Sporting events boost state’s economy

KUCHING: Holding national or international sporting events will certainly have a major economic impact on the state’s hospitality and transport industries in Sarawak, as can be seen in the recent Malaysian Games (SUKMA Sarawak).

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzan said this explains why his ministry wants the national and international sporting events to be held in Sarawak, such SUKMA and SEA Games.

On the economic impacts of the recent SUKMA Sarawak, he explained that there is a way to measure the impacts on the hospitality and transport industries, especially in Kuching City.

He said he will be able to know this week when he gets the data on the arrivals from Immigration not just on the athletes and officials, but also the accompanying family members.

“I can see that the number of tourist arrivals, which I believe, have shot up in August compared to the previous months,” Karim said today.

He said everyone who came in, whether they are from Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia or Brunei is being registered with Immigration.

“From here we will be able to know the number of tourist arrivals,” he said.

“However, not all who visited Sarawak last month came for SUKMA. They could be coming due to other reasons,” he added.

“But from the words of mouth, when I came to Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu or Miri where some of the sporting events were held, everybody, especially those in the hospitality industry, hotels, homestays, and transport sector, was benefiting economically,” he said.

He said he was informed that almost all the accommodations where Sukma was held, were booked.

He said restaurants, food outlets and the handicraft sector have also benefited from the national sporting events.

He said business events are also bringing economic benefits to the hospitality industry.

“I would like to see more business events to be held in Sarawak because it is good for us,” he said.

Karim said he expects the coming Sarawak International Band and Orchestra (SIBOFest) will more tourist arrivals to Sarawak.

Singapore, Japan and Malaysia will take part in the inaugural fest that will be held from September 17 to 20.

He said his ministry intends to make SIBOFest another successful event like the famed Rainforest World Music Festival.

He said his ministry plans to invite national and international artists to perform in Sarawak once the Performing Arts Centre and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching 2 (BCCK 2) have been completed.