INDIA: Sarawak is intensifying efforts to position itself as a key nature and culture destination for Indian travellers as part of broader preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), following its participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 in Mumbai.
Sarawak’s participation was led by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, alongside Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and STB Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor, reflecting the state’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the Indian travel market.
According to a press release from the Sarawak Tourism Board, India has been identified as a priority growth market under Malaysia’s target of welcoming 43 million international visitors for VMY2026, with a national target of attracting two million Indian arrivals.
It stated that Sarawak’s engagement at OTM 2026 comes amid growing market interest, including an eight per cent increase in demand from India, positioning the state to contribute meaningfully to national tourism targets through sustained and quality growth.
Abdul Karim also delivered a keynote intervention during the OTM 2026 inaugural session, highlighting Sarawak’s readiness to respond to evolving outbound travel trends while strengthening its visibility among international travel industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Sharzede participated as a panelist in the OTM Forum session entitled ‘Beyond the Usual: Mapping Where Indian Travellers Will Go Next’, where she shared insights on Sarawak’s destination readiness and tourism product development strategies aimed at attracting the next wave of Indian travellers.
At the exhibition, Sarawak promoted its tourism strengths through its core pillars of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals (CANFF), with emphasis placed on immersive and heritage-driven experiences that appeal strongly to Indian travellers.
STB also noted that iconic attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mulu National Park and Niah National Park were among the highlights presented as part of Sarawak’s experience-led tourism offerings.
Prior to the exhibition, the Sarawak delegation also conducted strategic visits to strengthen diplomatic and academic ties, including a courtesy call on the Consulate General of Malaysia in Mumbai and an academic collaboration initiative with Somaiya Vidyavihar University alongside UCSI University Sarawak Campus to promote education tourism.
The collaboration aims to strengthen hospitality, tourism and culinary arts development through faculty and student exchanges as well as joint research initiatives.
OTM 2026 served as a platform for Sarawak to enhance destination visibility, strengthen trade partnerships and expand market access in India, as the state continues to position itself as Malaysia’s gateway to Borneo ahead of VMY2026.
