By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 19: Sarawak is on track to achieve a record in visitor arrivals this year, with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts keeping its fingers crossed on hitting the ambitious five million mark, as tourism receipts have already exceeded RM10 billion from January to October.
Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that October alone drew 414,225 visitors, including 212,250 foreigners, generating RM1.043 billion in tourism receipts.
“Sarawak is an island, and all arrivals, whether by air, land, or sea, go through immigration checks. These figures are confirmed by the Immigration Department, whose latest data we received yesterday (Nov 17),” he said in his pre-recorded speech posted on his social media when addressing the We Are Kindred (WAK) 2025 Festival appreciation dinner at a hotel here on Tuesday night (Nov 18).
He noted that, except for September, monthly tourism receipts from January to October have exceeded RM1 billion.
“As of October, we have amassed more than RM10 billion in tourism receipts. That is why hoteliers, especially in Kuching, are very happy. The figures don’t go into the government, they flow into the community, into restaurants, hotels, and the craft industry, making many people in this sector very happy,” he added.
Abdul Karim expressed hope that Sarawak could surpass its previous highest visitor arrival record of 4.8 million, with incoming tourists from Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, and other countries in November and December helping to achieve the five million target.
“We hope to achieve the five million visitor arrivals target, even though I have my reservations as we only have two months left,” he said.
Abdul Karim lauded the WAK Festival for its role in boosting tourism and positioning Sarawak as a creative hub.
“The month of October, where we held our WAK events, has helped boost visitor numbers, thanks to the festival events we were able to showcase,” he said.
Since its inception in 2017, the WAK Festival has grown into one of Sarawak’s most significant cultural platforms.
Abdul Karim praised the festival for fostering collaboration, showcasing local talent, and uniting communities under one roof.
“What started as a bold idea has flourished into one of the most significant cultural platforms. Creativity is no longer confined to galleries or stages, it has become part of our daily rhythm,” he said.
He also highlighted the festival’s expansion into Sibu and Miri, noting that WAK has evolved into a cultural ecosystem that nurtures talent, strengthens communities, attracts visitors, and positions Sarawak as a natural home for creativity.
Looking ahead, Abdul Karim said WAK would continue to play a defining role in shaping Sarawak’s creative industry, serving as a platform for innovation, cultural expression, and meaningful collaboration.
“It will continue to shine as a beacon of hope, of who we are, a people united in diversity, rooted in heritage and filled with creative purpose and promise,” he added. — DayakDaily
