SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TAKE PART IN LONDON’S FIRST VIRTUAL WORLD TRAVEL MARKET – WTM2020

Kuching, 9 November 2020 – Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) along with nine (9) local travel and tour operators will virtually take part in the the first-ever virtual World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global travel market held annually in London.

After 40 years of having a physical event, WTM London 2020 is hosting a completely virtual event from 9-11 November 2020. The event, which takes place from 7am-10pm in London will concurrently allow access from 3pm-6am Malaysia time. The virtual Sarawak stand @ WTM London is housed at the Pullman Kuching Hotel conference hall where STB and its industry partners will be present.

The main aim of WTM is to help recover, rebuild and shape the travel industry at a time when it needs it the most. The virtual event will focus on restoring and developing business connections, growing networks, branding and learning how to make a comeback.

The live business networking sessions and one-to-one meetings offers a wide range of online business opportunities, adopting the new trends and innovations that are shaping the future of travel industry around the world. STB will be putting its best efforts to highlight Sarawak as a preferred tourism destination and its initiatives in embracing the new norms of the global travel industry in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to STB CEO Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, “The pandemic will not be a hindrance on our tourism efforts. Although Sarawak could not physically be at WTM London due to current travel restrictions, we are ready to make our Sarawak Stand visible for the first time virtually. I am honoured to be with all Sarawak delegates to virtually be a part of the WTM London, where we hope to learn, share our voice and thoughts with industry peers on reviving the tourism industry and its road map to recovery.”

“Indeed, here in Sarawak, we are continuously strategising and re-strategising to prepare and ensure comprehensive tourism recovery plans, to improve and rebuild destinations, to encourage innovation, and rethink our tourism sector, as we weather the unprecedented challenges faced by this pandemic,” added Sharzede.

Joining the virtual Sarawak stand this year for the WTM 2020 are travel and tour operators from Kuching, Sibu and Miri namely Greatown Travel, Borneo Adventure, Amogha Tours and Travel, One Wayang Tours, Ecogreen Holidays, CPH Travel Agencies, Brighton Travel and Tour, Transworld Travel Services as well as Authentic Borneo Tours.

WTM is a yearly trade fair held in London bringing together travel professionals, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers to discuss business, innovation and trends in the travel industry. In 2019, about 51,000 visitors attended this 3-day industry fair with over 5,000 travel trade exhibitors from across the world, with organisers expecting thousands to join vitually this year.

About Sarawak

A kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals: is the best description for Sarawak. Sarawak comprises 27 ethnic tribes with their own unique traditions, lifestyles, music and food, while sharing their warm hospitality. Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, is endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq kms, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches; where adventures are waiting to happen.

Fondly known as the Land of the Hornbills, Sarawak’s rainforests and waters are home to many of its wildlife, from Orangutan to Proboscis monkeys, magnificent hornbills as well as rare Irrawaddy Dolphins and sea turtles. In promoting the State, some of these protected wildlife are featured in videos, films and other promotional materials. Sarawak strongly advocates responsible tourism and we advocate to ensure that these wildlife are protected and unharmed in the making of all promotional materials.

Sarawak hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year to celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.

About Sarawak Tourism Board

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is the key promoter for Sarawak. STB is a winner of the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards in 2018 and 2016 by Asia-Pacific Association of Communications Directors (APACD) and has received the ASEAN PR Excellence Award 2015 Gold Award. The Board also received the Travel Journal Awards in 2017 for ‘Best for Nature’ category at the ASEAN Tourism Forum. The Rainforest World Music Festival is a five-time Top 25 Best International Festivals recognised by Songlines world music magazine (2011 – 2015), The BrandLaureate World BestBrands Award “Destination Branding” (2019) and PATA Gold Award Marketing Travel Video winner “Why Limit Yourself” (2019).