Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Sarawak Tourism Ministry in talks with MAS on increasing Sibu flights


THE Ministry of Tourism is in discussions with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and other airlines on the possibility of increasing the number of flights to Sibu.

Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip stated that this is part of efforts to promote Sibu and other areas in the central region as Sarawak tourism destinations.

“However, it should be taken into account that the airline companies are business entities and the final decision on whether an airline should fly into Sibu or other destinations depends on the load factor,” he said adding that tourism-related infrastructure and services will also be planned and implemented accordingly.

He was responding to a question by Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Asek) on the ministry’s plans to make full use of the extended Sibu Airport.

“The extension of Sibu Airport was undertaken to cater to passengers flying to the central region in anticipation of the rapid development in Sibu and the SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) area of Tanjung Manis in Mukah,” said Talib.

On the state revenue’s from the tourism industry for Sibu from 2005 until now, he stated it had increased from RM37.6 million in 2005 to RM283 million in 2011.

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