NEW SARAWAK PACKAGES OPEN EXCITING DOORS FOR SINGAPOREANS

The Sarawak Tourism Board is eagerly anticipating an influx of Singaporean tourists to the state following the launch of the Sarawak Integrated Packages in the republic today. With the introduction of these packages, Sarawak is now more accessible than ever before, offering a wealth of exciting activities and attractions for visitors to explore. From its lush rainforests and stunning beaches to its vibrant culture and rich history, Sarawak is the perfect destination for a memorable holiday.

The Minister with Singapore Agents

Today, Sarawak's Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, unveiled a series of exciting packages at the Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel (Marina Square). The event was attended by Sarawak Tourism Board's Chief Executive Officer, Dato Rashid Khan, as well as senior management from Singapore-based Malaysia Airlines.

The Sarawak Tourism Board has launched an innovative campaign to drive tourist arrivals to this East Malaysian state. Through a consumer-driven tactical campaign, the Board is creating awareness and encouraging action. These creative packages are designed to demonstrate the State's commitment to investing in a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable tourism industry.

The Board has partnered with local tourism suppliers who have contracts with Singaporean travel agents. As a result, 36 travel agents have been identified to fulfill enquiries, bookings, and payments for these integrated tour packages. Nine Sarawak suppliers are involved in this initiative.

Sarawak - Where Adventure Lives

In the past, tourism promotion efforts have focused on travel trade-directed promotion, providing a foundation for the travel industry in Singapore to be exposed to the product experiences and dimensions of what Sarawak has to offer. While travel trade professionals are aware of these product offerings, the general public is not familiar with the product experiences such as soft adventures, cosmopolitan culture, active outdoor activities, resorts, and spas. This is due to the lack of advertising and promotional campaigns being carried out by Singaporean travel agents. Understandably, the travel industry will not invest in such costly campaigns and will only allocate resources to destinations that will contribute positively to their profit and loss statements.

The consumer-driven strategy will be executed through collaboration with tourism stakeholders in both Singapore and Sarawak. The ultimate product experiences will be bundled into packages that include transfers, accommodations, meals, tours, and airfares. These bundled packages will be advertised to consumers through a print and digital media campaign, running for a period of eight months (October 2010 - June 2011). The names of the participating Singaporean travel agents and their contact information will be featured in the advertisement materials.

Retreat Packages

The eight-month campaign was designed to incorporate the pre-launch, which was held in various cities and towns in Sarawak, followed by a grand launch event in Singapore, where participating travel agents and suppliers were invited. The mini Travel Mart was featured as a side event at the launch venue, and a breakfast engagement with selected travel agents was also held.

In addition to the print and digital media campaign, a familiarization trip for the media and travel industry was organized in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines on its SIN/MYY inaugural flight, scheduled for October 30th, 2010.

The goals of this campaign were to encourage more Singapore-based airlines to operate into Sarawak, a vibrant state rich in culture, nature, and tremendous business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. It was also intended to signal that the State was serious about playing its role in facilitating the growth of the tourism industry. The outcome and deliverables of this initiative were expected to achieve 47,788% of tourist arrivals with 99.9% tourism receipts.

Sarawak Tourism Board will also continue to engage the travel industry players in Singapore through its Roadshow program, planned for January 2011. Consumer Fairs will be reinforced with the Board’s planned participation at the NATAS Travel Fair in February of the same year.

Borneo Explorer Package

This investment initiative is part of Sarawak's Tourism Transformation Plan, which focuses on market development programs for key markets, with Singapore being one of the most important. It is essential to continue developing this market in order to increase tourism arrivals and receipts.

Among the offers by Sarawak Integrated Packages itinerary are the chance to stay at the luxurious Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort and experience an Ethnic Longhouse Safari. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the daily lives of the natives, sample local dishes, and be immersed in the traditional dances and music of the area.

The itineraries also include a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park, where visitors can explore the wonders of the world's largest cave, the world's longest canopy skywalk, or the archeological site found in Niah National Park. Additionally, there are Retreat Packages available for those looking for a more leisurely experience.


Courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board