BINTULU: The Borneo International Kite Festival held in Bintulu from August 16 to 24 should be viewed as a good foundation to promote the state, and particularly Bintulu itself, as an ideal tourist hotspot.
Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Datuk Michael Manyin in Jawong said this when officiating at the launch of the festival held at the old airport compound here on August 20.
In his brief address, he said such events - specifically those involving international participants - should be given more emphasis.
The state and Malaysia in general, are especially endowed with an abundance of rich natural resources which are invaluable in terms of bolstering the national tourism industry, said Many in, adding that sufficient efforts must be made to capitalise on these assets.

"Many people who are not working within tourism-related sectors might wonder and think that they have nothing to benefit from tourism but in actuality, it indirectly affects their life," he said, adding that tourism, was a vast and influential sector as its success also impacted other industries.

"The state government emphasises that the tourism industry brings in the second highest revenue -next to manufacturing industries - by contributing RM4.3 billion to the state's vcoffer," said Manyin.

Manyin also proposed that organisers assign a specific date for the festival in order to make it a regular annual event in the state's tourism calendar.

"Now with the help of technology such as the Internet it is easier than ever for tourists to check out what is happening around the world as far as festivals and big events are concerned.
"So in order to attract more visitors, the date of the festival or other potential' event must be kept, consistent and not be subject to change," said Manyin.