Snowdan: Singapore records highest growth in tourist arrivals to Sarawak in February

KUCHING (March 27): Singapore recorded the highest growth in tourist arrivals to Sarawak among the top five source markets in February 2026, registering a year-on-year increase of 76.22 per cent, said State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

He said Sarawak received 6,314 visitors from Singapore in February this year, compared with 3,583 in the same month last year.

Despite the strong growth from Singapore, Brunei remained the largest contributor of visitors with 106,955 arrivals in February 2026, although this represented a slight decline of 3.17 per cent from 110,455 recorded in February 2025.

Indonesia ranked second with 50,611 visitors, marking a 2.94 per cent increase from 49,165 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

China was the third largest contributor with 8,778 visitors, up 16.87 per cent from 7,511 previously, while the Philippines completed the top five with 3,917 visitors, a 13.11 per cent increase from 3,463 recorded a year earlier.

Snowdan said the figures reflect encouraging recovery and stronger travel movement within the region.

“You can see that travel within Southeast Asia is picking up again. It’s moving forward,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026 here.

He added that Sarawak will continue to strategise its tourism markets and strengthen regional engagement to sustain growth.

Sarawak will host the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026 from Oct 13 to 15 at the Kingwood Hotel in Sibu, bringing together tourism stakeholders to enhance professional standards and regional collaboration in the guiding industry.