Tourism to Sarawak increased 6.53 percent in August

KUCHING, Sept. 21: Visitor attendance to Sarawak recorded an increase of 6.53 percent in August 2026 compared to the same period last year, with a total of 439,968 people registered for the month.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the number increased from 413,018 in August 2025, while foreign visitors also showed an increase.

According to him, the number of foreign visitors in August 2026 increased to 275,800 people, compared with 244,903 people in the same month last year.

"For August 2026, the total is 439,968. Compared to the same period in August 2025, 413,018 people. So there's an increase of 6.53 percent. For the month of August, foreigners, outsiders, strangers. The numbers have increased as well. 275,800 people, compared to August 2025, 244,903", he said.

Abdul Karim said this in response to a reporter's question about the number of visitors arriving in Sarawak, in conjunction with the Year Visiting Malaysia, after the end of the 2026 Appreciation Night Meeting, Sarawak Museum Department at a hotel here, last night.

In the meantime, he said total visitor arrivals for January to August 2026 were recorded at 3,160,448 people, slightly down 1.41 percent from 3,205,519 in the same period last year.

Commenting on medical tourism, Abdul Karim said that the segment still has potential in Sarawak based on his observations, although he does not have specific data about it.

He said that individuals in need of treatment will continue to seek hospitals with good facilities and services, thus contributing to the demand for medical tourism sector in Sarawak.

He also acknowledged the developments in the Middle East and current aviation issues have potential impact on travel planning to Sarawak, but is confident that visitor arrivals could increase for the rest of this year due to various programmes being held.