(Kuching, 20th) Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim, stated that Sarawak has the potential to become a leading regional and international tourism destination.
He said this can be achieved by prioritizing innovation, sustainability, and collaboration between industry stakeholders and the government.
He highlighted the crucial role of industry stakeholders like the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) in closely working with the state government to shape the future of Sarawak's tourism industry.
"The collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders like Matta is essential to ensure sustainable and impactful tourism development. Through hard work and innovation, we have made positive progress in increasing the number of tourists and diversifying tourism products."
Abdul Karim mentioned this while speaking at the Matta Sarawak Chapter's Chinese New Year Gala Dinner last night.
He emphasized that Sarawak boasts a variety of attractions, from UNESCO World Heritage-listed national parks to vibrant cultural festivals, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism, making it a unique and appealing destination for global travelers.
Abdul Karim also reiterated the government's commitment to supporting sustainable tourism initiatives that ensure Sarawak's natural heritage, indigenous cultures, and local communities benefit from tourism development, while also highlighting that digital innovation will play a key role in meeting the changing needs of travelers.
He said innovation and sustainability will be the driving forces positioning Sarawak as a top destination not only in the region but also internationally.
"Through joint efforts, we can unlock greater potential for Sarawak. We encourage industry professionals to continue building partnerships, exploring new markets, and leveraging technology to enhance visitor experiences."
Meanwhile, he reported a notable growth in Sarawak's tourism over the past three years, noting that by 2024, Sarawak welcomed 4.8 million tourists, exceeding the initial target of 4 million.
He said this is an increase compared to 3.9 million tourists in 2023 and 2 million tourists in 2022, indicating a strong post-pandemic recovery.
"Over the past three years, we have seen a rather smooth development in tourism. Even this year, the number of tourists in January was very significant, much better than last year. We expect to achieve the target of 5 million tourists by December."
He expressed confidence that through ongoing promotional efforts, enhanced tourism infrastructure, and major events such as music festivals and sports tourism, Sarawak will achieve this ambitious target.