(Vocus/PRWEB) January 08, 2011 The initiative has gained momentum following the launch of a range of all-inclusive tours known as Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawaks top tourism representatives including Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism and Heritage Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam in Singapore last October. The SIP campaign , which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Air Asia and Tiger Airways. Malaysia Airlines also introduced direct Singapore-Miri flights in October last year. Singapore with its large expatriate community had become an attractive and potential market for the tourism industry of the Land of the Hornbill. Apart from Singapore, other potential markets for the SIP are Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, in particular Shen Zhen. Sarawak has already invested RM1 million for promotions to Singapores local and expatriate market. Deputy Chief Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said, The SIP packages will be very appealing due to their flexibility in meeting the demand of different tourists and we will review them continually to ensure they stay that way. It is very surprising that not many Singaporeans have gone to Sarawak given the wealth of options it offers for a fulfilling vacation and its proximity to Singapore, perhaps in part due to the lack of advertising and promotion by Singapore travel agents. Through a well-coordinated effort via state and tourism industry affiliates we could compel a substantial number of Singapore tourists to Sarawak within a year or two. Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, the permanent secretary to Tourism and Heritage Ministry, added, “The SIP would be modified according to customers and travel agents feedback so that Sarawak continues to be a “fresh” top-of-mind and preferred tourism destination. The feedback from travel agents from both Singapore and Sarawak is crucial to us because they are the ones who sell the packages and we aim to ensure that the consumer at large will also become familiar with the varied product offerings Sarawak provides. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said, More than ever we recognize the need to look at our neighbouring countries to see how we can draw them in. In this current economic recovery stage, more tourists are looking at places near their homes. Therefore, it is very natural for us to focus on Singapore as one of the high-income economies in the region. In the past, the travel operators were made aware of Sarawak tourism product experiences such as soft adventures, culture, active outdoor, resorts and spa, but consumers were largely not exposed to them. The SIP offers creative packages and is a signal to all tourism stakeholders that Sarawak is seriously investing in a vibrant, profitable and sustainable future of the tourism industry, he continued. The SIP will run for eight months until June 2011 and consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourists. A total of 36 travel agents have been identified to be featured as fulfillment travel agents to process enquiries, bookings and payment for these integrated tour packages while nine Sarawak suppliers were involved in this initiative. One of the highlights of SIP is to provide varied and exciting experiences for tourists, including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival. Datuk Rashid added, The product experience will cut across all target groups, from soft adventurers, active sports adventurers to tourists who prefer cultural experiences. Apart from that, we are also targeting students where special packages focusing on field trips are offered although Sarawak will not promote mass tourism because of the impact on the environment and we believe in sustainability. Under our new consumer-driven strategy, we will collaborate with tourism stakeholders to bundle essential services such as transfers, accommodation, meals, tours and airfares into integrated packages, he continued. With the SIP programme , STB hopes to attract 62,000 tourist arrivals from Singapore and an estimated RM12.8 million in tourist receipts. In 2009, Sarawak recorded only 50,243 tourist arrivals from Singapore despite 9 million Singapore tourists visiting Malaysia the same year. Up to October 2010 it had already registered some 31,533 Singapore visitors. About Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) Sarawak is poised to become the next holiday destination hot-spot for Singapore tourists with the launch of its new Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) in a well-coordinated effort between the state and tourism industry partners. The campaign, which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching and Miri by various airlines. The SIP will run until June 2011 consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourist providing varied and exciting product experiences including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival. ### More Malaysia Music Tourism Press Releases Sarawak to be Destination of Choice for Singaporeans

(Vocus/PRWEB) January 08, 2011

The initiative has gained momentum following the launch of a range of all-inclusive tours known as Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawaks top tourism representatives including Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism and Heritage Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam in Singapore last October.

The SIP campaign , which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Air Asia and Tiger Airways. Malaysia Airlines also introduced direct Singapore-Miri flights in October last year.

Singapore with its large expatriate community had become an attractive and potential market for the tourism industry of the Land of the Hornbill. Apart from Singapore, other potential markets for the SIP are Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, in particular Shen Zhen. Sarawak has already invested RM1 million for promotions to Singapores local and expatriate market.

Deputy Chief Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said, The SIP packages will be very appealing due to their flexibility in meeting the demand of different tourists and we will review them continually to ensure they stay that way. It is very surprising that not many Singaporeans have gone to Sarawak given the wealth of options it offers for a fulfilling vacation and its proximity to Singapore, perhaps in part due to the lack of advertising and promotion by Singapore travel agents. Through a well-coordinated effort via state and tourism industry affiliates we could compel a substantial number of Singapore tourists to Sarawak within a year or two.

Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, the permanent secretary to Tourism and Heritage Ministry, added, “The SIP would be modified according to customers and travel agents feedback so that Sarawak continues to be a “fresh” top-of-mind and preferred tourism destination. The feedback from travel agents from both Singapore and Sarawak is crucial to us because they are the ones who sell the packages and we aim to ensure that the consumer at large will also become familiar with the varied product offerings Sarawak provides.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said, More than ever we recognize the need to look at our neighbouring countries to see how we can draw them in. In this current economic recovery stage, more tourists are looking at places near their homes. Therefore, it is very natural for us to focus on Singapore as one of the high-income economies in the region.

In the past, the travel operators were made aware of Sarawak tourism product experiences such as soft adventures, culture, active outdoor, resorts and spa, but consumers were largely not exposed to them. The SIP offers creative packages and is a signal to all tourism stakeholders that Sarawak is seriously investing in a vibrant, profitable and sustainable future of the tourism industry, he continued.

The SIP will run for eight months until June 2011 and consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourists.

A total of 36 travel agents have been identified to be featured as fulfillment travel agents to process enquiries, bookings and payment for these integrated tour packages while nine Sarawak suppliers were involved in this initiative.

One of the highlights of SIP is to provide varied and exciting experiences for tourists, including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival.

Datuk Rashid added, The product experience will cut across all target groups, from soft adventurers, active sports adventurers to tourists who prefer cultural experiences. Apart from that, we are also targeting students where special packages focusing on field trips are offered although Sarawak will not promote mass tourism because of the impact on the environment and we believe in sustainability.

Under our new consumer-driven strategy, we will collaborate with tourism stakeholders to bundle essential services such as transfers, accommodation, meals, tours and airfares into integrated packages, he continued.

With the SIP programme , STB hopes to attract 62,000 tourist arrivals from Singapore and an estimated RM12.8 million in tourist receipts. In 2009, Sarawak recorded only 50,243 tourist arrivals from Singapore despite 9 million Singapore tourists visiting Malaysia the same year. Up to October 2010 it had already registered some 31,533 Singapore visitors.

About Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP)

Sarawak is poised to become the next holiday destination hot-spot for Singapore tourists with the launch of its new Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) in a well-coordinated effort between the state and tourism industry partners. The campaign, which aims to double tourist arrivals to Sarawak will attract Singaporeans and foreigners in Singapore to Sarawak by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching and Miri by various airlines. The SIP will run until June 2011 consists of 38 different packages ranging from daily tour to six-day-five-night package to cater to the needs of different groups of tourist providing varied and exciting product experiences including festivals such as the Rainforest World Musical Festival, Miri Jazz Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival.

###

More Malaysia Music Tourism Press Releases

Sarawak to be Destination of Choice for Singaporeans

(Vocus/PRWEB) February 09, 2011 The recently launched Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawak tourism has more enticing promotions to offer Singapore tourists since its introduction last October and will run till June 2011. Consisting of compelling new packages to cater to the diverse needs of tourists it has been well-received by operators and visitors alike, enhancing the level of interest and awareness within the Singapore tourism trade and aims to double tourist arrivals from Singapore to Sarawak. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer Dato Rashid Khan said: The SIP has even more exciting programs and promotions install for Singapore tourists as we participate in the NATAS Travel fair next month. New initiatives to elevate our standing with the international community have also been planned, including the Internship and Volunteers Program whereby STB as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, will collaborate with the academia in an industry advisory capacity to enhance the quality of graduates with skills that are relevant to the needs of the industry. Travelers will be overwhelmed by the tempting holiday packages on offer at the NATAS Fair. For example, travelers could choose from a leisure-laden 3D2N Destinaku Kuching Showcase for only SGD200 to the 5D4N Borneo Explorer for the more adventurous at only SGD595 per pax with numerous other attractive promotions by participating travel agents at the fair. The SIP momentum further intensifies with the upcoming Borneo Jazz Festival, Rainforest World Musical Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival enticing visitors with a blend of varied art forms music, dance, crafts and artwork from across the world. The Borneo Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Miri International Jazz Festival) has been extended to a four-day event running from May 12th to 15th at the Parkcity Everly Hotel. STB aims to attract 10,500 visitors to the festival with 60 per cent expected to be foreigners. Performances by artistes from various countries will spice up the festival featuring a wide range from the genre. Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur from the United States will headline the festival. Other performers include Cunha & Piper (Brazil), Les Doigts De LHomme (France), SIU2 (China), State of Monc (Holland), Victor Yong and the Electric Carniva (Malaysia/Canada), Yuichiro Tokudas RALLYZZ DIG (Japan) and Dhruv (India). Bringing together world-renowned musicians and indigenous musicians from the far-reaches of the island of Borneo on one stage is the Rainforest World Music Festival. The hotly-anticipated event will feature informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts throughout the three-day festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village from July 8th -10th. The SIP campaign continues to attract Singaporeans and foreigners by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir, AirAsia and Tiger Airways with a joint-collaboration with SilkAir will see further options for flights to Sarawak in the first quarter of 2011. The multi-racial society in Sarawak has culture and food we cant experience in other parts of Malaysia. The structure of the houses here are really beautiful and the people here are very friendly. Sarawak truly captures the adventure and spirit of Asia and well return for a second visit for sure, said Michelle Rondilla, a recent SIP visitor to Sarawak from Singapore. Sarawak Tourism Board will be participating in NATAS Travel 2011, the largest travel fair in Singapore scheduled for 25 27 February, 2011. An estimated 75,000 visitors will visit the fair this year. Come by and discover the splendour of Sarawak at Booth No 4H58, Hall 4, Singapore Expo. Issued on behalf of TBWA\TEQUILA Malaysia. For media enquiries, please contact Eric Lim at 03-2080 8318 or eric.lim(at)tbwamy(dot)com ### Integrated Packages Ups The Tempo for Sarawak Tourism at Natas Travel Fair 2011

