Since the COVID-19 lockdown, there were no tourists at all visiting Kuching City and all parts of Sarawak. Those in the travel industry were hit hard during those times, but thankfully, the sunshine after the rain has come. On April 1, the nation’s borders have reopened to local and international travellers, the airports are abuzz again with normal flight schedules resuming.
Strike while the iron is hot
NOW that the nation’s borders have reopened to local and international travellers, the airports are abuzz again with normal flight schedules resuming.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told New Sarawak Tribune recently that the tourism sector was delighted with the reopening of borders and more relaxed COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“This was something that the tourism players have been eagerly waiting for since the lockdowns. We hope the reopening of the borders will bring a positive impact not only to the tourism sector but to all economic sectors.
“We want to see Sarawak back to actively hosting world-class events and festivals physically, such as the Rainforest World Music Festival and Borneo Jazz Festival.
“Ever since the pandemic struck, Sarawak had seen a drastic drop in visitor arrivals, going down to 1.19 million visitors in early 2020 compared to 4.66 million in 2019,” he disclosed at the recent Divisional Tourism Task Force Group (DTTG) Promotional Video Awards.
The number fell further to only 235,245 visitors in 2021. He hoped that the promotional video awards organised by the ministry would attract more visitors to Sarawak – targeting 1.2 million visitors and generating RM3.2 billion in revenue this year.
