SARAWAK Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah said visitor arrivals to the state could hit 4 million by year’s end, beating official projections by 33%.

Karim, at the Bung Bratak Day in Bau on Monday, said if the sharp uptrend continues, the state government’s initial 3 million target could be reached in either September or October.

“By the end of the year, we might hit 4 million,” he said, adding that this figure was based on “nearly” 1 million arrivals in the first four months.

He said from January to March, there were 497,000 foreign visitors to Sarawak and 427,000 domestic arrivals, adding that 324,000 came to the state in March alone.

Last year, he said, only 10,600 foreigners came to Sarawak, along with 219,000 visitors.

“The culture, food and warmth of Sarawak’s 31 ethnic groups are what foreigners have always wanted to see,” Karim said.

He expects to see an influx of tourists during the return cultural festivals like Babulang – celebrated by the Bisaya community of Limbang – and Nukenen, held by the people of Bario, plus many other events during the year.

This year’s Babulang festival will be June 2-4 while the Nukenen, popularly known as the Bario Food Festival, is normally held in July.

Last month, Sarawak returned to the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (International Tourism Exchange), the world’s biggest travel trade show, in Berlin to position itself as a preferred eco-tourism destination in Asean.

At the ITB, Karim said the state’s presence is reflective of its eco-tourism drive.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) signed a memorandum of understanding with Tischler Reisen AG to boost the state’s visibility in Germany and make Sarawak a preferred destination of people from Central Europe.

Tischler Reisen, a tourism and travel agency, offers hotels, round trips, group travels, and special offers to tourists worldwide.

STB is also targeting tourists from the Middle East. Last week, it took part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai to promote the state’s “sustainable, responsible tourism”.

STB also emphasised the promotion of the newly launched Global Sia Sitok Vacation (GSSV) packages and the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) on June 23-25.

The GSSV campaign invites visitors to choose from more than 140 travel packages.

To cash in on the South Korean thirst for golf, Sarawak has launched its “choigoe golf mok juk ji Sarawak (Sarawak best golf destination)” golf tourism campaign, promoting the state’s seven best clubs.

Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Tourism Sebastian Ting said there are many golf packages that combine the sport with other activities like nature, adventure, hiking, and cave tours.

Sarawak Golf Tourism Association (SGTA) and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) are the two key players promoting Sarawak as a golfing destination. – May 7, 2023.