THE Sarawak Government is strengthening the Divisional Tourism Task Groups (DTTGs) as part of a statewide strategy to accelerate tourism development and ensure greater grassroots participation.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, said the DTTG has become a key mechanism in coordinating tourism product development.
“The platform adopts a bottom-up approach, allowing industry players, government agencies, and community representatives to highlight the issues that directly affect their divisions.
“Through this approach, the ministry is able to plan and implement tourism programmes more effectively, ensuring they align with the specific needs and priorities of each Division,” he said in response to the question from Krian assemblyman Friday Belik at the DUN sitting on Wednesday (Nov 26).
Ting stressed that the DTTG’s role extends beyond coordinating programmes to identifying major events that can elevate local tourism performance.
“It plays a key role in identifying and planning significant events that can attract visitors to the respective divisions.”
Furthermore, he said residents who chair the DTTGs also serve as members of the Sarawak Tourism Coordination Committee (STCC), which meets three times a year.
“Matters that cannot be resolved at the divisional level are escalated to the STCC, where state and federal agencies deliberate on solutions.
“Through this mechanism, issues raised by the divisions are addressed in consultation with the relevant authorities.”
Additionally, he said to enhance the effectiveness of DTTGs, the ministry has increased their annual grant from RM5,000 to RM10,000.
“This increase supports the planning and facilitation of local tourism programmes, events and activities.”
Sarawak is also taking steps to protect its unique cultural assets where several Divisional Signature Events have been registered with Intellectual Property (IP) protection to ensure their authenticity and safeguard their ownership.
“To safeguard Sarawak’s ownership of its significant events, we continue to organise regular briefing sessions for the DTTGs.
“These sessions provide essential knowledge on copyright, trademarks, geographical indications and the protection of traditional cultural expressions.”
He added that protecting Sarawak’s unique identity is crucial as the State expands its tourism offerings.
“We want our divisions to be well-equipped to protect Sarawak’s culture, heritage and signature events effectively.”
To encourage innovation and fresh ideas, DTTG chairmen are also invited to join ministry delegations to major international tourism events such as ITB Berlin and the World Travel Market London.
“Their participation provides valuable exposure that can help enhance tourism infrastructure and product development at the divisional level.”
Ting said all these initiatives; funding support, IP awareness, international exposure and stronger multi-agency coordination, are part of the Sarawak government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable tourism development.
“We want every division to grow together, and strengthening the DTTGs is one of the most effective ways to ensure that tourism benefits reach the grassroots.”
