The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) held its first virtual product update to connect state tourism players with those in other parts of Malaysia.

Over 200 buyers from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah were given access to company brochures, profiles, and trip images from 30 sellers from Sarawak's tour and travel sector during the two-day event.

Through chat and video calls on the event platform, buyers and sellers were able to share ideas and set up appointments for future tourism-related plans.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the state minister for arts, tourism and culture, said the virtual event provided an opportunity for tourism stakeholders to realign their efforts in recovering from the slowing tourism business caused by the continuing pandemic.

“I am certain this will be a fruitful event for participants.

“For those who are familiar with Sarawak tourism, it is an opportunity to deepen our working relationships and help to innovate tourism products,” he said when launching the virtual product update.

The event, according to STB chief executive Sharzede Salleh Askor, was part of efforts to promote Sarawak as a must-see destination, particularly in advance of the reopening of the domestic tourism industry.

“I hope participants will take full advantage of the virtual update to gain a market fit or come up with new strategies in anticipation of the post-pandemic future,” she said.

“Through virtual events, sellers and buyers have the opportunity to have more meaningful conversations, broaden their reach into untapped markets and follow-up effectively with potential clients,” added Sharzede.

STB has launched several programmes to boost the local tourism business since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The intra-state tourism campaign Sia Sitok Sarawak, an online ecosystem fund to expand the tourism industry's digital footprint, and a visitors incentive package to assist tour packages supplied by local travel firms were among them.