KUCHING, April 13 (Bernama) -- Sarawak wants MASwings to fly an additional
route on the Kuching-Pontianak-Yogyakarta sector to increase connectivity
between the two destinations in the spirit of BIMP-EAGA, state Tourism and
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said today.
He made the proposal at the three-day Sarawak Yogyakarta East Asia Tourism
Forum {EATOF} Business Collaboration Forum in Yogyakarta, which began on
Wednesday, in which Malaysia was represented by Sarawak and Indonesia by
Yogyakarta.
The synergy between Yogyakarta and Sarawak could tap bigger markets like
China, Korea and Japan who are also members of EATOF, he said in a statement
issued by his ministry here.
Abang Johari, who led a delegation of various industries under his
ministry''s initiative, also highlighted on the idea of integrating the tourism
attractions in the two places, including joint-packages combining UNESCO world
heritage sites in Yogyakarta, the Boranudur, and Sarawak Mulu Cave.
The mission would be made possible with airline linking
Yogyakarta-Pontianak-Kuching through Batavia Air at present, he said.
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SARAWAK/YOGYAKARTA-TOURISM 2 (LAST) KUCHING
In an audience with the Vice-Governor of Yogyakarta, Pakualam the IX, at the
Kepatihan (Governor''s office), the discussion also elaborated on the potential
of joint efforts in the areas of housing and education, said the statement.
Yogyakarta, which recorded the second highest in Indonesia (after Bali) for
property market, is a preferred location especially for retirement, could also
benefit Sarawak as an alternative destination through Malaysia My Second Home
Programme (MM2H), said Abang Johari.
With an economic growth of five percent, Yuogyakarta''s major industries are
commerce, hotel and culinary, followed by housing, services and agriculture.
In welcoming the visitors, Pakualam lauded the initiative from Sarawak to
increase the effort, especially in the area of tourism, education, housing and
medical, not only between the two governments, but also between the private
sectors of both sides.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and the Association of the
Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) signed a memorandum of
understanding to promote and develop the tourism cooperation and regional
tourism, including joint tour packages and tourism events in Yogyakarta and
Sarawak and other destinations in the region.
Both parties also agreed to an integrated and better linkages between
Yogyakarta and Kuching and within the BIMP-EAGA region for increased tour
mobility.
-- BERNAMA
CJ AO