BY SHARIFAH NONG-JASIMA
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded an increase in tourist arrivals in the first month of this year, raising hopes the state has got off to a great start to achieving its four million tourists target.
“It is a good benchmark that we have an increase of almost 50,000 visitors for January 2024 compared to January last year,” said Tourism, Creative Industry, Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Thus, he believed the state could achieve its target of four million visitors this year.
He said last month there were 352,983 tourist arrivals compared to January last year with 319,064.
“This is an increase of 10.63 per cent in terms of tourist arrivals for this January,” he said this to reporters after the launching of the ‘Raya Emas: Salako Sacred Treasure’ movie at Borneo Cultures Museum here today (Feb 20).
“I am confident the target can be achieved by the middle of the year based on the events the Ministry is preparing this year.
“Visitors’ entry will exceed four million due to the promotion from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the international business conferences that are organised in the state.” he said.
He added that he will also be officiating at the Sarawak Pavillion in Berlin, with the aim to promote Sarawak, and to inform potential tourists in European countries of events and festivals like the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).
Of the total number who arrived in January this year Abdul Karim said 212,125 were foreign tourists compared to the 172,983 in January last year.
“Meanwhile, there was a 3.58 per cent decrease in local tourists with 140,858 in January compared to the 146,081 local tourists who entered Sarawak in January 2023,” he said.
As for the Sarawak Tourism Receipts (STR), he said there was a growth of 12.11 per cent, with RM 907.37 million for January 2024 compared to RM 809.37 million in January 2023.
“Although there is a slight decrease in local visitors, I am pleased that there was a significant increase in foreign visitors to the state,” he added.
Last year, Sarawak achieved its target of three million visitors to the state.
