Sarawak wants visitors from Europe and Middle East for music fest

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) aims to attract more long-haul visitors such as those from Australia, Europe and the Middle East to the coming Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) on the back of better and earlier marketing efforts. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the board hoped to attract a crowd of at least 21,000 during the three-day festival out of which 70% would be from outside of Sarawak. He said previous festivals saw about 40% foreigners. “We’ve started to promote the festival early and we’re more prepared this year. We’ll be making some changes and upgrading the festival site, and arranging for more packages so that visitors who come for the festival will have more tourism variety in terms of food and places of interest,” he said.

How it’s strung: Mathew Ngau Jau (right), a well-known Orang Ulu performer and sape maker showing Dr Chan (second right) how to play the sape during the launch. With them are (from left) permanent secretary to the Tourism and Heritage Ministry Datuk Ik Pahon and Rashid.

“The festivity is not confined to Santubong (where RWMF will be held) but around the city,” he told a press conference to launch the festival’s new image in Kuching yesterday. RWMF will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong from July 8 to 10, showcasing 20 performers from France (Startijenn), New Zealand (Pacific Curls), Iran (Mamak Khadem), USA (The Blue Canyon Boys and Lisa Haley & The Zydekats), Georgia, Eastern Europe (The Shin), Canada (Ikswew), Finland (Frigg), Senegal (Malick Pathe Sow), Malaysia (Agungbeat), Mexico/Australia (Victor Valdez Trio), Latvia (Ilgi), China (Hanggai), India/UK (Kissmet), Ireland (Paddy Keenan Trio), Tunisia/Algeria (Duoud), Dominican Republic (Joaquin Diaz), Italy (Kamafei), Kenya (Kenge Kenge) and Poland (Warsaw Village Band).

Dr Chan, who is also Tourism and Heritage Minister, said they would also rope in low cost carriers to be involved in the festival to achieve the 70% target. “They fly to and from everywhere now,” he said. STB chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said mini concerts and music workshops would be held at selected venues to create the air of RWMF festivity prior to the event as well as to cash in the tourism receipt. He said the previous festival generated RM13mil in tourism receipt for the local tourism industry.

Daily tickets to the festival are priced at RM110 for adults and RM55 for children aged three to 12 and these are now available on line atwww.ticketcharge.com.my. A three-day pass for adults costing RM300 and RM150 for children aged three to 12 are also available. Those intending to go to the music festival are advised to purchase their tickets early online, before Feb 28, to enjoy early birds discount for the July 8 and 9 day passes. For more information, log on to www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

-thestar online.