KUCHING: Sarawakians have been urged to continue to explore the state’s own backyard which are of tourist attractions within the state.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said there are still many hidden jewels that have yet to be explored in the state.
“There are so many that Sarawak has to offer of which places that we don’t really know.
“For myself, I went to Semadang for rafting. I love it and I didn’t expect something like that to be offered there.
“These are some of the jewels in our state. And that is why this is also the blessing of COVID-19 where we expose ourselves to our own jewel,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after officiating at the launch of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Sarawak Fair from Aug 6 to 7 at Boulevard Mall Kuching today.
Abdul Karim also noted that during holidays Malaysians prefer to travel abroad to China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, or Cambodia.
“When you close all those doors (borders) where else can you go and bring family? It is either you go to West Malaysia, or travel internally in the state.
“That is why I’m grateful that the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has come up with the Sia Sitok 1 and 2 tour packages which has helped to boost the local tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So, don’t forget to explore your own backyard as fellow Sarawakians should be proud of what Sarawak has to offer,” he said.
Commenting on the tourist arrivals, Abdul Karim believed the state is able to achieve the targeted number of 1.2 million tourist arrivals in Sarawak by the end of the year.
“For the first half of this year until June this year, the tourist arrivals were 573,619 as compared to last year which is 64,000 tourist arrivals for the same period. This is an increase of 785 per cent of tourist arrivals to the state.
“For the last tourist arrival before COVID-19, the number of tourist arrivals in 2019 was 4.6 million. Hopefully, by next year we should be back with those numbers again,” said Abdul Karim.
