KUCHING: Sarawak is set to experience its highest visitor influx to date, with the state expecting to reach five million visitors by the end of the year.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the number of visitors should have already reached four million by October 2024.
“I can see that this year we will see the largest number of visitors. We will hit the target of four million and surpass 2019’s numbers, which was 4.6 million.
“By October, we should have already hit four million,” he said.
He said this during the What About Kuching (WAK) festival 2024 appreciation dinner at the Dewan Sri Mahligai yesterday (Oct 31).
He added that monthly visitor arrivals through the airport, average between 450,000 and 500,000, based on immigration data.
“I know per month is about 450,000 to 500,000 visitors now and these are real figures given to us by the immigration department,” he said.
Meanwhile, he revealed that Sarawak’s own airline is expected to operate by early next year.
“The good news is that early next year, we will be having our own airline.
“I believe this month we will be signing the share purchase agreement and by the first quarter of next year, our plane should be in the sky,” he said.
On another note, Abdul Karim commended WAK for their growth over the past six years, transforming October — a month once considered quiet — into one bustling with energy and events.
“I’m quite excited myself being able to see how it grew from six years ago, to what we have today. October has always been a very slow month, but when I was first appointed as the minister, we were wondering how to make October to be an exciting month.
“Six years down the road, things have changed so much. Now, we are facing problems with October. My ministry and I have been all over the place every day,” he shared.
He applauded the WAK team for its dedication as the festival has remained true to its mission and goals, yielding remarkable results for Sarawak’s tourism sector.
“Over the years, we have observed that WAK has held true to its mission and objective, and has achieved impressive results, which include among others, in energising tourism.
“Once dubbed as a slow month, October has now become one of the most vibrant month of the year with so many exciting events, from the major Borneo Sonic to the Kuching Marathon, Dragon Boat Race and Sarawak Regatta all happening in this same month,” he said.
This year, WAK expanded its reach to include satellite festivals in Sibu and Miri.
“I am very pleased that the WAK festival team took up the challenge of bringing this exciting platform to Sibu and Miri as satellite festivals this year.
This is a very strategic move to foster greater inclusivity throughout Sarawak,” he said.
As Sarawak continues its journey to brand itself as ‘a land with a soul’, he emphasised that public interest and footfall at WAK events have shown impressive growth year after year.
“Gauging from the steadily increasing footfall registered at each WAK festival edition, public interest in the many events offered at each WAK Festival edition has also increased impressively.
“We are well on the way to further enhance Sarawak as ‘a land with a soul’, he said.
He also urged both public and private sectors to lend their support to WAK, envisioning it as a premier platform for arts, culture, and lifestyle that showcases Sarawak’s beauty, cultural diversity, and artistic richness to the world.
“I urge once again for the public and private sectors as well as our many diplomatic missions to come aboard and render support to make this a reality,” he said.
