KUCHING: Sarawak’s participation at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Kuala Lumpur 2025 will see the announcement of the city as the eighth destination under Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in a media release said the international initiative positions the state as a must-visit destination for global travellers, while MATTA Fair provides the ideal stage to share the milestone with a broad audience.
The launch will take place tomorrow (Saturday, September 6) at MAG Arena, Level 3, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
It will be marked by a handshake ceremony between STB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sharzede Salleh Askor, and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines, Dersenish Aresandiran.
“This marks an important step forward for Sarawak’s tourism journey ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” STB said.
The BST programme, it added, offered exclusively by Malaysia Airlines, is designed to encourage international travellers to discover more of Malaysia during their trip.
“Passengers flying into the country on international tickets can add an extra domestic destination at no additional fare – paying only the applicable taxes.
“With Kuching’s inclusion, Sarawak becomes the first and only Bornean destination in the programme, expanding its reach beyond Peninsular Malaysia,” it said.
STB added that this outcome stems from the partnership between the Board and MAG, formalised in 2024 to enhance air connectivity and joint tourism promotion in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, and Kuching’s inclusion in the BST programme reflects a key result of this collaboration.
“By being part of the BST programme, Sarawak is positioned as the natural gateway to Borneo, offering international visitors experiences anchored in its CANFF pillars of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals,” it said.
Meanwhile, Sharzede said the inclusion in the programme reflects the strong partnership STB have built with MAG since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2024.
“This milestone demonstrates how collaboration with our national carrier can create real opportunities for Sarawak, by making it easier for international travellers to include us in their journey.
“Through this initiative, Sarawak is broadening its international reach and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism growth as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” she said.
At MATTA Fair KL, which starts today until this Sunday at MITEC, Sarawak will showcase its diverse attractions through 19 exhibitors, cultural performances, live demonstrations and exclusive travel deals.
Visitors can also enjoy traditional ‘sape’ music, the haunting sounds of the nose flute, and hands-on craft demonstrations in tattoo artistry, batik, and indigenous handicrafts, alongside family-friendly activities such as games, trivia, giveaways, and limited-edition souvenirs at the Sarawak Pavilion.
