Sarawak: Your Gateway to Borneo adventure awaits

The Gateway to Borneo campaign has strengthened with a new agreement between the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Scoot, and the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS).

Signed at ITB Asia, the tripartite agreement aims to position Sarawak as a prime “bleisure” destination—combining business and leisure opportunities for Singapore’s outbound travel market.

“This partnership harnesses Singapore’s global influence, creating a pathway for international travellers to experience Sarawak’s unique offerings,” said Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

By tapping into Singapore’s strategic role in global travel, the collaboration will bring Sarawak’s natural and cultural attractions closer to the international stage.

New flights boost accessibility to Sarawak

Scoot has expanded its services, offering 14 weekly flights from Singapore to three key destinations in Sarawak.

This includes daily flights to Kuching on an A320 aircraft with 180 seats, along with four weekly flights to Miri and three to Sibu, both operated by 112-seat Embraer 190 E2s.

To encourage travel, Scoot is offering special roundtrip economy fares to Sibu at SGD228 during October. In November, fares to Miri and Kuching will be available at SGD219 and SGD166, respectively.

“Scoot is committed to enhancing connectivity between Sarawak, Singapore, and beyond,” said Scoot Chief Commercial Officer Calvin Chan.

“Our renewed partnership with STB and STATOS will allow more travellers to discover Sarawak’s diverse landscapes and cultures.”

Sarawak’s appeal as a “Bleisure” Hub

A Sarawak Bleisure Networking Session, held alongside ITB Asia, showcased Sarawak as an ideal destination for “bleisure”—catering to business travellers seeking a mix of professional engagement and leisure experiences.

Organised in collaboration with Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak) and STATOS, the event brought together travel professionals, tour operators, and media representatives to explore Sarawak’s potential as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising Sarawak’s dedication to accessible, immersive travel experiences.

“This agreement with Scoot and STATOS aligns with our vision of making Sarawak more accessible to global travellers, while showcasing the unique cultural and natural experiences our region has to offer.”

Sarawak’s dedication to sustainable tourism was also a focal point of the networking session, echoing a global shift towards eco-conscious travel.

From cultural exchanges to responsible wildlife exploration, Sarawak’s offerings resonate with travellers who seek meaningful experiences alongside business trips.

Sarawak has set an ambitious target of attracting four million visitors in 2024.

With support from strategic campaigns in Singapore and events like ITB Asia, the Gateway to Borneo initiative is poised to play a critical role in reaching this goal.

By building on Sarawak’s unique position as a “Gateway to Borneo,” the initiative is opening doors for new business partnerships and drawing global attention to the natural and cultural wonders of Borneo.