SIBU: The continued upward trend in Sarawak's tourism sector saw the state exceed last year's target of four million visitor arrivals by 20%, says the state Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
"In 2024, Sarawak recorded 4.831 million visitor arrivals," its Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the Asean Lions Leaders Summit 2025 here on Thursday (Feb 20) night.
"(This is also) a 22.95% increase from the previous year... (and) generated RM12.45bil in tourism receipts," he said in his speech, read out by Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, who was representing him at the event.
"This year, we are targeting five million visitors and have already seen a strong start, with 400,531 visitors arriving in January."
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This was a 13.47% increase over last January, he added.
The audience included Lions dignitaries from China, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, Hong Kong, Taipei, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The attendees were also briefed on Sarawak's recent achievement in heritage conservation, with the Niah National Park being officially proclaimed as a Unesco World Heritage Site at the 46th Unesco World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi.
The summit, hosted by the Lions Club of Sibu Pahlawan and supported by its parent club and seven sponsoring clubs, brought together leaders from across the region.
