Sarawak kicks off 2026 with 437,677 visitors, tourism receipts hit RM1.16 bln in January

Abdul Karim (centre) flanked by STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor and Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting during a press conference held in conjunction with the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2026 at the Borneo Cultures Museum on Feb 25, 2026.

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, Feb 25: Sarawak recorded a robust start to 2026, welcoming 437,677 visitors in January and seeing higher tourism receipts, signalling positive momentum in the State’s tourism sector.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that visitor arrivals grew 9.27 per cent, or 37,146 more than the 400,531 arrivals recorded in January 2025.

“We have just received the January figures, and it is a very encouraging start to the year,” he told reporters during a press conference held in conjunction with the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2026 at the Borneo Cultures Museum today.

Of the total arrivals, foreign visitors numbered 247,063, up from 233,404 in January last year, marking a 5.85 per cent increase. Domestic arrivals, including travellers from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, rose more sharply to 190,614, compared with 167,127 a year earlier, a 14.05 per cent growth.

Abdul Karim also highlighted the strong performance in tourism receipts, describing it as a key indicator of the sector’s overall health.

“For January 2026 alone, tourism receipts reached RM1.116 billion, up from RM1.025 billion in January last year, representing an 8.83 per cent increase,” he said.

He noted that higher visitor spending has benefited a wide range of industries, including hotels, food and beverage outlets, transportation services, and the craft sector.

Addressing Sarawak’s annual tourism target, Abdul Karim said the state would continue to uphold its five million visitor arrival goal, despite suggestions to revise it upwards.

“The five million target has been in place since 2019 but was disrupted by COVID-19. We have not reached it yet, and until we do, we will not revise it,” he explained, noting that even the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) had proposed setting a higher benchmark.

He expressed optimism that the target could be achieved this year, citing sustained efforts by his ministry, its agencies, and support from other ministries through major sporting and youth events.

“If we can maintain this momentum until November, I believe we can reach the five million mark before December,” he added. — DayakDaily