KUCHING: The construction of new hotels across Sarawak must be completed this year in preparation for hosting the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2027, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts expressed this hope following the announcement that the sporting event will be inaugurated in Kuching.
“It is my great hope that hotel buildings being developed in Kuching, Miri, and other parts of the state can be completed this year.
“We need to be ready for the coming years, especially for the SEA Games, which will take place soon,” he said.
He said this when speaking to reporters before the start of Boney M 50th Anniversary Tour’s live concert at the Great Hall, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday evening.
Additionally, he revealed that the Sarawak government has also approved the construction of more mid-range hotels (below four-star) to support eco-tourism activities in the state.
“They don’t necessarily have to be five-star hotels, but three or four stars, which are suitable for eco-tourism.
“People come here to experience the beauty of nature, you don’t need a five-star hotel if you intend to go into the forest. Three or four stars are sufficient,” he said.
Commenting on the rising number of tourist arrivals from Indonesia, Abdul Karim said that tourism promotion programmes in neighbouring regions have proven to be effective.
“Previously, the majority of foreign visitors entering here were from Brunei, totalling around 150,000 to 200,000 tourists monthly.
“But towards the end of this year, we have seen more visitors from Indonesia coming to Sarawak. I also observed that the Tebedu’s Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex has been crowded.
“That is a positive sign. They are coming not as workers, but as tourists seeking to vacation in Sarawak, which will undoubtedly contribute to our state’s economic growth,” he said.
