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Showing posts with label Sarawak Tourism Board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarawak Tourism Board. Show all posts

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Travel Agents Federation of India Selects Kuching As Convention Venue In September


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 
Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (right)
speaking to the representatives from TAFI during
their courtesy call 

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has picked Kuching to hold its convention from 20-23 September since its last one was held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in 2018.

In Malaysia, TAFI had held its convention in Kuala Lumpur in 1999 and in Kota Kinabalu in 2007.

With over 1,400 active members who are tour operators and travel agents who account for about 70% of the outbound travel agents in India, the majority of them are also International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited agents.

TAFI managing committee led by its president Ajay Prakash recently visited Kuching for multiple convention and facilities site inspections besides calling on Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The minister says TAFI’s convention 2022’s theme, Build Back Better, is very much aligned with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, with the state aspiring to empower the community and ensuring a sustainable environment. 

He believes the convention will be a catalyst to entice more visitors from India to visit Sarawak in the near future. 

TAFI President Ajay Prakash 

Elaborating on the theme, Prakash, who is also Nomad Travels chief executive officer, says it is vital that the tourism industry does not forget the lessons of the pandemic, adding that as one of the biggest global industries, the power of tourism to shape the world is phenomenal. 

Build Back Better encapsulates the resolve to rebuild tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

With the Indian market is growing, we are constantly looking for new destinations, products and experiences. Sarawak has the potential to become a popular destination as today’s generation is concerned about the planet’s conservation and sustainability, he adds.

Concurring with him are TAFI’s convention committee chairman Seeraj Singh Sabharwal and its deputy chairman Jigar Dudakiya.

Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (4th from right), Snowdan Lawan (Centre) Deputy
Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts posing for a group photo with 
representatives from TAFI, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Convention Bureau
and Tourism Malaysia

According to Sabharwal, Sarawak is a relatively unexplored destination for Indian  and a suitable destination for family Travel, honeymooners, weddings, business events, including for the film industry.

Dudakiya says Borneo Convention Centre Kuching has been selected as the venue for their convention this year because of its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as WIFI besides its ability to host up to 5,000 persons, among other things.

The convention package for the delegates will include three nights of pre- or post-tours to beautiful places within Malaysia.

#TAFI
#Travel Agents Federation of India
#Sarawak Tourism Board
#Sarawak Convention Bureau
#Tourism Malaysia
#Outbound Travel Agents
#Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
#Business events
#MICE
#Meetngs & Conventions


Thursday, April 21, 2022

Tourism Malaysia Targets Tourists From India After Borders Reopen


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk 


As of March 27, 2022, India has opened its sky for regular international flight operations while Malaysia reopened its borders effective April 1. 

Tourism Malaysia was quick to seize the opportunity to initiate its marketing and promotional roadshow to six cities in India from April 17 to 30. 


Led by Manoharan Periasamy (Picture Left), Tourism Malaysia Senior Director of the International Promotion Division (South Asia & Africa), the roadshow kick-started with New Delhi. 

It will be followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai. India, being a top source market for Malaysia, contributed 735,309 tourist arrivals in 2019. 

Currently, there are over 14,000 seats available weekly between India and Malaysia through Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, AirAsia, IndiGo and Air India Express. Flights between the two countries has now reached 76 per week compared with about 200 flights weekly before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manoharan, a veteran in the Indian outbound market, remarks, “This is the right time to be back in India. Planning for this roadshow is very opportune. The resumption of scheduled international flights from India coincided with the reopening of Malaysia’s international borders.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Indian travellers back to our shores as we have many exciting, new value-driven and action-packed itineraries.

“There is so much to explore after two years, especially with the newly opened outdoor theme park, Genting SkyWorld in Pahang and the refurbished Sunway Resort in Kuala Lumpur.”

Group photo of some members of the delegation
Photo credit to MATTA member

Besides instilling confidence among the Indian travellers that it is safe to visit Malaysia, another objective of the roadshow is to provide a platform for its local industry players to bounce back and recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Those participating in the roadshow comprised 22 travel agents specialising in inbound tourists from India, four hoteliers, four product owners and three Malaysia-based airlines. See the list below. 

Tourism Malaysia targets to attract two million international tourist arrivals and RM6.8 billion in tourism receipts for 2022.


Malaysia is now open for quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated international tourists. Those from India can apply for Malaysia’s eVISA online.

