KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak’s commitment to responsible tourism, focused on preserving its rich cultural traditions and natural resources, was the central message and theme at its recent media appreciation night – “Yours Truly, Sarawak” An Evening Of Splendour.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor in her welcome address said: “Sarawak is truly blessed with different landscapes, national parks, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (Unesco) sites like the Gunong Mulu National Park.”
“However, we are ever careful to ensure we do not spoil our natural beauty and our resources,” she said, adding that this was the board’s promise, and pledge towards responsible tourism to ensure the preservation of Sarawak as a beautiful destination to live in and visit.
Sharzede said the state aims to promote responsible practices that uphold planetary health. “We want everyone to play a role in protecting and enhancing environmental and social sustainability within the entire ecosystem so that our land thrives and remains unspoilt for generations to come,” she said.
The event last Friday night was designed to give guests an immersive experience of the state and featured a kaleidoscope of Sarawakian culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals of the 34 ethnic tribes in the state, each with their own unique culture and traditions.
The state is endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on earth. Its vast landscape spans over 120,000sqkm, with towering mountains, cool highlands, jagged limestone formations, mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches. The multi-award-winning STB is the key promoter for Sarawak.
More than 150 local and regional media personalities attended STB’s media appreciation night, showcasing Sarawak culture, natural beauty, gastronomic delicacies, and performances by Sarawak‘s colourful and multi-ethnic communities. The lush Borneo rainforest was brought into each table at the venue, with vibrant natural elements creating an immersive ambience that allowed guests to connect with the natural beauty of Sarawak.
The event was graced with performances by Sarawakian and Miss Malaysia World 2014 title-holder Dewi Liana Seriestha, captivating choreography by Akar Seni Malaysia, and Sape player Leslie anak Eli.
In appreciation of the media’s contribution in telling the Sarawak story, STB surprised the audience with Yours Truly Sarawak Awards for best stories and coverage for broadcast, print and online, featured since January this year.
From the vast submissions across various media platforms, the winners were:
(i) Broadcast: Aksi Nyata Bantu Merawat Bumi di RWMF 2023 Sarawak, KompasTV Pontianak
(ii) Print media: Journeying into the Melanau Kitchen by Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal, New Straits Times
(iii) Online media: Kuching: A peek into Sarawak’s heritage by Farid Wahab, Leisurely Leisure.
Prior to the evening, media personnel were invited to participate in a short creative write-up contest Yours Truly, Sarawak to express why they believe Sarawak is a dream destination.
The winners were Farrah Naz Karim from New Straits Times, David Bowden from Travel Write Sdn Bhd, Niezam Abdullah from mStar, Zaiful Ariffin from Astro Awani and Shazmin Shamsuddin from The Vibes. – The Vibes, July 19, 2023
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