Sarawak’s health tourism: 28,000 visitors generate RM54 mln revenue in 2023; projected to soar to RM91.5 mln

Abdul Karim delivering his winding-up speech for Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts during the DUN sitting on Nov 28, 2023. Screenshot taken from a Sarawak Public Communications Unit livestream on Facebook.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Nov 28: Sarawak’s health tourism sector recorded 28,000 visitors leading to an estimated revenue of RM54 million so far 2023.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the projected healthcare travel revenue for Sarawak this year is currently at RM91.5 million.

“Sarawak is an attractive health tourism destination. Indonesia and Britain are the main contributors, while China is seen as the next potential source for market diversification.

“This is in comparison to a recovery of 71 per cent of pre-pandemic achievement of RM76 million in 2019,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.

According to Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), amongst the top treatments sought after in Sarawak are orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology and health screening.

“This indicates optimism and confidence in the continued growth of the sector and supports that Sarawak as a well-positioned destination to build on its success in attracting international patients,” Abdul Karim said.

He pointed out that Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is working closely with MHTC and had participated in the latter’s Malaysia Healthcare Expo (MHX) in Jakarta in February 2023, apart from actively organising healthcare roadshows in three cities, namely Indonesia (Jakarta, Balikpapan, and Banjarmasin) along with Sarawak tourism industry players.

Considering the relocation of Indonesia’s capital city to Nusantara, he said STB also took the opportunity to be the first to promote health tourism in cities such as Kalimantan, Balikpapan, Samarinda and Banjarmasin.

In September 2023, STB had participated in Sabre Brunei Travel Fair in Bandar Seri Begawan, where it promoted specific treatments such as dental, endoscopy, cardiology and health screening for Bruneians, he added. — DayakDaily