By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 20: Over 150,000 Bruneians visited Sarawak monthly in 2024, underscoring Miri’s strategic importance as a gateway for international visitors, says Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“With its proximity to Brunei, Miri benefits from a steady influx of visitors. These numbers are crucial for reaching our targets,” he said, referring to the State’s target of achieving five million tourist arrivals this year.
He said this during the opening ceremony of the Miri Gong Xi Bazaar 2025 at the Old Miri Resident Office last night (Jan 19).
At the same time, the minister also acknowledged the role of events like the Gong Xi Bazaar in boosting tourism.
“Miri is among the most ethnically diverse divisions in Sarawak. While Kuching has the Malay, Chinese, Bidayuh, and Iban communities, Miri stands out with its richness in Orang Ulu ethnicities such as the Kelabit, Lun Bawang, Penan, and Kedayan, alongside the Chinese, Malay, and Melanau communities.
“This diversity is what makes Sarawak special—a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures that offers so much to visitors,” he said.
Reflecting on past achievements, Abdul Karim shared that Sarawak consistently exceeded its tourism targets over recent years.
In 2022, the State set a goal of two million tourists post-pandemic and successfully achieved it. The 2023 target of three million was also surpassed by year-end.
For 2024, the target was raised to four million, which was met by mid-November, culminating in a record-breaking 4.8 million visitors by December 31.
“Last year was a remarkable year for us, and we are very blessed. With the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, setting a five million target for 2025, I am confident we can achieve this with strong collaboration among city councils, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and other agencies,” he said.
Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang; and Miri Gong Xi Bazaar 2025 co-organising chairman Vincent Lu Yew Hee were also present. — DayakDaily
