More than 150 local and regional media personalities were treated to Sarawak Culture, Adventure, Natural beauty, gastronomic delicacies and a taste of Sarawak‘s colourful and multi-ethnic Festivals. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) hosted an enchanting showcase of Sarawak, in every aspect – from its beautiful landscapes to rich and diverse cultures and heritage. The lush Borneo rainforest setting, and vibrant elements created an immersive ambience, allowing guests to connect with the natural beauty of Sarawak – all depicted through immersive skits by talented performers.
The evening kicked off with a special rendition of Hijau by Zamil Idris, a song that carried a strong message of sustainability – a narrative strongly advocated by STB. Sarawak stresses the importance of Responsible Tourism to create awareness of the importance of Planetary Health through Responsible practices in tourism.
Upon arrival, attendees were warmly greeted with a traditional Sarawakian welcome, showcasing the warm hospitality for which Sarawak is well-known. The ambiance exuded a sense of authenticity, reflecting the Sarawak’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural traditions and its million-year-old rainforest.
Puan Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board, gave a warm welcome message, “Sarawak is truly blessed with different landscapes, national parks, and 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. This is our promise, and pledge towards Responsible Tourism to ensure preservation of Sarawak as a beautiful destination to live in as well as to visit.”
She added, “Advocating ‘Planetary Health’ through ‘Responsible Practices’, among our people and to our visitors, Sarawak invites everyone to play a role in ensuring that the space they occupy remains clean after they leave. Attention should be given to protecting and enhancing environmental and social sustainability within the entire ecosystem, so that our Land thrives and remains unspoilt for generations to come.”
In appreciation of the contribution of media 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 by KompasTV Pontianak.
(ii) Print Media – Journeying into the Melanau Kitchen by Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal, from New Straits Times
(iii) Online Media – Kuching: A peek into Sarawak’s heritage by Farid Wahab from 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;
(i) Farrah Naz Karim from New Straits Times
(ii) David Bowden, Travel Write Sdn Bhd
(iii) Niezam Abdullah, mStar
(iv) Zaiful Ariffin, Astro Awani
(v) Shazmin Shamsuddin, The Vibes
The whole ambience for the event was enhanced by performances by Sarawakian and Miss Malaysia World 2014 title-holder Dewi Liana Seriestha, captivating choreography by the Akar Seni Malaysia, and Sape player Leslie anak Eli. The media night by Sarawak Tourism Board showcased Sarawak’s deep-rooted traditions, solidifying Sarawak’s reputation as a unique and unforgettable destination.