SIBU: Sarawak has seen an increase in tourist arrivals during the first six months of this year.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting said from January to June this year, visitor arrivals rose to 573,619 compared to 64,767 in the corresponding period last year.
It translates to a 785.67 per cent increase, he explained.
“Tourism receipts also increased from RM321.22 million to RM1.3 billion,” he said in a press conference after attending the second Sarawak Tourism Coordination Committee (STCC) Meeting 2022 here on Tuesday (July 19).
“Sarawak is optimistic about receiving 1.2 million visitors and generate RM3.2 billion in tourism receipts.
“While international tourism slowly bounces back, domestic tourism will continue to drive the recovery of the state’s tourism industry,” he said.
On another note, he said there is a RM35 million fund approved for the ministry, and that only RM13.5 million has been approved for use so far.
“We still have RM21.5 million left and we call on tourism players to apply. Please apply as soon as possible,” he said.
He said there is another fund known as Heritage, Arts, Culture, and Facilitation Fund where RM9.2 million is still available and the fund can be applied for up to the end of this year.
“So long as it has anything to do with culture and heritage, people can apply for it,” he said.
For those who wish to apply, the applications can done be via https://mtcp.sarawak.gov.my.
Also present were Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau, and STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor and Deputy Sibu Resident Christopher Ranggau Unting.
