The return of events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival has helped to boost Sarawak’s position as a prime destination in the region. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
SARAWAK’S tourism sector is rebounding as more people begin to travel again following the reopening of borders and easing of Covid-19 restrictions.The state now expects to exceed its target of 1.2 million tourist arrivals this year as it has already received more than half this figure in the first eight months.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak recorded 897,903 arrivals, including 206,328 foreign visitors, from January to August.
“We should easily beat our target because based on past records, the second half of the year always sees more visitors coming in, especially in October, November and December,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the return of many musical, arts and sports events this year after two years of the pandemic helped to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a prime destination in the region.
For instance, he said 16,000 people attended the Rainforest World Music Festival in July, exceeding its target of 12,000 visitors, while the Borneo Jazz Festival received 3,800 visitors.
He also noted that over 9,000 runners participated in the Kuching Marathon on Oct 2, while the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta on Oct 28-30 would bring in 1,400 paddlers from 16 countries.
To further promote domestic tourism, the Sarawak Tourism Board recently launched the fourth edition of its Sia Sitok Sarawak campaign for travellers to discover the state’s hidden gems.
Abdul Karim (centre) launching the Sia Sitok Sarawak 4.0 campaign.
Sia Sitok Sarawak, which means “here and there in Sarawak”, was introduced in 2020 to assist the local tourism industry during the pandemic.
Now back by popular demand, the current campaign offers 62 packages at discounted prices for travel from now to Dec 15.
It is accompanied by the Sia Sitok Sarawak Accommodation campaign offering discounts up to 35% off for staycation packages from over 40 participating hotels.
Abdul Karim said both campaigns generated sales worth over RM10.5mil last year, showing that they were well received by Sarawakians who wanted to travel around the state.
“These campaigns give Sarawakians the opportunity to explore their own backyard and become local ambassadors of sharing Sarawak’s gems to the world,” he said.
New packages under Sia Sitok Sarawak 4.0 emphasise the state’s nature, adventure and cultural elements.
Among the highlights are trips to chase waterfalls in Kedaya Telang Usan or shoot rapids in the Julau upriver expedition, experience local culture in a Bidayuh homestay or Orang Ulu longhouse, go birdwatching in the Ba’Kelalan highlands and take a dip in a natural mud bath in Limbang.
There are packages to suit a wide range of tastes, from cooking classes and city tours to jungle trekking and mountain climbing for the more adventurous.
“Sia Sitok Sarawak is a great initiative to cultivate interest and appreciation of Sarawak’s attractions.
“Let us make it an annual campaign to keep the momentum of domestic tourism running,” Abdul Karim said.
