KUCHING: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is quite confident that the target of five million visitor arrivals in Sarawak and a RM12.75 billion tourism receipts set for next year is achievable with the acquisition of MASwings.
He said the state government is going to sign a share transfer agreement with Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG), a parent company of MASwings, at the end of this year.
“By next year, looking at the planned routes of where the destinations are going to be, the number of planes that are going to be leased, we hope to see the number of visitors coming in, especially from the Far East, going up very fast in the years to come,” he said at the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)P annual dinner here on Friday night.
He said next year would mark a significant leap forward in connectivity with the establishment of Sarawak’s very own airline, set to transform how the world accesses the state.
“With planned routes expanding our international reach, the airline will enhance travel convenience, strengthen global accessibility, and position Sarawak as a competitive destination for business, leisure, and cultural exchanges,” he said, adding that it underscores the commitment to boosting tourism access and elevating Sarawak’s profile on the global stage.
He said Sarawak has never recorded five million visitor arrivals in the past, the closest was in 2019 when it registered 4.6 million arrivals.
“In 2020, we set a target of five million, but then, as we all know, everything was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the declaration of pandemic emergency,” he said.
Abdul Karim said 2024 is an extraordinary year for the Sarawak tourism industry, saying that the target set by his ministry of four million visitor arrivals has not only been achieved, but has exceeded it, reaching 4.34 million visitors by the end of November.
“We also surpassed pre-pandemic levels in both visitor arrivals and tourism receipts, recording an impressive RM11.19 billion.
“This remarkable milestone underscores the resilience and dynamism of Sarawak’s tourism ecosystem—a collective success shared by all our stakeholders, including government agencies, tourism operators, and communities across Sarawak,” he said.
He said together, they have solidified tourism’s position as one of the state’s top three economic contributors, driving growth and prosperity for all.
Abdul Karim stressed that Sarawak’s proven ability to host world-class events that attract global attention is a significant driver of its success.
He said the signature events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta, Kuching Marathon, Borneo International Kite Festival, Sibu International Bike Week have helped position Sarawak as a premier tourism destination, enhancing its appeal on the international stage.
“These events not only draw international visitors but also generate significant economic returns by boosting local businesses, creating employment, and fostering sustainable tourism development across the state,” he added.
Abdul Karim said that Sarawak also has expanded its global presence through active participation in prestigious travel trade events such as ITB Berlin, World Travel Market London, Arabian Travel Market Dubai, ITB Asia in Singapore, MATKA in Finland, and other focused markets.
“These platforms enabled Sarawak to showcase its rich cultural heritage, diverse adventure experiences, and pristine natural landscapes to a global audience, resulting in increased international arrivals and strengthened industry partnerships.” he said.
He added that market expansion efforts in India and the Middle East have unlocked new growth opportunities, driving a remarkable 75 per cent growth in arrivals from these emerging markets.
