WiT Indie is the Web In Travel edition for independent travel champions, curators, movers and shakers. Strong conviction, clear vision, persistent (almost stubborn) action to make ideas happen. I left the event exhausted, but also awed, inspired, uplifted.
Notes I took down:
On tourism experience: Make historically significant sites like Fort Cornwallis significant in tourists’ memories, through sense-engaging experiences and actual stories from communities. Go beyond just a lifeless pile of bricks. And here’s a story about Fort Cornwallis.
(Left) Loh-Lim Lin Lee, Heritage Consultant, Historical & Social Researcher, Arkitek LLA, (Right) Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT
When the Japanese heavily bombed Georgetown even after the British have all fled, the locals climbed up to Fort Cornwallis, tore down the British flag, put up a white flag and shouted “we surrender we surrender!” Such stories should be there at these sites. (From Loh-Lim Lin Lee, Arkitek LLA)
On digital nomad: More countries are offering digital nomad visas including Malaysia’s DE Rantau visa. Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa has a validity of 5 years. (Arifah Sharifuddin, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC))
Arifah Sharifuddin, Head of Digital Tourism, MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation)
Sustainable tourism in Sabah: Sabah started as conservation site before tourism destination. The first national park in Malaysia was Kinabalu. There’s also Sepilok, Danum Valley, Sipadan, etc. Subsequently tourism comes in to sustain the conservation effort. The balance to juggle now is conservation-first AND fill up the rooms. (Noredah Othman, Sabah Convention Bureau)
Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Convention Bureau
On startups: Follow your belief, never mind the competition. Never believe the good words, never believe the bad words. Have a bit of stubbornness and rebellion. (Siew Hoon Yeoh, Web In Travel)
On branding: Xiaohongshu is a gift that keeps on giving. Your old posts will continue to engage.
(Dawn Jeremiah, Go City®)
Dawn Jeremiah, Vice President, Global Brand Marketing, Go City
On hospitality: It is about helping people to live a fuller life. (Doris Goh, COMO Hotels and Resorts)
Thank you WiT Indie and MDEC for having me at the panel discussion. And thank you everyone for the camaraderie, support, encouragement as we stride down creating amazing travel experiences for the world!
To know what amazing indie travels available in Malaysia, I consolidated my favourites at Remote Work Malaysia Facebook page.
(Left) Low Wan Xin, Founder, Wanderworks Lab and Remote Work Malaysia, (Right) Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT
