TRANSLATED BY ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
SIMANGGANG: Sarawak is projected to receive four million tourists next year.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said his ministry is on track to reach the target of three million visitors by the end of this year, which will generate an estimated RM7.6bil in tourism revenue.
“Thus, the ministry anticipates four million visitors next year, generating an estimated RM9.76bil in tourism revenue.
“Next, it contributes about 6.97 per cent to the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sarawak.”
The Piasau assemblyman said this at a press conference after the State Tourism Coordination Committee (STCC) Meeting No. 2/2023 here on Monday (Oct 30).
From January to September this year, Sarawak received 2.9 million visitor arrivals.
“It is an increase of 154.24 per cent compared to the same period in 2022 and generates RM7.36bil in tourism revenue and contributes 5.25 per cent to Sarawak’s GDP.”
Earlier, Ting stated that the second STCC meeting in 2023 will be held in Sri Aman after the first meeting in Miri on May 29.
“This is the first time we hold an STCC meeting in Simanggang.
“The aim is to continue organising these meetings in each division in turn.
“With this, we hope to be able to experience special tourism products in each part that has its own specialties in the fields of craft, food, heritage and culture.”
He believes that by holding the meeting here, his ministry will give Simanggang an opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage as well as its potential as a tourist destination.
Sarawak Tourism Board chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau and Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Datuk Sherrina Hussaini were also present.
