Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1186854
10 | MALAYSIA SARAWAK: EXPLORE MULTI-ETHNIC EXOTIC CULTURES Located on Borneo Island is Sarawak, the "Land of Hornbills" teeming with abundant natural assets, exotic wildlife and rich cultural heritage. As Malaysia's largest state, Sarawak has been earmarked by the federal government for her potential in business tourism. It is fast emerging as Asia's next destination to watch in the international meetings industry in addition to gaining traction and appeal to incentive groups in the region and beyond. The driving force responsible for elevating the state's presence in the MICE scene is Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), which has been actively positioning Sarawak as one of the leading second-tier destinations in Asia Pacific. In 2018, Sarawak won 59 business events that packed the state's calendar till 2022. Currently taking the 32nd spot on ICCA's global city rankings, infrastructure for business events has grown from strength to strength to match demands. For many planners, the award-winning Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) remains top of choice, having hosted esteemed events such as the 55th ICCA Congress in 2016. Perched among the tranquility of the rainforest, smaller groups can book one of the 14 meeting rooms, or pack 5,000 into the 2,793sqm Great Hall. Business event planners are now also able to include neighbouring cities, Sibu and Miri, into their incentives experience, following BESarawak's 2019 announcement to expand destination coverage. MEET Right next to BCCK is UCSI Hotel Kuching, an alternative for planners who prefer more intimate settings such as the 16-storey building's infinity pool overlooking the iconic Sarawak River. Delegates can also easily hop on post-conference arranged shuttle rides to the tourism belt of old Kuching city centre, which houses international chain hotels the likes of Pullman and Hilton. For stunning sunset views overlooking the Sarawak River, Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel Astana Wing are popular choices. To keep your events and accommodation under one roof, the Hotel Pullman Kuching hosts up to 3,000, while Riverside Majestic (right next door to its Astana Wing) accommodates 1,400. STAY FAST FACTS In 2018, Sarawak hosted 39 bid wins and supported 22 business events. Its capital Kuching ranks 32nd in Asia Pacific based on ICCA's 2018 report. This places Kuching as the highest-ranked city in Malaysia as a second-tier destination. Sarawak offers over 3,500 rooms through 24 business and luxury hotels with meeting facilities mostly around its capital city Kuching. Kuching is only 1 hour 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur by flight.