SIBU: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is actively promoting the unique charm of Sarawak’s multi-ethnic traditional festivals to the international community.
Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said they were especially promoting Sarawak’s Dayak culture to better reach the international tourism market, including implementing homestay programmes in longhouse areas, allocating more resources to training, all to showcase Sarawak’s many unique tourism and cultural assets that will deliver the best experiences to travellers.
"We are in it together to forge a brighter future together. The homestay programme will be able to effectively help villagers develop more diversified sources of income and improve the standards of living for our Dayak compatriots," Tiong said in his Gawak message on Friday (May 31).
In order for the homestay programmes to be successsfully, he called on the community to offer their best hospitality and cordial welcomes to tourists, making them feel at home when they visit from all across the world.
The harvest festival (Gawai), he said, could act like a vibrant interactive museum, featuring the ancient wisdom and customs of the Dayak to co-exist with nature.
"Let visitors explore and experience the civilisation of the Dayak and other Sarawak ethnic groups to showcase the pride and charms of Sarawak on the world stage.
"The harvest festival therefore is a day for us to reunite," he said.
Tiong said he encourages his friends from Peninsular Malaysia to spend time and enjoy the delights of the festival with the Dayak community during the festival.
"We look forward to taking part in rich and meaningful cultural rituals, feasting on authentic local cuisine, singing, dancing, and being joyous with each other’s fortunes.
"Such scenes are replayed year after year but they are irreplaceable and unique each time. One is moved just thinking about the festivities to come.
"In this harvest season, let us sing our yearning for a better future around the Pohon Ranyai, manifest the fruits of national unity, respect, and mutual tolerance and may Sarawak continue to reap good prosperity forever," he added.
