THE 3rd Sarawak Tourism Master Plan 2021-2035 is timely in tandem with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 for the tourism sector.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was to spur both immediate and long-term recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 and to bring new business models and strategies for both the demand and supply side of the industry.
“The plan aims to increase the number of visitors to Sarawak from a baseline of 4.6 million, and RM11.6bil in tourism receipts in 2019 to 12.7 million visitors contributing economic returns of RM50bil by 2035,” said the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
“This is in line with the aspiration of the PCDS 2030. My ministry will ensure policies and plans for tourism, arts and culture in the master plan are translated into action plans in stages,” he said when delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on today (Nov 30).
Abdul Karim added that tourism had been identified as one of the important economic sectors under the PCDS 2030.
“Four main tourism strategies have been identified, namely to enhance travel to and within Sarawak; to develop Sarawak tourism products and assets by building upon its cultural, heritage and natural assets; to position Sarawak as a preferred tourism destination; and to improve capacity and capability of human capital.
“In addition, outcomes, levers and initiatives for a way forward for Sarawak to become a developed state by 2030 and providing high income for the people. The aspiration will be translated into three major outcomes in terms of economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability.”
