Friday, August 25, 2006

Bollywood movie to give boost to Sarawak tourism industry

By George Francis

MIRI - Sarawak is expected to gain "royalty" in the form of foreign exchange as a new tourist destination for holiday makers from India after the release of a Bollywood movie to be filmed here and in Kuching in November.

Says the CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Gracie Geikie, "It is a form of marketing of Sarawak tourism to India, which is a new market, focusing on the many holiday makers below 35 years, among technocrats, professionals and the affluent.

She said the new generation of Indians would love to come to enjoy nature, open space, recreations and Sarawak's cultural diversity.

Beside the shooting of Bollywood movie "Let's Rock" that featured Sarawak entirely for millions of Indian audiences and world over, she said, the reward is viable for tourism money by strengthening of market position among the Indian tour and travel agents as well as having a New Delhi-based marketing consultant for STB.

With shooting of the film in Sarawak that will see some 20 Bollywood actors and actresses, there is a prospect of 25 local extras to be recruited for the film.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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