Ministry Welcomes Plans to Increase Direct Flights from China to Sarawak
Boosting Tourism Through Improved Connectivity
KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) has expressed enthusiastic support for plans to increase direct flights from China to Sarawak. This initiative is seen as a vital step in attracting more tourists and visitors to the region.
Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasized the importance of this development, noting the current challenges faced by Sarawak in terms of flight connectivity.
“We definitely welcome good planning to attract more tourists to Sarawak, especially with direct flights because our problem in Sarawak is flight connectivity,” said Abdul Karim.
Strategic Plans for Enhanced Travel
He added that if the federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, could facilitate direct flights from China to key cities like Kuching, Bintulu, and Sibu, it would be highly beneficial, provided the implementation is orderly.
Abdul Karim made these remarks during a press conference following the closing ceremony of the Suntong Festival at the Bako National Park Passenger Terminal on Wednesday, June 5.
Upgrading Sarawak’s Airports
In a related update, Abdul Karim highlighted ongoing efforts by the Sarawak government to upgrade all international airports in Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.
“With great flight connectivity from China and other countries, we cannot be left behind,” he remarked. He also mentioned the strategic importance of Sarawak having its own airline, which would not only serve domestic routes and Peninsular Malaysia but also regional destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, and Indonesia.
Visa Exemptions to Facilitate Tourism
Addressing visa regulations, Abdul Karim pointed out that Malaysia, including Sarawak, has implemented visa exemptions for Chinese tourists. This move is part of a broader strategy to promote tourism from various regions, including Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Korea, and Thailand.
Future Flight Plans
For the record, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced that plans are in progress to establish direct flights to Sarawak from several Chinese cities. Currently, a direct flight from Yunnan to Kuching is scheduled to commence, and another route from Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, to Sibu is in the final study stage by Xiamen Airlines.