Sarawak expects tourist arrivals to hit 5 mln

SARIKEI: Sarawak is on track to achieve its target of 4 million tourists for 2024 and is even confident of reaching 5 million by year-end, according to Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.

The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts said the ministry is confident as Sarawak averages 400,000 tourist arrivals each month.

“Notably, as of July, the number of tourists has already reached 2.8 million,” he told reporters after chairing the Sarawak Tourism Committee Coordination Meeting at the Sarikei Resident Office today.

Sarawak recorded a total of 2.8 million tourist arrivals from January to July 2024, reflecting an increase compared to 2.2 million during the same period last year.

He said that with several major events lined up such as the Malaysia Para Games (SUKMA) XXI, the Sarawak Regatta, and the International Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled from September to the end of 2024, the ministry is confident of surpassing the 4 million tourist target.

Additionally, Ting said tourist arrivals could potentially reach 5 million by the end of the year, surpassing the 2019 record of 4.66 million.

“Tourists from Brunei remain the largest group, with a total of 1.1 million visitors.

“This significant growth in tourist numbers is expected to have a major impact on the local tourism industry, including hotels, homestays, the food industry, and transportation,” he added.