Among the standard operating procedures for travelling to Malaysia are they are required to take a RT-PCR test two days before their departure to Malaysia. Upon their arrival, they must undergo a professionally administered RTK-Antigen test within 24 hours. 


PARTICIPANTS IN THE ROADSHOW TO INDIA

Travel agencies 
Asia Region Holidays Sdn Bhd
Asian Season Travel Sdn Bhd
Asian Famous Tours & Travels
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
Asian World Holidays Sdn Bhd
Azuki Tours Sdn Bhd
Bary Tours Sdn Bhd
Bel Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
D’Mart Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
Destination Explore Sdn Bhd
Devoyager Global Tours Sdn Bhd
Eco Coach & Tours (M) Sdn
Exotic Asia Holidays Travel Tours Sdn Bhd
Friendly Vacations Sdn.Bhd and Travel DMC Group
Hibiscus Travel & Tours Sdn
One Holidays Above Sdn Bhd
RV Holidays Sdn Bhd
The Traveller Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Taj Tours (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tourland Travel Sdn Bhd
U2 Travels and Tours Sdn Bhd
United Travels & Tours Sdn

Hotels/Resorts
Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels
Lexis Hotels & Resorts
Shangri-La Group

Tourism Products & Attractions 
Resorts World Genting
Sunway Lagoon Sdn Bhd
Legoland Malaysia Resort
Desaru Coast

Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Malindo Air
AirAsia

Others
Webbeds
























Thursday, April 14, 2022

Rainforest World Music Festival Of Sarawak Returns In June 2022


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Are you ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) from 17-19 June after the physical event has been put on hold over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RWMF, with its humble beginnings in 1998, attracted a small crowd of about 300 music enthusiasts but at its last count of in 2019 before the Covid-19 lockdown, this event had over 20,000 people attending it. 

Many of its fans will be delighted to welcome back RWMF 2022, themed the “Legendary Rainforest Celebration” by its organiser Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), which will be holding it in hybrid format for the first time.

While the venue remains at Sarawak Cultural Village, music enthusiasts who are unable attend the physical live show, can livestream it in the comfort of their homes via subscribing an online viewing platform.

At the recent launch of the 25th Legendary RMWF at the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, says: “I’m very proud of how far our homegrown product has come: From around 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998 to becoming the first hybrid festival of its kind in Malaysia.

Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative
 Industry and Performing Arts,
 Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

“Concertgoers who miss the feel of the physical concert can come together in mutual appreciation of world music, and those around the world can enjoy world music live from the comfort of their own homes.” 

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor remarks, “Every year, we strive to make the RWMF better than the year before.

“Last year’s Virtual Experience gave us invaluable feedback on how we could work towards combining the best of both worlds – physical and the digital – to create RWMF’s first hybrid edition this year. 

“We hope that creating this unique precedent for the 25th edition of the festival will become a keystone for the next 25 years for the festival, bridging the past with the future and sustaining and reinventing our musical heritage and its traditions for many years to come.”

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive
Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor 

When STB tried out the virtual platform last year, streaming RWMF Virtual Experience for free viewing, it received encouraging response from 402,865 viewers who tuned in from 79 countries last year. 

In February this year, STB won the bronze award at the Marketing Excellence Awards Malaysia 2022 for its Excellence in Mobile Marketing for the RWMF, which recognises outstanding marketing strategies.

As in previous RWMFs, an international selection of performers and local groups will be showcasing their best presentations with non-stop music before sunset to midnight at the weekend.

STB is currently finalising its list of international performers from Canada, India, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, China, Bhutan, South Korea and the United States among other countries.

It is working with Majlis Seni Sarawak, mixing traditional Sarawakian music with international flavours to open the three-day show in a first-time musical collaboration. 

File Picture: The nightly crowd over the thousands that filled the Sarawak Cultural Village 

RWMF is more than just a music concert or festival. It has become a breeding ground for Sarawakian talents to become international performers at other international music festivals worldwide. This year, STB will again showcase some of these Sarawakian talents.

They include Alena Murang, Kemada, Sang Rawi, At Adau, Tuku Kame, Suk Binie’, Nading Rhapsody and Mathew Ngau alongside other international talents.

 
STB Director of Communications Margaret Apau (third from right) receiving the
bronze award for Excellence in Mobile Marketing for RWMF. Picture from STB

There will be an Early Bird ticket sales for the RWMF 2022 starting 18 April for both the physical and virtual concerts on www.rwmf.net


For the physical concert, festival-goers can grab tickets in the different categories: An adult one-day pass at RM150, adult three-day pass (RM375); child one-day pass (RM80), child three-day pass (RM155) while a one-day family package pass for two adults and two children costs RM400.

