Kota Kinabalu: Sabah wants to learn from Sarawak in setting up the planned 100-acre cultural heritage centre in Kinarut, said State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
This is because Sarawak had successfully created a one-stop centre showcasing the uniqueness of the state’s cultures.
Liew said the creative arts and crafts from diverse ethnic cultures in Sabah can become an attraction to both domestic and foreign tourists.
In this connection, she said, the State Museum has potential to be promoted as a tourist destination, particularly with the reopening of international travel following the Covid-19 pandemic.
SPONSORED CONTENT Over 20 units booked at The Horizon’s grand launch Kota Kinabalu: The grand launch of The Horizon at Damai saw a good response with more than 20 condominium units booked, Sunday. Read more She was officiating the Craft Exotica 2023 programme themed “Our Craft, Our Culture,” held at the State Museum here.
“Thus far, the museum has recorded more than 1,000 visitors and we expect the numbers to increase next year,” Liew said, adding her recent working visit to Xi’an, Shanghai, and Beijing provided insights into future prospects for tourism.
AirAsia also has plans to establish an office in Beijing to launch direct flights to Sabah.
“With these developments, we anticipate a surge in tourists to Sabah next year, and we need to upgrade the museum’s facilities to prepare for their arrival.”
The Craft Exotica programme, running from July 15 to 23, features an array of fascinating activities, including craft-making workshops, cultural shows, and traditional games.
Its aim is to promote understanding and raise awareness about local cultural heritage, with a special focus on traditional crafts and games created by various ethnic groups.
The programme fosters collaboration among craft entrepreneurs, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their products and talents.
“We hope this initiative will not only generate economic income for small craft entrepreneurs but also elevate Sabah’s craft industry to an international level,” Liew said.
She also expressed enthusiasm to use Sabah’s crafts as souvenirs to foreign guests during her overseas working visits.
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