SIBU: Sarawak continues to record an encouraging number of visitor arrivals despite the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has led to rising airfares.
"We in Sarawak are very fortunate as the number of visitors remains encouraging despite the situation in the Middle East. The figures we have seen for February and March are very much to our satisfaction," said state Minister for Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He also said tourist arrivals in 2025 exceeded the target.
"Tourism receipts alone surpassed RM12bil. This means that on average, receipts exceeded RM1bil per month. However, the revenue does not go into government coffers. Instead, it benefits the community and the industry. Hotels, craft operators and those running restaurants and food stalls all stand to gain," he said at the flag-off ceremony of the Sibu International Powerboat Race on Friday (April 24).
He also called on local sports associations to organise a marathon in Sibu, adding that this has positive spillover effects on the state economy.
"Currently, Sarawak hosts the most full marathons in Malaysia," he said adding Kuching has three, and one each in Bintulu and Miri.
He said each event could attract more than 10,000 participants from around the region.
The three-day Sibu International Powerboat Racing, held at the Pulau Li Hua waterfront, had 251 racers from across the state and as far as Brunei.
The event earned an entry into the Malaysia Book of Records under the category "Most Number of Powerboats in a Single Event".
