By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 31: The iconic Niah Caves in Sarawak, recently recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be developed as one of Malaysia’s flagship heritage tourism attractions under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13MP framework in Parliament today, announced that Sarawak is among four states alongside Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, to be prioritised under the Strategic Tourism Investment Zones (STIZ) initiative.
“These zones will serve as catalysts for the creation of new tourism products based on artistic, cultural and heritage assets, as well as natural attractions such as the Lenggong Valley and Gua Niah, both recognised by UNESCO,” he said.
The move is set to boost Sarawak’s profile on the global tourism map while generating economic spillover for local communities, particularly in Miri Division where Gua Niah is located.
Tourism, Anwar noted, has bounced back strongly with RM102.2 billion in foreign tourist spending recorded in 2024, and STIZ developments are part of a broader strategy to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and raise the tourism sector’s contribution to 16 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In addition to Gua Niah’s elevation, the federal government is also enhancing tourism sustainability by strengthening the homestay industry, ensuring that rural communities across Sarawak and beyond benefit from the growth of the sector.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a renewed push to grow the digital creative industry under the orange economy, with RM6.3 billion in revenue and RM850 million in exports already generated. New matching and co-production funds will be introduced to boost globally competitive content creation. – DayakDaily
