RWMF To Proceed, Sarawak Remains Optimistic In Attracting Visitors
KUCHING: The hosting of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) will proceed as planned, with Sarawak remaining optimistic about visitor attendance despite the world facing global uncertainties.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, who is also the Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the festival does not only rely on international tourists, but also receives strong support from local and regional visitors.
"Every year, approximately 20,000 visitors attend the Rainforest [festival] and more than half of them are from within the country," he said.
He said this when met by reporters at the Aidilfitri Ramah Tamah ceremony organised by his two ministries at a hotel here on Sunday.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim emphasised that events such as RWMF do not only provide entertainment, but also become an important platform in promoting Sarawak's arts, culture, and tourism industry to a wider level.
This is in line with the importance of ensuring the life of the community continues to move forward including through elements of art and entertainment.
Commenting on concerns about global conflicts that might affect the movement of tourists, he said the situation does not have a major impact on visitor attendance to Sarawak.
According to him, international tourists can still adjust their travel routes, while the presence of tourists from the Southeast Asian region such as Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Peninsular Malaysia is seen as capable of supporting the hosting of the festival. — UKASnews
