KUCHING: The tourism approach should not rely on seasonal campaigns such as Visit Malaysia Year, but instead be implemented continuously to ensure the industry remains sustainable and resilient.

Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he has consistently upheld the principle that every year is a visit year, in line with the industry’s need for long-term planning.

According to him, although the Visit Malaysia Year campaign has been extended due to the current global situation, the approach should not be viewed as merely a seasonal effort.

“In my view, every year is a visiting year. The tourism industry must be given consistent attention because it is a vital sector for the sector and the people,” he said.

He said this at a press conference following the Sarawak Tourism Steering Committee Meeting, here on Friday.

He added that planning and allocations for the tourism sector must be managed on an annual and continuous basis, rather than depending solely on specific campaigns.

At the same time, Dato Sri Abdul Karim said Sarawak remains optimistic about the performance of the state’s tourism industry despite facing global challenges, including rising travel costs due to current geopolitical situations.

He explained that the increase in airfares, following the implementation of additional charges by airlines, is expected to impact international tourist arrivals.

However, he emphasised that the state government has taken proactive measures by strengthening domestic tourism as a key strategy.

“Domestic tourism will continue to be enhanced, including intra-state travel, as it also contributes to the economy through tourist spending,” he said.

Furthermore, he added, various events including entertainment programmes, food festivals, and cultural activities will be expanded across Sarawak to attract visitors.

He is confident that these measures will be able to stimulate tourist movement and subsequently help Sarawak achieve its target of five million visitor arrivals this year.

“With meticulous planning and the cooperation of all parties, I believe this industry will continue to grow and remain competitive,” he said. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ezzah Syafiqah
Translator: Sarah Nicole Hii
Photo by: Ibanez Jeffery