KUCHING – Tourist arrivals in Sarawak dropped 1.17 million, or 68.8%, in the January-October period from the 3.76 million recorded a year ago, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said tourism is among the sectors worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Tourist receipts declined 69.8% to RM2.82 billion from the same period in 2019, which amounted to RM9.34 billion,” he told the state assembly today.
“By end-2022, Sarawak estimates visitor arrivals to be at 1.2 million, a decline of 76% from the initial target of five million before Covid-19.”
He said the state’s tourism sector is expected to slowly recover next year, with 1.4 million in projected arrivals and RM3.5 billion in estimated tourist receipts.
“The Sarawak Tourism Board has initiated an intra-state travel campaign named ‘Sia Sitok Sarawak’, which features 30 packages in Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Mulu at affordable prices.
“A 50% discount is given to encourage Sarawakians to travel within their home state.” – Bernama, November 13, 2020
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