SANTUBONG: Sarawak is experiencing a major tourism boom, with the state recording over RM1 billion in tourism receipts each month over the past four months.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said, this trend highlights Sarawak’s rising popularity as a travel destination.
It also reflects the success of ongoing promotional efforts, improved connectivity and diverse tourism offerings, he said.
“This is a clear indication of Sarawak’s growing appeal both domestically and internationally. To sustain this momentum, we will continue enhancing visitor experiences while promoting Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage, eco-tourism, and vibrant festivals,” he said after his walkabout on the second day of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) today.
He said the ministry is optimistic the upward trend will persist, especially with several major events and festivals lined up in the coming months.
“Now it’s already June … for the last four months, from the number of visitors who came to Sarawak, the tourism receipt is more than RM1 billion a month.
“When I say tourism receipt, the spin-off going into the hospitality, travel and transportation, travel services, attractions and experiences, Eco and adventure tourism, food and beverage, retail and souvenirs, media, marketing and tech, support services and many others.
“That’s the reason why we do not look at just RWMF per se, how much we are making from the ticket sales, no. That is the reason why the ministry is prepared to come up with so many events, whether it’s musical events, cultural events, food events in the whole of Sarawak,” he said.
Abdul Karim, said in 2024 alone, the ministry has supported 294 events.
“Imagine, in one year, we have got 365 days and 294 events had been organised in a year alone, it’s almost every week. It’s part of our effort to bring in many events, because we know when visitors come in, they will contribute to the industry, the tourism industry. It’s a very huge industry which could benefit everyone involved in the industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer, Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor said the impact of tourism receipts must be seen over the long term.
“From a digital point of view, the reach, the views of how many people, how many millions of people know about Sarawak. They may not come now, but they are aware of Sarawak. They know what is happening, that will excite them. It will be the one that will trigger future visitors coming into Sarawak. It’s not immediate, but that’s the impact of it,” said Sharzede.
On the success of the RWMF, now in its 28th year, Abdul Karim said, the iconic event continues to make waves globally, with a resounding success and renewed energy recorded this year.
“I would say it is a success. We will only know after we do the post-mortem after tomorrow.
“As it is, from the numbers here yesterday and from what we are seeing today, from about 8,000 to 10,000 per day, and also, from the ones from outside Sarawak, we can see there are more this year, and there is this trend that we see, many of them bringing their families, which in some way is very, very good, because we love to see parents bringing in their families, it creates good family bonding.
“If you are to see it in terms of numbers, those participating in the festival, the cultural part, the sales, the food, the crafts, I would say it is very, very successful,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were his deputy minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Datu Sherrina Husaini and Sharzede.
