Sarawak’s major tourism events have continued attracting strong international participation this year, with several also earning recognition in the Guinness World Records and the Malaysia Book of Records.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak Countdown 2026 event attracted more than 40,000 attendees, including visitors from Brunei and Indonesia.
The event also saw Sarawak secure a Guinness World Record for a 1,706.7km drone relay.
“Headlined by regional icons Judika, KRU and Dayang Nurfaizah, the night ended in a pyrotechnic masterpiece, positioning Sarawak as the premier Gateway to Borneo for the year ahead.
“The Sibu International Powerboat Race 2026 also created history after recording 251 entries in the Malaysia Book of Records under the category ‘Most Powerboats in a Single Event’,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today (May 19).
Abdul Karim said Sarawak’s sport tourism sector continued gaining momentum through international events such as XTERRA Borneo Sarawak and Silabur Ultra Trail 2026.
He said XTERRA Borneo Sarawak in Sematan attracted over 365 athletes from 14 countries, marking a 35 per cent increase from last year.
Meanwhile, Silabur Ultra Trail 2026 in Serian recorded 581 participants, including 130 international athletes from 11 countries.
“The Miri Marathon recorded more than 7,900 runners, with 54 per cent from outside Sarawak, while the Kuching Marathon attracted over 14,000 participants, including 25 per cent non-Sarawakians,” he added.
Apart from sporting events, he said the ACG Concert 2026 at Stadium Perpaduan drew 2,491 attendees, including 294 international visitors from seven countries.
The concert featured Japanese dance group Avantgardey in their first Borneo appearance alongside a 57-piece orchestra and a 50-member choir.