The virtual tickets for the RWMF 2022 are priced at RM25.

Teaser Video Rainforest World Music Festival is "BACK"

Malaysia Airlines has been named the official airline partner for the RWMF 2022. This collaboration, a continuation of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) partnership with STB, will see the national carrier together with its sister airline Firefly and Journify offering unbeatable deals comprising flights and a three-day event pass to drive visitors to Sarawak. 

Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have early birds deals of up to 15% and 10% off discounts on flights on selected Malaysia Airlines, including from London, Australia and some ASEAN destinations and the recently launched Firefly’s jet operations from Penang to Kuching.

Firefly started direct flights from Penang to Kuching from 11 April using
Boeing 737-800 aircrafts

The sale will start from 25 April until 14 May for travels from 1-30 June. These tickets are available exclusively for those who purchase the three-day pass via the airline’s respective websites, where they are required to include the promo code to enjoy the discounts on the air tickets. 

Customers will also have the option to buy the “value-for-flights” deals exclusively on Journify that offers MHflypass plus a three-day pass to the RWMF 2022 at a fixed attractive price which gives them flexibility, convenience, and control over their flight spending.

The MHFlypass offers two convenient options for passengers travelling for the RWMF based .on their destination origin, allowing them to choose the zone that matches their travel needs best

Early birds can grab a MHFlypass for as low as RM1,774 for Zone 2 and RM1,974 for Zone 3 with the flights valid for a year.

Zone 2 offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Kuala Lumpur and destinations in Sabah and Sarawak while Zone 3 allows them to fly from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia destinations, with a connection in Kuala Lumpur.

Multiple payment options are available, including an installment plan or Buy Now Pay Later, for these deals.

Speaking on behalf of MAG, MASWings Chief Operating Officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar says, “We are honoured to be appointed as the official carrier for the highly anticipated 25th edition of RWMF to bring in travellers from all over the world to the Land of the Hornbills.”

With Malaysia’s international borders reopening on 1 April, he believes this collaboration with STB will be “vital to rebuild the tourism industry, stimulate domestic and international travelling, and help support industry players' value chains such as travel agents, product owners, local artisans, and business partners”.

He adds, “We will continue to build travellers' confidence by maintaining high levels of safety and hygiene standards onboard our flights to make it a memorable travel experience for all to fly confidently, fly Malaysia and fly beyond.”


#RWMF
#Sarawak Tourism board
#Malaysia Aviation Group
#Malaysia Airlines
#Firefly
#MASWings
#Wolrd Music Festival
#Sarawak Cultural Village
#Journify
#
Borneo Cultures Museum


Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Scoot: Ready For Take Off From Singapore To Miri Twice Weekly

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email:  anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd, operating as Scoot, will launch its twice weekly direct flights from Singapore to Miri effective 23 February. 

The Singaporean low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, was initially scheduled to commence the Singapore-Miri route on 19 January but had postponed to this new date due to unforeseen circumstances.

According to Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the letter of confirmation for the route from Scoot was received on 3 February by his ministry. 

Sarawak Transport
Minister Dato Sri
Lee Kim Shin

“With the opening of this new route between Singapore and Miri, the distance, time, and comfort of doing business will be less of a hassle, especially if we need to bring in cargo or business travellers from overseas via Singapore to Miri,” he says.

Additionally, expenses will be greatly reduced compared to transiting in Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, Scoot is operating flights from Singapore to Kuching three times weekly. It will be very timely for the airline to operate the Singapore-Miri route as Miri is the northern gateway into Sarawak.

Miri is also one of the main gateways to numerous wildlife attractions such as Gunung Mulu National Park, which features the world’s largest cave passage at Deer Cave besides other interesting caves. This renowned national park can be reached by air in 30 minutes from Miri.

The city is also the gateway to the fantastic caves at Niah National Park, Sarawak’s largest natural lake at Loagan Bunut National Park and Lambir Hills National Park with one of the world’s biggest biodiversity. 

Dato Sri Lee views the Singapore-Miri route as a manifestation of the airline and other big corporations’ confidence in Sarawak and Miri can offer investors in terms of the oil and gas industry.

