KUCHING: The impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Sarawak's tourism is expected to be minimal, according to Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the conflict might affect the travel plans of tourists from Europe and the Middle East.
"However, it will not seriously affect us as the bulk of tourists coming to Sarawak are from Southeast Asia, China, and the Far East.
"We hope there will be no war in this part of the world which could affect us," he said, adding that he hoped the Middle East crisis would tone down.
Abdul Karim was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the Sarawak Heritage Council here on Wednesday (June 18).
Last Friday (June 13), Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran, hitting military sites and killing several high-ranking officers. Iran has fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation, resulting in casualties.
Earlier, Abdul Karim said the Borneo Cultures Museum here has received over 1.3 million visitors since its opening in 2022.
This year alone, he said, the museum recorded 117,095 visitors as of June 16.
"The Borneo Cultures Museum has attracted prominent figures, high-ranking officers, high commissioners and ambassadors from abroad.
"Some notable highlights were visits by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, a delegation from Uganda, a delegation of the European Free Trade Association, and Qatar ambassador to Malaysia Salah Mohammed Al-Sorour," he said.
Abdul Karim said other museums in Sarawak, such as the Petroleum Museum in Miri and Islamic Heritage Museum here, also received encouraging visitor numbers.
He said these museums recorded 79,575 visitors collectively from January to June 16.
