Sarawak Tourism Hornbill Trail Newsletter – Latest Highlights From The Sarawak Tourism

Bintulu Mountain Bike Challenge

MARCH 28 TO 29, 2020

BINTULU – The 4th series of Bintulu Mountain Bike Challenge will take place on March 28 to 29, 2020 at the MTB Track in Tanjung Batu, Bintulu.

The event aims to promote Bintulu as a tourist destination in the MTB scene, whilst, to build Sarawak’s image as sports and adventure destination through participation of other states and neighbouring countries.

This challenge is also a platform to produce potential local cycling champions to compete in the international level.

The MTB Challenge has eight categories, which are Men Elite, Veteran (50 & above), Master (40 & above), Junior (21 & above), Bintulu Closed, Fat Bike, XXL (95kg & above) and Women.

For more information and participation, contact Stanley at +60165781319 or Maulana at +60138396841.

bintulu mountain bike challenge

Samarahan Duathlon 2020

MARCH 29, 2020

SAMARAHAN – The Samarahan Duathlon 2020 will be held on March 29, this year at the Summer Shopping Mall, Kota Samarahan.

Organised by the Samarahan District Office, the event consists of a 6km run, followed by a 45km cycling and ending with a 6km run.

Participants will be able to compete in either two categories; individual (men and women open) or team (relay and open).

For more information and details on participation, visit https://www.checkpointspot.asia/Event/EventInfo.aspx?EventCode=ttJW09crBSU%3D

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Sibu’s New Urban Green Area: Bukit Lima Nature Reserve

SIBU – Bukit Lima Nature Reserve (BLNR) will be gazetted as ‘Urban Green Area’, as part of Sarawak’s effort in conserving the State’s natural habitat, while developing Sibu town.

It was announced by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the launching of the World Wetlands Day 2020 on February 8.

“This place will not be used for development; it will be a green area in Sibu. Once we gazette, we will improve the infrastructure here, re-do the drainage around Bukit Lima area and it will become a tourism area”, he added.

Sarawak is one of the states in Malaysia with positive and innovative policies in development plans whereby the government has identified green areas for conservation.

The decision to gazette the area is also part of the effort to educate the people in Sibu, particularly the younger generation on sustainable development.

Photo shows Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (left), Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Zolkipli Mohamad Aton (right) and others walking along the trail at BLNR. (Photo by The Borneo Post)

Bringing Home Sarawak’s 40,000 Years of Ancient Civilization

BINTULU – By the end of February, Sarawak hopes to bring back the skeletal remains and ancient relics dug up in Niah Cave, dated over 40,000 years ago, which are kept currently at the University of Florida in the United States.

It was announced by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology (CALA) 2020, held on February 5 to 8, this year.

“It’s exciting, especially for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak and I’m interested in it. We have a lot to offer in this industry and we have a huge museum, the second largest in Southeast Asia that will be launched in Kuching later this year,” he said.

For many years since Sarawak’s historical heritage has been kept far away from its origin, Sarawak is hoping that with the good deed of University of Florida, they would be able to bring it back, as there are more appropriate universities and museums available in the State now.

“There will also be a signing ceremony for the restoration of Sarawak’s historical heritage by the end of February and there will also be an international conference organized by museums that is more specific to caves and achievements in Southeast Asia by the end of 2020,” he added.

Niah_Caves_-_The_Great_Cave

Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival

April 17 To 19, 2020

KUCHING – The annual Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival will once again take place at the Sarawak Cultural Village on April 17 to 19, 2020.

Organised by the Sarawak Cultural Village and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, the festival is a prelude to Sarawak’s Gawai Dayak Festival which is celebrated every first day of June.

One of the highlights of the festival is the musical drama from the Bidayuh community entitled “Rajah Sebrah & The Golden Bamboo”. There will also be an ethnic beauty pageant, “Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2020” and the Sape World Concert & Workshops, featuring Sarawak’s renowned Sape players.

This three-day event is an ideal place for individuals of different backgrounds meet, discuss and compare notes on traditional cultures through the exchange of ideas, portrayal of dances, music, arts and crafts.

For more information, visit Sarawak Folklore Harvest Festival’s official website at https://sarawakharvestfestival.com.my/ or contact +6082-846108.

Photo shows the musical drama performance, “Rentap – The Untold Story” during the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival 2019.

The Chinese New Year – Chap Goh Meh Open House 2020

BAU – The Chinese New Year – Chap Goh Meh Open House 2020 will be held on February 8, 2020 at Siniawan Bazaar, Bau, from 8 am to 2 pm.

