Kuching, the state capital, regularly hosts international conferences and corporate meetings and incentives. But now, Miri is drawing interest, especially for retreats, team-building and incentive tours, with soft adventure at the Mulu Caves.
“The main attraction for meeting and incentive groups is Mulu National Park in northern Sarawak,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
Citing the example of the Singapore Association for Continuing Education (SACE), she said: “Following the success of their first trip to Kuching in 2023, SACE held a two-day retreat for 39 seniors at Mulu National Park and [a] three-day team-building program in Miri this March.”
Mulu is a short flight from Miri, which in turn, is served by domestic flights from Kuching, Sibu, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu as well as having non-stop flights from Singapore.
The SACE group explored the park’s four caves and witnessed the fascinating exit of three million bats. They also visited the Penan settlement where they learned about the nomadic tribe’s hunter-gatherer way of life. This added a deeper layer of appreciation for Sarawak’s Indigenous heritage.
The group sampled tribal delicacies, including rice wine, and donned traditional attire for a cultural performance.
SACE donated more than 200 books to Batu Bungan National School, reaffirming its mission to empower communities and shape a more promising future for all.
Roziman explained that organisers can adopt ‘Books Build Legacy’, BESarawak’s CSR program.
“It is one way for the group to connect with the local community and make an impact while visiting Sarawak,” she said.
“There’s respect for nature and traditions, and a strong sense of collective responsibility towards community welfare,” noted Sherry Teo, membership director for SACE.
“BESarawak’s support throughout the retreat ensured that SACE had an immersive experience away from tourist traps, with life lessons to bring back home.”
Besides facilitating communication between planners and local suppliers, BESarawak provides financial grants for qualifying business events and may sponsor custom-made gifts, cultural performances, gala dinner decorations, team-building programs and event set-ups.
“Our team will be on the ground to help the groups. That is a key selling point of our meeting and incentive services,” said Roziman.
She added that BESarawak’s active participation at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) every year in Melbourne is translating into a growing interest and demand, particularly in incentive travel focused on culture and adventure.
“The SACE type of itinerary could work for Australasian groups looking for an original experience – strong tribal values coexisting with modernisation,” she said.
The group stayed at Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa and Pullman Miri Waterfront.
