By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 6: Sarawak witnesses an extraordinary 64.2 per cent spike in Chinese tourist arrivals from January to September 2026, welcoming 82,334 visitors compared to 50,131 during the same period last year.
According to a press statement by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) today, the sharp increase of 32,203 visitors highlighted a growing appetite among Chinese travellers for the destination, bolstered by strategic connectivity efforts between the STB and Royal Brunei Airlines (RB).
The broader North Asia market also mirrors this upward trajectory, recording 108,816 arrivals; a 40.3 per cent year-on-year jump.
To capitalise on this momentum, STB and RB rolled out a joint two-city business networking campaign in Beijing and Tianjin on October 27 to 29. The initiative marks the first collaborative trade activity between the two entities following their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at ITB China in May.
The programme connected three local Sarawak tourism operators directly with China-based travel trade partners, spotlighting the State’s diverse Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festivals (CANFF) offerings.
RB also showcased its transit connectivity via Bandar Seri Begawan to streamline travel access into Sarawak.
STB Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor noted that the impressive figures underscore the immense potential within the Chinese market.
“Working with Royal Brunei Airlines allows us to bring destination promotion and air connectivity together. Through these engagements, we hope to strengthen Sarawak’s visibility in China while creating more opportunities for our tourism partners to connect with the market,” she said. – DayakDaily