The Open House will be held together with the annual Yuan Xiao Festival, which features the Ah – Nyong traditional Street Possession which still remained as of today and practised since the 1880’s.

Organised by Sarawak Tourism Federation and in collaboration with the Siniawan Community, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak and the Sarawak Tourism Board, this event aims to gather visitors and locals alike to partake in the celebrations and tradition of Open Houses in Sarawak.

For more information and updates, visit Sarawak Tourism Federation’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stfsarawak/posts.

Photo shows visitors coming to taste Chinese delicacies during the Chinese New Year Yee Sang celebration 2019

Kudos to Sarawak Tourism Board!

KUCHING – The First Phase of Visit Sarawak Campaign (VSC) had received a favourable increment in the number of visitor arrivals for the year 2019 in comparison to the year 2018.

It was announced by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Minister of Youth and Sports Sarawak, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during Sarawak Tourism Board’s Annual Gala Dinner on January 19, 2020 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

“An unaudited achievement of 5.22 percent increase in the number of arrivals had keep our hopes high and in fact our arrivals have indeed surpassed the UNWTO’s global growth predicted at 4% for 2019”, he said.

The Second Phase of VSC will focus more into digital promotion, which involves celebrities, influencers and key opinion leaders (KOLs) while maintaining the current conventional promotion.

“I laud the efforts of the Sarawak Tourism Federation and its umbrella bodies in working together with my Ministry and the Board and I hope that the collaboration and partnership will continue to bring the industry to a greater height’, he added.

Photo shows the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Minister of Youth and Sports Sarawak, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah presenting his speech during STB’s Annual Gala Dinner

Up Close and Personal with Sarawak Hidden Treasures

KUCHING – On January 16, 2020, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) organised a LitSara Traditional Wisdom Tour for Sarawak’s industry partners with the support of Sarawak Tourism Board (STB).

The LitSara Traditional Wisdom Tour is a one and a half hour tour where visitors will get a chance to discover enchanting fragrances from Sarawak’s indigenous herbs and plants, including their traditional knowledge, uses for food, medicine, health and many more.

The programme consists of a mindful walk through SBC’s Ethnobotanical Garden to get up close and personal to centuries old traditional knowledge from various communities in Sarawak. Visitors can also visit the SBC’s Gallery and indulge in a hands-on activity by making their own aromatherapy essential oil.

At the end of the tour, visitors will be able to experience a Traditional Steam Spa ‘Native Style’, infused with wild herbs and spices to soothe your tired feet and body. The tour finishes with a native story-telling and visitors will bring back their preferred “LitSara Gift Set”.

For more information, visit Sarawak Biodiversity Centre’s official website at https://www.sbc.org.my/public-education-internship/litsara-traditional-wisdom-tour

Photo shows Mdm. Jovita (in turquoise dress) explaining the function of each plant during the Ethnobotanical Garden walk

RWMF Bagged Its Position in TWCM Festival Award 2019

KUCHING – Sarawak’s iconic event, the Rainforest World Music Festival has once again managed to secure a position in the Transglobal World Music Chart (TWCM) Festival Awards 2019, emerging at No.8 in the “Global Top 10” category.

TWMC launched their Festival Awards for the first time in 2018 with a goal to inspire appreciation towards music from the different cultures of the world and as a tool to develop music scenario of people in many areas of life.

During the winning announcement, Transglobal World Music Chart co-founder and Festival Awards coordinator Araceli Tzigane Sánchez said that after the evaluation of the previous edition, at least one of the festivals that repeated this year has improved, following their assessment.

The 2019 RWMF closed with 23,650 festival goers, featuring 30 bands and over 200 performers at the Theatre Stage, Emerging Band Stage and also at the mini sessions.

This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival will be held from July 10 to 12, 2020, at Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Sarawak.

For more information and updates on the festival, visit the official website at https://rwmf.net/.

Picture shows the finale of Rainforest World Music Festival 2019

Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat Resumed Its Operation

SRI AMAN – The resort management of Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat is glad to inform that they will continue to operate as usual despite their renovation process which will take place starting April 1, 2020.

However, the resort will be partially closed in stages for renovation with minimal interruption to in-house guests.

All pending room blockings will be honoured and the contract rate for 2020/2021 will be issued with new rates, terms and conditions according to the management of Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat.

For more information and enquiries, visit the Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat official website at https://www.aimanbatangai.com or contact Mr. Edward Minggat, the Resort Operation Manager at +6013-851 1224.