Sarawak’s Culture and Nature a Boost to Tourism

KUCHING (March 18): Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed hope that the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign would significantly boost the tourism sector in Sarawak.

Sarawak’s cultural diversity and natural beauty hold a huge advantage for national tourism if given the proper promotion, he said. Sarawak has 34 ethnic groups, the world-renowned Rainforest World Music Festival and a planned cultural dance festival as key attractions. Eco-tourism potential includes two Unesco World Heritage Sites, 60 national parks, and Malaysia’s largest marine park, Luconia Shoals.

Air connectivity remained a challenge, however. The upcoming Air Borneo and the new Kuching International Airport would improve access. Medical tourism is growing, with new hospital and recovery resort projects in the pipeline. Malaysia had 38 million visitor arrivals last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Sarawak aims for five million visitors in 2025, generating RM12.73 billion in tourism receipts. Kuching’s status as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy has enhanced its global food appeal, with celebrity chefs promoting Sarawak cuisines.

There is a need for stronger collaboration with federal tourism agencies to ensure that Sarawak would be well-represented globally. With strategic initiatives and a focus on sustainability, Sarawak is ready to make the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign a success.

Also present were Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor, and Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok.