By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 23: Sarawak is on track to surpass four million tourist arrivals by year-end, but achieving its five-million target remains uncertain amid global travel challenges, says Datuk Amar Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak said tourist arrivals reached about 3.5 million as of September, and the final quarter is expected to push the figure beyond four million.
“By the end of December, we should surpass four million. I can guarantee that. However, whether we can reach five million remains to be seen,” he told reporters after officiating the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta on behalf of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Kuching Waterfront today.
Abdul Karim said he initially doubted Sarawak could reach the five-million target because of the conflict in the Middle East and rising airfares.
However, he said the outlook became more encouraging after September, raising hopes that the state could still reach its target.
Despite the uncertainty over visitor numbers, he said tourism receipts had remained encouraging, exceeding RM1 billion monthly from January to September.
He said visitors attending international conferences and similar events appeared to be spending more, contributing positively to tourism receipts.
“We may not achieve the five-million visitor target, but if tourism receipts continue to increase significantly, that would also be a satisfactory outcome,” he said.
Abdul Karim said Sarawak had not anticipated the Middle East conflict or the surge in oil prices, which triggered a ripple effect on airfares.
Nevertheless, he said he was satisfied with the State’s visitor arrivals and tourism receipts, noting that Sarawak’s position as a natural resource-producing state differentiated it from states in Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, he said Kuching was seeing an influx of visitors as several international events coincided with the city’s annual festivals, with hotels reportedly fully booked.
Abdul Karim said coordinating these international gatherings with the Sarawak Regatta, International Dragon Boat Festival and other festivals had helped create a vibrant atmosphere, particularly along the Kuching Waterfront.
Earlier, he officiated the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta, Borneo Craft Festival, Art Festival and Sarawak Entrepreneur Showcase on behalf of the Premier of Sarawak.
Also present were Perlis Chief Minister Abu Bakar Hamzah, Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and Datuk Snowdan Lawan, and other dignitaries. — DayakDaily