Passengers of airlines not using the aerobridge at the Miri Airport will
have to walk to the terminal building

He reminds all travellers entering Sarawak to comply strictly with the standard operating procedures set by Malaysia’s National Security Council, Ministry of Health and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

They include filling the EnterSarawak and e-Health form to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state. 

Just a short drive by road outside the Miri City, tourists can experience the
traditional native welcome ceremony to their longhouse 
 

Acknowledging the support of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia Aviation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad, Immigration Department, Custom Department and SDMC, he says the Singapore-Miri flights are now open for booking at Scoot’s website, https://www.flyscoot.com.

Singapore-Miri Flight Schedule

Frequency

From

To

Flight No.

Departure Time

Arrival Time

Wednesday

Singapore

Miri

TR 400

12.20pm

2.20 pm

Saturday

Miri

Singapore

TR 401

3pm

5pm

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Sarawak Eases Requirements For Visitors

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications 
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Sarawak’s State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has announced that with immediate effect from 14 January, Malaysians entering the state will no longer need to apply through EnterSarawak if they have no history of travelling abroad the past 14 days.

This so applies to non-Malaysians who have been in the country for more than 14 days.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) sees this as a positive development to revitalise its tourism sector. 

Confident of the recovery of the tourism industry in 2022, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor believes this will make travelling into Sarawak even more seamless.

CEO Sharzede 

“We are confident this move will bode well for the entire state and for Sarawak tourism as we continue to intensify promoting our tourism destinations to the domestic market in 2022.

“We will further highlight culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals, which are unique to Sarawak.”

According to the SDMC’s travel requirements, it is still mandatory for those entering Sarawak to fill up the e-Health Declaration Form. 

Individuals must also be fully vaccinated and their vaccination status will be checked at the airport.

Login to Sarawak Tourism Board’s website, https://sarawaktourism.com/travel-advisory/ for more information.



Cultural Heritage Still Alive In Sarawak

A group of Swiss tourists going on an adventure ride
in traditional boat up river to Mulu

The Rainforest World Music Festival -
The longest running annual music festival in Malaysia
and have won multi-international awards 




Sunday, December 5, 2021

Sarawak Welcomes Back Malaysia Airlines Direct Flight From Penang To Kuching

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications 
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

2 December 2021 will go into the historical records on Malaysia Airlines’ resumption of its direct flight from Penang to Kuching. Before this, business and leisure travellers have to transit at KL International Airport for their connections to Sarawak’s capital city.

The Penang-Kuching flight operates twice weekly with average fare at RM209 one way. The national carrier is using Boeing 737-800 which offers 16 Business Class and 144 Economy Class seats.

MH2721 flight, carrying 140 passengers, touched down at Kuching International Airport at about 9.50 am and was a given the traditional water cannon salute by two fire water trucks from Malaysia Airports’ Fire Department to celebrate the occasion. 

The passengers were welcomed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; its Permanent Secretary and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Deputy Chairman Hii Chang Kee; STB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor; Malaysia Airlines Head of Sales Roslan Ismail and Maswings Chief Operating Officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar. 

A Sarawak cultural performance troupe was also part of the welcome delegation


Abdul Karim, in his welcoming speech, said, “Sarawak is nestled on the beautiful island of Borneo, separated from the Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea. One of the ways in and out of the island is by air connectivity. 
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC)
 Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah


“It is so good to see we are now connected via Malaysia Airlines to another beautiful island, Penang. With travel restrictions easing up in Sarawak, the state is looking forward to more new direct routes and increased frequency of direct flights from Malaysia’s other hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Kota Kinabalu as well as greater collaboration with the national carrier.

“Passengers’ safety will always be our main priority with stringent standard operating procedures enforced so that they will have peace of mind while travelling to Sarawak.

“Fully vaccinated domestic travellers from all states in Malaysia need not quarantine upon arrival to Sarawak and no PCR or RTK Covid-19 tests are needed prior to departure. 

“The only requirement needed is the application for ‘Enter Sarawak’ for non-Sarawakians and filling in the e-Health declaration form,” he added.

Sharzede quipped, “We are heartened to welcome passengers from Penang to Sarawak. A unique plethora of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals, we are certain travellers from Penang will enjoy the many offerings of Sarawak.”

“We extend our appreciation to MTAC Sarawak and Malaysian Airlines for the addition of this new route and look forward to welcoming more visitors from Penang during the upcoming holiday season.

