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SIBU, July 24: Sarawak is expected to experience a surge in the number of tourist arrivals this year, says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this was due to a number of international events lined up especially in Kuching, from now to December.
“From what I can see, we have gotten back to pre-Covid days. The number of tourist arrivals from January to June is more or less the same as in 2019 and 2018. Basically we are already on track (to achieve 3 million tourists in 2023),” he said at the closing of Borneo Cultural Festival here last night.
Abdul karim said it is now even more difficult to book hotel rooms in Kuching due to a series of events being held.
“We have just concluded our 60th Anniversary of Sarawak Independence Day.
“This coming week, we will have the national-level International Museum Day from July 31 to August 6 which will involve all states in the country. We will have thousands of participants in Kuching for the event.
“Kuching will play host to ASEAN International Film Festival from August 2 until 4 where local and international artistes from Southeast Asia will gather. South Korean star Rain is also coming to Kuching in the first week of August and he is expected to bring a lot of fans to Kuching.
“These events will continue until the end of the year when we will have Dragon Boat Race and Sarawak Regatta. We do hope many of those coming down to Kuching will also go to other places in Sarawak to extend their holidays,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim expressed optimism that the completion of the Sibu-Kapit road would also benefit the eco-tourism sector.
“We see a lot of potential that can be done especially in Sibu and other neighbouring towns that need Sibu as a gateway.
“When the Sibu-Kapit road is completed, we know there is going to be a new tourism product which will involve Sibu as well as the hinterlands,” he added.
He also hoped that with Sibu gaining more prominence in tourism, there would be more tourists coming to the town.
Among those present were Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I (Tourism) Dato Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government II Michael Tiang, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Lau and Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng. — DayakDaily
