6th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards Draws 200 Entries

KUCHING, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak tourism secretariat has received 200 nominees for various categories of the 6th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2013/2014.

The award night cum gala dinner will be held on Nov 15 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here, starting 6pm.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem will be the guest of honour.

Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg said there will be nine main categories and 40 sub-categories for this year's awards.

"This year's committee is also introducing Special Recognition under Outstanding Destination Management Company for Foreign Partners taking care of Europe Market, ASEAN Market and North East Asia Market," he told reporters after chairing the organising committee meeting here today.

The main categories are Outstanding Hotel and Accommodation Providers, Outstanding Destination Management Company, Outstanding Tourist Guides, Outstanding Food Outlet, Outstanding Cottage Industry Contribution to the Tourism Industry, Outstanding Transport Contribution to the Tourism Industry, Outstanding Media Contribution to the Local Industry, Outstanding Tourism Attractions and Events and Hornbill Special Award/Minister's Award.

Abang Johari who is the chairman of the organising committee and chairman of the main selection committee said winners will each receive a 6th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2013/2014 trophy, certificate, RM5,000 cash and marketing incentive of RM3,000 for promotion and marketing at the venue.

He said the winner of the Hornbill Special Award will receive the 6th Sarawak Hornbill Award 2013/2014 trophy, certificate and RM10,000 cash, an increase from RM7,000, from the fifth edition of the award.

Abang Johari said the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award is an award to express appreciation to individuals and organisations who contributed towards the development of the tourism sector in Sarawak.

"It is also an award to create a culture of excellence, creativity, quality service and best practices among the tourism sector players in Sarawak," he added.

Meanwhile, Johari announced that Kuching has been chosen to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) from Nov 12-16 next year which will see some 750 foreign delegates converging in Kuching.

He said this will be the first time such a meeting, which focuses on MICE market, will be held in Malaysia after three earlier bidding attempts.
-bernama.