Tie knot in Miri

TWENTY international couples will be tying the knot on August 10 in Sarawak’s first international mass wedding ceremony in Miri
city.

But it is all part of an elaborate promotional scheme by the state tourism board. The couples are already legally married with either spouse working in a travel agency or a travel publication. It was the main criteria set by the organisers, Sarawak Tourism Board and Miri City Council, as they hope to further promote the destination through these writers and travel agents.

Sarawak Tourism Board marketing manager, Ms Mary Wan Mering, said: “The idea is to create a nostalgic and memorable moment for the couples, and the pre- and post-tour packages are to show them what the state has to offer to tourists.”

One of the couples getting married is travel agent, Ms Lorraine Novich, and physician, Mr Matt Welter, from the US.

Ms Novich said: “We are participating because it sounds like great fun. I have always wanted to visit Malaysia. I have never been to Malaysia, but I am really looking forward to meeting the people, practising some Malay, and learning more about the culture...and eating some delicious food!”

The mass wedding will be held at the four-star Park City Everly Hotel. Pre- and post-tour programmes include Mulu Caves, Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort and Niah National Park.

Sarawak Tourism Board will make this an annual event. Miri City Council mayor, Datuk Wee Han Wen, said: “We want to use this event to promote Miri as a destination for honeymooners, other than being just a destination for culture, adventure and nature.”
About 1,000 guests, friends and relatives of the couples are expected to attend the ceremony. This is good news for hoteliers in Miri as room occupancies during this low season are usually in the mid-60s. Miri has 1,174 rooms of three- to five-star ranking.

(By S. Puvaneswary)