KUCHING: The inclusion of Kuching as a member of the Hybrid City Alliance is expected to create a new value proposition for business events planners and increase Sarawak's destination appeal.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said making the state capital a hybrid city was an important development and in line with the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasised digital transformation to achieve economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
He said hybrid events, which combine virtual and physical events, would be a key example of how Sarawak's business events are proceeding with digital transformation.
"The modern world today requires us to adopt methods that will increase productivity and efficiency, and create a conducive enabling environment.
"While we accelerate our digital capabilities, there is still an emphasis on the importance of face-to-face meetings.
"Hybrid events will enhance the event experience and engagement, allowing greater reach to disseminate knowledge and create new regional and cross-continental partnerships," he said at the launch of Kuching as a member of the Hybrid City Alliance at the "Meet in Malaysia" roadshow held here today.
The "Meet in Malaysia" campaign was the brainchild of the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) to captivate engagement with the national business events industry and power its move to support recovery efforts.
MyCEB recently joined Hybrid City Alliance – a partnership launched in December 2020 to offer solutions for national and international events taking place across multiple cities. The partnership includes Kuching which will position the city as one of four knowledge capitals in the country for regional and international hybrid events.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said Malaysia through MyCEB has won 15 international conferences which will be held in the country from 2022 to 2030.
"We are expecting to see around 16,000 international delegates, contributing RM140 million in estimated economic impacts from the 15 international conferences."
Nancy said Sarawak has positioned itself as one of the leading destinations for the business events segment as it offers an alternative for those seeking humble authenticity far from the tourist-trap clichés.
"For the business events sector, Sarawak has a clear advantage in unparalleled content creation, innovative ideas, creativity, young energetic industry, and strategic industry support that made it a destination of choice for event organisers," she added.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said business of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions is not a social activity, but instead, an economic activity that contributes to the economic transformation of Malaysia and the world.
Besides tourism, other economic beneficiaries are sectors such as manufacturing, education, technology, and retail.
To date, Sarawak has secured 105 business events worth approximately RM332.1 million in total economic impact, RM20 million in tax revenue and 26,354 jobs.
