Kuching, 23 August 2017 – Sarawak, through business events, is expected to secure RM 767 million in economic impact by 2020, with over RM504 million already injected into the state’s economy through the hosting of close to 700 national, regional and international meetings since 2006.
According to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB), Amelia Roziman, the bureau was confident that it can achieve the target as it has already secured 45 international and regional conferences that will take place in Sarawak in the next three years. Amelia said this after the official launch of ‘Redefining Global Tribes’ which is Sarawak’s largest ever destination campaign, aimed at drawing in international as well as local organizations and associations to host meetings and conferences in the Land of the Hornbills.
One key factor that will boost Sarawak’s position as a key destination for business events is air connectivity. However, the good news is, the state government is currently in talks with key airline industry players from China, Indonesia and Thailand to bring in more direct flights into the state capital, Kuching. The move would significantly boost the state’s business events industry. “We are currently working on the area of air connectivity. I am optimistic that within a year, we will have many more flights into Sarawak,” said Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who officiated the campaign.
Meanwhile, according to the Chairman of SCB, Datuk Sri Dr Mohd Leo Toyad Abdullah, ‘Redefining Global Tribes’ campaign is where convention ambassadors, industry members and media from all over the world gather as ‘one global tribe.’
“Redefining Global Tribes is Sarawak’s boldest campaign till date and the end goal of this campaign is to increase business events’ impact on the economy; to do so we need to create a stronger global identity by imprinting Sarawak’s cultural values of community, unity and identity upon the business events sector internationally. Our highlight was when Kuching won the bid to host the prestigious ICCA congress last year,” he said.
In 2016, Kuching hosted the 55th ICCA Congress, themed “Gathering of the Global Tribes.” The ICCA represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events, and comprises over 1,000 member companies and organisations in almost 100 countries worldwide.
“It was a real honour for Sarawak to be among the few Asian 2nd tier destinations to host the 55th ICCA Congress. The sequel campaign of ‘Redefining Global Tribes’ not only pays tribute to that achievement in 2016, but is also a strong reminder that amazing feats can be achieved when communities unite,” added Amelia when welcoming 100 senior members of national and international associations, academia, corporates, and media at the launch of the inaugural FAM trip for Redefining Global Tribes campaign.
The FAM trip, which stands for familiarization, was designed to expose delegates and members of the media to Sarawak’s unique attractions and exoticism, as well as its world class facilities slated for meetings, conferences and exhibitions.
The FAM trip organized by SCB closed with the Tribal Warrior Challenge; an obstacle course which oversaw the participation of 100 VIP guests in the 3km Bizst Mode category. The challenge is a physical celebration of the campaign’s underlying principles of unity, community and identity; highlighting teamwork and collaboration as participants help each other across highly erected walls and man made structures – in their bid to be crowned Tribal Warrior Champion.
Amelia Roziman announced that since 2006, conferences held in the country’s largest state have generated over half a billion ringgit towards Sarawak’s economy.
