By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, June 24:BIMP-EAGA holds strong potential to unlock new opportunities in cruise tourism, medical tourism, halal and green initiatives, as well as creative industries that showcase the region’s cultural richness, as Sarawak prepares to take on a key leadership role in advancing regional tourism cooperation.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that by leveraging technology, the region can further personalise travel experiences, improve eco-friendly operations, and ensure the tourism sector remains resilient, competitive and future-ready.
“I am glad that through collaboration between my Ministry and the BIMP-EAGA Sarawak Association (BESA), we are able to host this Tourism Exchange event today.
“It stands as a powerful symbol of our shared vision, our collective resolve, and our steadfast belief that tourism can evolve into a dynamic force for innovation, inclusivity and sustainability,” he said at the launch of the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Exchange 2026 (BETX2026) at The Waterfront Hotel here today.
Abdul Karim also highlighted Sarawak’s role in strengthening multi-destination travel across the Heart of Borneo and Coral Triangle regions, further reinforcing its position as a regional tourism hub.
In addition, Sarawak is currently chairing the BIMP-EAGA Tourism Cluster for the 2025–2027 term. The milestone was formalised at the 22nd BIMP-EAGA Tourism Cluster Meeting, which brought together representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen collaboration and advance inclusive tourism growth across the sub-region.
Meanwhile, more than 300 delegates are expected to attend the two-day exchange from June 24 to 25, comprising government officials, private sector players, academia and regional development partners.
The programme also features a dedicated B2B networking platform connecting industry players, government representatives and regional partners from all four member countries to foster collaboration and unlock business opportunities.
Key discussions will focus on regional tourism connectivity, digital transformation, sustainable tourism development and cross-border collaboration.
BETX2026 serves as a platform for business matching, investment opportunities and knowledge sharing aimed at strengthening tourism competitiveness across the subregion, in line with BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 and ASEAN tourism frameworks.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee, MTCP Permanent Secretary Morshidi Frederick, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines Tanya Rabat Tan, Tourism Development Department of Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism senior officer Emmilia Watiqah, BIMP-EAGA Sarawak Association (BESA) president Nobel Pang, and BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre (FC) representative Jasmine Syazwan. — DayakDaily