(Vocus/PRWEB) February 09, 2011

The recently launched Sarawak Integrated Packages (SIP) by Sarawak tourism has more enticing promotions to offer Singapore tourists since its introduction last October and will run till June 2011. Consisting of compelling new packages to cater to the diverse needs of tourists it has been well-received by operators and visitors alike, enhancing the level of interest and awareness within the Singapore tourism trade and aims to double tourist arrivals from Singapore to Sarawak.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer Dato Rashid Khan said: The SIP has even more exciting programs and promotions install for Singapore tourists as we participate in the NATAS Travel fair next month. New initiatives to elevate our standing with the international community have also been planned, including the Internship and Volunteers Program whereby STB as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, will collaborate with the academia in an industry advisory capacity to enhance the quality of graduates with skills that are relevant to the needs of the industry.

Travelers will be overwhelmed by the tempting holiday packages on offer at the NATAS Fair. For example, travelers could choose from a leisure-laden 3D2N Destinaku Kuching Showcase for only SGD200 to the 5D4N Borneo Explorer for the more adventurous at only SGD595 per pax with numerous other attractive promotions by participating travel agents at the fair.

The SIP momentum further intensifies with the upcoming Borneo Jazz Festival, Rainforest World Musical Festival and Borneo Cultural Festival enticing visitors with a blend of varied art forms music, dance, crafts and artwork from across the world.

The Borneo Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Miri International Jazz Festival) has been extended to a four-day event running from May 12th to 15th at the Parkcity Everly Hotel. STB aims to attract 10,500 visitors to the festival with 60 per cent expected to be foreigners.

Performances by artistes from various countries will spice up the festival featuring a wide range from the genre. Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur from the United States will headline the festival. Other performers include Cunha & Piper (Brazil), Les Doigts De LHomme (France), SIU2 (China), State of Monc (Holland), Victor Yong and the Electric Carniva (Malaysia/Canada), Yuichiro Tokudas RALLYZZ DIG (Japan) and Dhruv (India).

Bringing together world-renowned musicians and indigenous musicians from the far-reaches of the island of Borneo on one stage is the Rainforest World Music Festival. The hotly-anticipated event will feature informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts throughout the three-day festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village from July 8th -10th.

The SIP campaign continues to attract Singaporeans and foreigners by way of improved air connectivity with direct flights to Kuching operated by Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir, AirAsia and Tiger Airways with a joint-collaboration with SilkAir will see further options for flights to Sarawak in the first quarter of 2011.

The multi-racial society in Sarawak has culture and food we cant experience in other parts of Malaysia. The structure of the houses here are really beautiful and the people here are very friendly. Sarawak truly captures the adventure and spirit of Asia and well return for a second visit for sure, said Michelle Rondilla, a recent SIP visitor to Sarawak from Singapore.

Sarawak Tourism Board will be participating in NATAS Travel 2011, the largest travel fair in Singapore scheduled for 25 27 February, 2011. An estimated 75,000 visitors will visit the fair this year. Come by and discover the splendour of Sarawak at Booth No 4H58, Hall 4, Singapore Expo.

Issued on behalf of TBWA\TEQUILA Malaysia. For media enquiries, please contact Eric Lim at 03-2080 8318 or eric.lim(at)tbwamy(dot)com

###

Integrated Packages Ups The Tempo for Sarawak Tourism at Natas Travel Fair 2011