KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) has listed eight regatta races in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar 2025 as platforms to boost the domestic and international tourism sector.

Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said that organising the regatta would not only strengthen the state's cultural identity and water sports traditions, but would also be a catalyst for local economic growth through business opportunities generated during the event.

"Organising the regatta can attract tourists from both home and abroad. It has a direct impact on the local economic sector including food vendors, handicraft entrepreneurs, transport service providers, homestay operators and the hospitality industry," he said.

He said this when answering an oral question from Kalaka Assemblyman, Mohamad Duri in the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting, on Wednesday.

Among the regatta events listed in Sarawak's tourism calendar are the Saratok Festival (11–13 July), Sebauh Festival (19–20 July), Belaga Regatta (3–10 August), Baram Regatta (18–21 September), Dalat Besaug Festival (26–28 September), Telaga Air Regatta (3–5 October), Sarawak Regatta - Kuching Waterfront Festival (31 October–2 November) and Lingga Regatta (28–30 November).

Datuk Sebastian Ting added that the organisation of the regatta was also supported through the Tourism Event Grant Fund which could be applied for by the organisers, subject to guidelines and approval from the Sarawak Rivers Authority (LSS).

In the meantime, he announced the establishment of a Divisional Tourism Task Group (DTTG) at the divisional level to coordinate tourism projects including the regatta as well as encourage the involvement of the local community through the organisation of side activities such as food carnivals, local product sales, homestay packages and community tourism.

Safety aspects were also given priority through physical assessment of the river, the establishment of a safety team involving agencies such as the LSS, Marine Police, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), as well as compliance with the wearing of life jackets by participants. - UKASnews