Let me put things in one phrase “Borneo is Asia, Asia is Borneo”. Tell me what can’t you find in Borneo? Apart from being the biggest island in the world, Borneo is not only unique because it consist of 3 countries, but also because it boast of over 80 tribes and ethnics. Anyone care to beat those facts?
Because of that, a new website dedicated to Borneo was launched by Tan Sri Datuk Dr George Chan last Monday night, 1st February 2010. It’s called Wonderful Borneo and it specialized in one thing; BORNEO!
Acting as ‘the ultimate’ one stop Borneo portal, Wonderful Borneo has numerous sections including photo’s, videos, event calenders, and facts on Borneo. At the moment of this post, the website already has extensive coverage of Sarawak, and plans are on going to get more information about Sabah, Brunei, Labuan and Kalimantan. There is also a section for shopping, which I think is the first of it’s kind on a dedicated Borneo related portal. No more worries if you are overseas, because you can now order Borneo related merchandise through this Wonderful Borneo.
Anyway, the launch was held as one of Kuching’s top Indian food restaurant Sri Shan, and those attending were mostly from the tourism industry. I had the privilege to meet up with STB’s media representative Gustino, Danial of Borneo Colours, Peter of Sarawak Events, Emong Tinsang of Borneo Adventure, Andy Kho of Borneo Wow and the main person behind wonderful Borneo, Mr Shan K. Wong.
I could say the most interesting part of the whole launch was when Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan came to our table and said “So, you guys are the bloggers?” while sitting down immediately at an empty chair. With Kenny being the informal moderator, Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan started to express his ideas on what Sarawak could do in tourism. He said that bloggers have a huge role in promoting the state, and that he wasn’t worried about peak days, but he felt that there is a need to address the off season of tourism. Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan also said that Sarawak and Sabah shouldn’t compete with each other, but should work together as one, hence making Borneo a brand, and bloggers have to help in giving the whole tourism industry a buzz online. There was so much more Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan said while sipping his drink in his maroon batik shirt, but I think I’d stop there. He spent almost 30 minutes with us, and I trust me.. there was a lot he shared.
I’ve heard a few people say that Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan is very friendly, and I second that now after I’ve met him As a matter of fact, I didn’t even feel like he was someone ‘huge’ in Sarawak, because the way he chatted and talked to us was as if he was sitting down in a coffee shop, and talking to his buddies… and that includes the ‘hand waving gestures’, and the ‘frequent soft pat’ on Kenny and Danial’s knee.
With that said, I’d like to welcome www.WonderfulBorneo.com to the online community, and I hope that bloggers from Borneo will strive to make Borneo Island, the hub of tourism.