“We will continue creating meaningful experience for our travellers whilst spearheading responsible tourism initiatives as we believe it will contribute to the wellbeing of our local communities and the environment.”


Malaysia Aviation Group CEO Captain Izham Ismail remarked, “Malaysia Airlines is honoured to recommence operations between these two key domestic sectors, Penang and Sarawak. As national carrier of the country, we play a unique role in stimulating the travel and tourism industry. 

“This move is very timely as air travel gradually picks up domestically and we are ready to serve business or leisure travellers with the connectivity they need.

“Our sister company MASwings is also supporting with increased operations from Kuching to Miri with 12 times weekly flights effective 1 December 2021, signifying our commitment to provide better air connectivity within Malaysia and into the rural areas of Borneo.” 


Friday, March 16, 2018

Wings Air Indonesia Launches Daily Flight From Pontianak To Miri


By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications

Wings Air Indonesia ATR72-600

Wings Air, a subsidiary of low-cost airline Lion Air Group, has launched a daily flight from Pontianak, West Kalimantan’s capital city to Sarawak’s second largest city Miri on 15 March. This is Wings Air second destination after the successful launch of its flight to Sarawak’s capital city Kuching in January. 

Wings Air’s daily flight from Supadio Airport in Pontianak, which starts at 3:30 pm (local time) is estimated to arrive at Miri International Airport at 6:20 pm (local time) while its return flight from Miri, a coastal city that borders with Brunei Darussalam in the island of Borneo, will depart at 6:50 pm and to arrive in Pontianak at 9:40 pm.

Wings Air will use the turbo prop ATR 72-600, which can accommodate 72 passengers for this route.
It currently flies to over 107 destinations both domestically and internationally with its frequency reaching 300 flights daily.

The airline, which has a fleet of 54 ATR 72-500/600, is expected to add another 20 aircraft this year.

Miri Airport
Lion Air's operational director Captain Daniel Putut says with the opening of the Pontianak-Miri route, people could travel between the two cities in just two hours. It is much quicker than driving, which takes 16 hours, and is also quite affordable at around Rp700,000 (about RM230) one-way.

Via Pontianak, which offers connections to other Indonesian destinations such as Jakarta, Batam, Semarang, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Ujung Pandang, Bandung, Ketapang, Sintang and Putus Sibau, they are now more options for air passengers from Miri.

On hand to welcome the recent inaugural flight with 51 passengers to Miri was the Sarawak state Assistant Minister
Sarawak’s Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and
Culture, Lee Kim Shin (second from left)
posing with Lion Air officials 
of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) acting CEO, Mary Wan Mering.

Mary sees Indonesia, which contributes about 60% to Malaysia’s medical tourism sector, as a very important market for Kuching and Miri, which have unique products for leisure, medical and educational tourism.

Miri, for instance, has three main private hospitals that promote medical tourism. They are Borneo Medical Centre, Miri City Medical Centre and Columbia Asia Hospital that cater for medical tourists from Pontianak and the surrounding areas.

2018 is also Visit Miri Year with more than 30 events lined up such as the Miri City International Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament (May 10-13). This is an initiative by the Miri City Council in collaboration with Miri Resident Office; Miri District Office; STB; Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports; Sarawak Forestry Corporation and other local non-government organisations.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)
acting CEO, Mary Wan Mering.
With the connectivity offered by the Miri-Pontianak route, hopefully STB’s two major annual international events – the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri (May 11-12) and Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching (13-15 July) will be able to woo more Indonesians to attend these two events this year. 
The inaugural flight was also welcome by natives
icons in traditional costumes of Sarawak
Mary hopes the new route will help Sarawak achieve its arrival target for 2018, which is set to increase between 8% and 10% of the 4.8 million arrivals into the state last year. 

Malaysia Airports managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali says while the airport operator continuously engages with various airlines in its route development efforts, the
Malaysia Airports managing director
Datuk Badlisham Ghazali
focus is not just on the KL International Airport.

Smaller airports such as Miri Airport also play an important role acting as feeders to our international airports. Miri Airport, which is undergoing expansion to three million passengers per annum (mppa) capacity, handled 2.1 million passenger traffic movements in 2017. 

Badlisham adds that the opening of Pontianak-Miri route is in support of the objectives under the BIMPT-EAGA to increase trade and investment among member countries.
 
BIMPT-EAGA is a sub-regional economic co-operation comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor Leste.