SRI AMAN: The annual Benak Festival has become a key pillar of Sri Aman’s tourism industry and a significant contributor to the local economy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the event held annually since 1999 will continue to attract visitors and tourists from outside Sarawak and Malaysia.
“It serves as one of the methods to strengthen the local economy in Sri Aman, particularly in the town of Simanggang.
“To our visitors from outside Sarawak and overseas, I would like to welcome you all to Simanggang, which annually hosts the only Tidal Bore Festival in Malaysia’,” said Abang Johari.
He said this in his speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the opening of the 2024 Sri Aman Benak Festival today.
He also said that the tourism sector, which contributes between 7 to 8 per cent to Sarawak’s economy, is seen as having great potential to drive Sarawak’s economy forward from now until 2030 and beyond.
“Last year, Sarawak received 3.92 million tourists, contributing RM9.99 billion to Sarawak’s revenue, equivalent to 7.11 per cent of Sarawak’s total income.
“As reported in the last Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, from January to October this year, the number of tourists to Sarawak reached 3.98 million, generating a revenue of RM10.27 billion,” he said.
Therefore, he said based on these figures, it is undeniable that the tourism sector must be prioritised to generate the local economy and the overall Sarawak economy.
“Through the Benak Festival, Simanggang has made significant efforts to boost the economy of Sri Aman, alongside other initiatives such as infrastructure development, particularly under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA),” said Abang Johari.
