Northstar

Destination Sarawak JUL-AUG 2018 41 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Away from the city, nature itineraries and rural tourism activities for corporate groups are thriving WORDS NAOMI NEOH Natural strengths The gateway to Borneo's pristine rainforests, mountains and waterfalls, Sarawak's natural strengths lie within close reach of urban development – a boon for planners looking to add a sustainability and community focus. Breathtaking nature settings and rural tourism activities for corporate groups are part of the state's push to develop its nature agenda to capture the MICE segment. Taking the lead, Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) identied the rural community of Kampung Sting in Bengoh Valley as the focus of its pioneering corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in conjunction with the Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) 2018. As part of community outreach eorts, SCB was involved in the construction of a chapel at the resettled Bidayuh village of Kampung Sting as well as contributing basic homestay facilities to support the village's shift from agriculture to ecotourism. Located an hour out from Kuching, planners can consider partnering with CPH Travel Agencies for a visit to the Bengoh Valley, home to the three-tiered Kling and Sunsung waterfalls. The journey includes traversing traditional bamboo bridges, sweeping views of mountains, valleys and black pepper farms on the surrounding Bengoh Lake. Improved access to the village now means groups can reach after a 15-minute boat ride across the Bengoh Lake instead of an eight-hour hike. There, groups can chip in with CSR activities targeted to help improve areas such as waste and wastewater management. A good vantage For a spot of o-the-beaten track action, groups can head to the northeastern corner of Sarawak to Bario Highlands, a highland plateau that sits more than 1,000m above sea level that is home to the Kelabit tribe. Give delegates an authentic experience with visits to the longhouses and a trek to a salt spring to understand traditional salt making methods. The highlands was picked as the destination for Volvo's recent CSR initiative. Ba Kelalan, a village part of the Kelabit Highlands. Groups can visit the Bengoh Valley, an hour out from Kuching. PHOTO CREDIT: CHIN MEE POON/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Gunung Gading National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL TSAU, SARAWAK FORESTRY

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