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SCB All Out To Carve Niche In MICE Market
June 13, 2012
‘SCB all out to carve niche in MICE market’
Posted on June 13, 2012, Wednesday
BRAND LAUREATE: Taib receives the Brand Laureate Award from Dr Leo (third right). Also seen are Abang Johari (second left) and members of SCB board of directors.
KUCHING: The ‘Routes Development Contention for Asia Convention’ in 2014 is among the main conventions that will take place here as the state continues to cement its place as an attractive location in the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) market.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said this yesterday, revealed that the city can expect a busy two years ahead as numerous other conventions such as the ‘International Dentist Conference’ make their way here.
“The next two years will see the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and various hotels here fully booked for conventions. This is a result of the government’s relentless effort to promote the state in the international market while at the same time attracting more quality tourists.
“Globally, we have been recognised as a new player in the MICE market. The Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) will continue its effort to position the state as a destination for conventions and exhibitions,” he told reporters after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the latter’s office in Wisma Pelita here.
The visit was to present Taib with ‘The Brand Laureate Country Branding Award 2011-2012’ recently awarded to SCB. Also present were SCB managing director Mike Cannon and members of its board of directors, SCB chairman Dato Sri Dr Leo Michael Toyad, Tourism Ministry permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok and Tourism Malaysia state director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali.
Abang Johari, who is also Housing Minister, added that the state would also be working together with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Myceb) at the national level to penetrate the global MICE market.
Meanwhile, Cannon said winning the Routes Asia Conference bid was a very big leap for the state.
MICE RECOGNITION: Cannon holds the ‘The Brand Laureate Country Branding Award 2011-2012’ awarded to SCB.
“This is particularly so as it brings all the airline executives from around South East Asia and the Pacific, where the idea is to improve links and connectivity between Sarawak and the rest of the world and not only Asia. It is a good opportunity, it’s a good win,” he said.
On the success rate of its biddings, he said SCB expected to host about 65 conventions out of the total it had bade for.
To date, he disclosed that SCB had won 168 bids since its inception in 2006.
Cannon also mentioned that Kuching was ranked second as a convention city in Asia and 27th worldwide.
SCB was recently presented with ‘The Brand Laureate Country Branding Award 2011-2012’ for playing a pivotal role in promoting the state and country as a leading destination in the area of business events, tourism and business investments.
The Brand Laureate Best Brands Award took place on May 8 at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa in Selangor, and was aimed to honour brand excellence amongst the best of brands in Malaysia and the world.
