MIRI: Sarawak maintains its strong performance in the tourism sector, recording nearly two million visitor arrivals in the first five months of this year.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said based on the latest statistics, the target of five million visitor arrivals by year-end is well within reach.

According to him, from January to May 2025, Sarawak recorded 1.99 million visitor arrivals, with the highest number from Brunei Darussalam (647,184), followed by Indonesia (296,859), China (28,815), Singapore (23,906), and the Philippines (18,621).

“This positive performance continues the momentum from 2024, where tourism receipts increased to RM12.45 billion compared to RM9.99 billion the previous year.

“This year, we are on track to achieve the target of RM12.73 billion in tourism receipts,” he said when chairing the Sarawak Tourism Coordinating Committee (STCC) Meeting No. 1/2025, here on Monday.

Also present were Telang Usan Assemblyman and Sarawak Tourism Board Chairman, Dato Dennis Ngau, and Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datu Sherrina Hussaini.

During the meeting, Datuk Sebastian underscored the importance of close collaboration between all stakeholders in developing the tourism sector in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

He also noted that the significant allocation of RM255 million under the Sarawak Budget 2025 reflects the Sarawak Premier’s strong confidence in the potential of this sector.

Key strategies discussed included alignment with global tourism trends, strengthening community-based tourism and ecotourism such as the Sarawak Delta Geopark, promoting Kuching as a UNESCO Creative City and World Craft City, and highlighting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mulu and Niah.

Sarawak is also focusing on health tourism, educational tourism, wellness tourism, as well as enhancing digital tourism and collaboration with airlines through AirBorneo. -UKASnews