KUCHING: Bau Cultural and Tourism Festival (BCTF) has been earmarked for inclusion in the national tourism calendar as efforts intensify to promote the event internationally.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said he would request Tourism Malaysia to ensure the Bau Cultural and Tourism Festival is listed in the Visit Malaysia calendar and continuously promoted as a long-term tourism product.
Speaking during the festival’s opening ceremony at REDEEMS Centre on Saturday night (May 9), he said the move would help position Bau as one of the country’s emerging tourism destinations.
“I will also ask Tourism Malaysia to ensure that the Bau Cultural and Tourism Festival is included in the Visit Malaysia calendar and continues to be promoted as one of the potential tourism products for the long term,” he said.
At the same time, Tiong stressed that preparations and readiness among local stakeholders were equally important to ensure sustainable tourism growth in the district.
He reminded organisers, businesses and the local community not to wait until tourists arrive before making improvements and preparations.
“If we want Bau to continue to grow as a tourist destination, we must always be prepared in terms of cleanliness, facilities, hospitality and the overall visitor experience,” he said.
According to him, Tourism Malaysia would also assist in terms of promotion and publicity to strengthen the festival’s visibility domestically and internationally.
Tiong also announced an allocation of RM400,000 from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to support the organisation of this year’s festival.
He expressed hope that the festival would continue to grow and bring long-term economic and social benefits to the people of Bau.
The Bau Cultural and Tourism Festival could be one of the district’s signature community events, highlighting the area’s rich multicultural heritage, local traditions, food, music and tourism attractions.
Located about 35 kilometres from Kuching, Bau is widely known for its historical gold mining heritage, limestone landscapes and popular attractions such as Tasik Biru and Fairy Cave.
The festival also serves as a platform to strengthen community ties while promoting Bau’s tourism potential to visitors from within and outside Sarawak.
