By DayakDaily Team
JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 16: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts plans to host six conferences involving Asean delegations to promote social and cultural activities, in line with Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship in 2025.
In a news report by TVS, Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced that Sarawak has been entrusted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) to lead these initiatives.
“Although Sarawak was not selected to lead tourism promotion for foreign visitors, the State, alongside others, continues to play a key role in showcasing Malaysia on the global stage.
“While Johor leads tourism promotion efforts, every state in Malaysia will contribute, directly or indirectly, to advancing and elevating tourism, especially with Malaysia preparing for Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” he said during the official launch of The Asean Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) 2025 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre yesterday (Jan 15).
While the details of the programmes are still being finalised, Abdul Karim emphasised that the Ministry has been tasked with organising six conferences throughout the year to strengthen these efforts.
After the launch, Abdul Karim, accompanied by Sarawak’s Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, visited the Sarawak Pavilion, which featured eight booths, including those from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
The pavilion’s purpose was to promote Sarawak to Asean tourists and international delegates.
Abdul Karim expressed confidence that Motac’s mandate will help Sarawak achieve its goal of attracting five million tourists and generating RM10 billion in tourism revenue this year.
“To meet this target, all industry players and relevant agencies must contribute by organising more programmes tailored to international tourists.
“Although this target is ambitious, I am confident that we can achieve it,” he added.
TRAVEX 2025, part of the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, runs from today through next Monday. — DayakDaily
