivity into Sarawak, with more direct flights from Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur to look forward to.”
Meanwhile, MAG group CEO Captain Izham Ismail noted that over the past year, Malaysian Airlines, Firefly and MASwings have worked on improving connectivity to and within Sarawak.
“This is done through the commencement of direct flights from Penang to Kuching, and increased frequencies between Miri-Sibu-Bintulu that will provide greater mobility to the state and further reinvigorate domestic tourism in Sarawak,” he remarked.
“Together, the three airlines under MAG offer strong value propositions to the state of Sarawak – with better services, convenience and reliability.” – Jan 19, 2022
