KUCHING: Young people should play a greater role in shaping Sarawak’s tourism and creative economy through creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, said Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
He said creativity was no longer confined to the arts but had become an important driving force in tourism, hospitality, cultural experiences, digital storytelling, events, gastronomy and destination branding.
“We want our young people to see themselves not only as participants in the tourism and hospitality industry, but also as creators of experiences, designers of narratives, and contributors to the creative economy,” he said when officiating at the PATA Youth Symposium, held in conjunction with the 4th Education in Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2026 at UCSI Hotel Kuching today (Aug 17).
Themed “Empowering Youth for a Creative, Sustainable, and Inclusive Tourism & Hospitality Future”, the symposium attracted about 280 delegates from local and international universities, industry practitioners, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) members and other stakeholders.
Snowdan said Sarawak was well positioned to develop creative tourism experiences due to its rich cultural diversity, heritage, performing arts traditions and communities.
“Our rich cultural diversity, heritage, performing arts traditions and living communities provide a strong foundation for the development of creative tourism experiences that are authentic, meaningful and globally competitive,” he said.
He also highlighted the Culinaire Challenge, a community engagement initiative at Kampung Belimbing Darul Islam in Padawan, and the International Youth Business Events Pitching Competition, supported by Business Events Sarawak, as platforms for youth to gain practical experience in culinary tourism, community engagement and business events.
Snowdan said collaboration between government, academia, industry and communities was essential in developing talent, encouraging innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth.
He also urged young delegates to engage with industry professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and communities and to be confident in sharing their ideas.
“Do not be afraid to share your ideas, no matter how small they may seem. Often, the most impactful innovations begin with simple observations and bold imagination,” he said.
He said the younger generation would play an important role in determining how Sarawak’s culture was expressed and how tourism experiences were created in the future.
