by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 2: Sarawak’s position as one of Malaysia’s main tourism gateways continues to gain momentum, with key entry points in northern Sarawak such as Miri Airport and the Sungai Tujoh international land route.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Chiew Choon Man said these infrastructures underscore Sarawak’s capability to accommodate increasing visitor arrivals, particularly in the northern region, following the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
“There are 55 strategic entry points nationwide, including Sarawak’s Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri airports. We are also organising welcome receptions at land routes such as Sungai Tujoh for the arrival of visitors,” he said, according to a report by TVS.
Chiew was speaking at Tourism Malaysia’s Welcome Reception held in conjunction with the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 at Miri Airport yesterday evening.
In a related development, he said Malaysia recorded more than 38 million international visitors as of November 2025. For VMY2026, the government is targeting 43 million international arrivals.
In a separate TVS report, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts and Piasau State Assemblyman (ADUN) Datuk Sebastian Ting expressed confidence that Sarawak that 2026 will be a better year for Sarawak’s tourism industry with the support of all parties including industry players and media partners.
Ting informed that Sarawak recorded 4.4 million visitors, which is close to the target of five million visitors for last year.
The VMY2026 celebration is expected to further strengthen the position of northern Sarawak, including Miri and its surrounding areas, as one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
During the special welcoming event yesterday, visitors arriving at the Miri Airport arrivals hall were welcomed with a range of activities and entertainment, including traditional and contemporary cultural performances highlighting Malaysia’s diverse heritage.
Arriving travellers also received exclusive VMY2026-themed souvenirs, including key chains featuring the campaign’s official mascots, Wira and Manja, as well as vouchers, food and beverage products, and promotional items contributed by strategic partners such as the Sarawak Tourism Board and Business Events Sarawak. – DayakDaily
