Sarawak Tourism Board and PATA Collaborate an New Resilience Program

Published on May 20, 2024

Today, at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching, the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, proudly announced the Sarawak Tourism Destination Resilience program, which aims to involve 60 participants. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Sarawak’s journey toward tourism recovery, sustainability, and growth in response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tourism Destination Resilience Program is a collaborative effort between the Sarawak Tourism Board and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). By equipping industry stakeholders with the necessary tools to navigate crises effectively, this program represents a crucial step forward in ensuring the long-term viability of Sarawak’s tourism sector.

YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing
Arts Sarawak shared, “Tourism is more than just an economic engine – it is a force for good, a
bridge between cultures, and a catalyst for positive change. We must ensure that our tourism
practices are sustainable, ethical and inclusive, respecting both the needs of our visitors and the
integrity of our environment.

Key objectives of the program include evaluating, mitigating, and managing risks; strengthening
adaptive capacity; promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism practices; preserving cultural
heritage; and advocating for safety and security within the tourism landscape.

Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, added “The TDR programme
aims to equip the Sarawak Tourism Board, key destination stakeholders, and tourism MSMEs with
a comprehensive understanding of the steps to build resilience and foster greater sustainability.
The overarching goal is to enable these stakeholders to develop and execute a robust action plan
that promotes resilience and sustainable tourism growth in the destination and MSMEs operations.”

The program offers a thorough curriculum consisting of 12 modules, carefully designed to tackle the distinct requirements and obstacles encountered within Sarawak’s tourism sector. Throughout the upcoming five days, attendees, encompassing policymakers, SMEs, and business proprietors, will partake in immersive sessions geared towards deepening their comprehension of Tourism Destination Resilience.

As the Sarawak Tourism Destination Resilience program embarked on its maiden voyage, it symbolized a shared vision for the future of Sarawak’s tourism scene. Supported by esteemed allies such as the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and bolstered by unwavering backing from industry pioneers, this endeavor marks the dawn of a fresh era defined by cooperation and inventive approaches.