CHINA emerges as a promising market for health tourism in Sarawak, with Indonesia and Brunei currently being primary contributors to the state’s health revenue.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak has become a compelling destination for health tourism, with Indonesia and Brunei emerging as the primary sources of revenue in the healthcare sector.
“As reported by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), among the top treatments sought after in Sarawak are orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology and health screening,” he said during his winding-up-speech in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
This year, Sarawak recorded 28,000 health visitors with an estimated revenue of RM54 million, in comparison to a recovery of 71 percent of pre-pandemic achievement of RM76 million in 2019. The projected healthcare travel revenue for Sarawak in 2023 is currently at RM91.5 million.
“This indicates optimism and confidence in the continued growth of the sector and supports Sarawak as a well-positioned destination to build on its success in attracting international patients,” he added.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is working closely with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and had participated in its Malaysia Healthcare Expo (MHX) held in Jakarta in February 2023.
“Apart from participating in the expo, STB actively organised healthcare roadshows in three Indonesian cities, namely Jakarta, Balikpapan and Banjarmasin, along with Sarawak tourism industry players.
“These initiatives were focused on health tourism. Besides that, due to the relocation of the capital city of Indonesia to Nusantara, STB took the opportunity to be the first to promote health tourism in cities such as Kalimantan, Balikpapan, Samarinda and Banjarmasin,” he said.
Abdul Karim said in September 2023, STB participated in the Sabre Brunei Travel Fair, Bandar Seri Begawan, where it promoted specific treatments such as dental, endoscopy, cardiology and health screening to Bruneians.
