Paul Strachan, the founder of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company that manages Pandaw Cruise, the first river cruise in Borneo, which started operation yesterday, likens the cruise realisation as winning a lottery.

"It's like winning a lottery the moment the deal was struck with Sarawak government," he said at the official launch of the cruise recently.

He said he visited Sibu in April at the invitation of Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh on the possibility of conducting a river cruise along the majestic Rajang River.

"Together with my family, we took the trip along the Rajang until Baleh River. We spent a real terrific time witnessing the natural beauty of Sarawak.

"Coupled with the warmth and hospitality of the people here, and the unique culture of the Iban, including the fascinating longhouses along the river, it gave me a feeling that the cruise will be a good investment."

Strachan said they had been looking for new destination throughout the world and Rajang River obviously fit into that bill.

"We are grateful to Wong and also Sarawak Tourism Board for giving us all the support to enable us to set up the first ever river cruise in Borneo."

He said there were not so much obstacles along the Rajang River while easy access to Sibu also contributed to their decision to invest in Sarawak.

He admitted that there were lots of interesting places to see along the Rajang, and the diversity of Iban culture would also make the trip a memorable one.

He said they would continue to aggressively promote the cruise for the high-end market in Europe.

"Thus far, response has been very encouraging from European tourists. We hope to get an average of 1,000 tourists to join the cruise annually.

"Hopefully, this will help stimulate the state economy as the cruise will help produce a multiplier effect on related businesses such as hotels and eateries.

"The rural people can also make use of the opportunity to sell native products to the tourists upon arrival of the cruise ship at each ‘port' of call along the river," he said.

He was confident that the cruise would help put Sibu on the world tourism map.

--TheBorneoPost