Optimism for Sarawak’s tourism industry will rebound within one and a half years

I thank our media friends for asking my views on the future of Sarawak's tourism industry which is expected to be a rebound within one and half years time. I have voiced this optimism based on the various tourist attractions which Sarawak has in abundance particularly in aspects of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festival (CANFF). 

We must note that Malaysia is among the countries that has been recording an increase recovery rate of Covid19 patients and most importantly the number of positive cases is declining. Thus, I am confident that the road to recovery for our tourism sector is in sight and that the Movement Control Order (MCO) is expected to be lifted soon.

I also believe that by re-strategising our local tourism industry and with help from Sarawak government, the industry would be able to return to its glory days within the expected time frame. I strongly believe with the kind of products that we have like our greens, our rivers, our cultures, and with the right support from the government, I think maybe a year and a half we would be able to restore our tourism sector. Together with the people of Sarawak, we welcome the announcement on the formation of Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC) by our Right Honourable Chief Minister. 

The formation of the council is timely because through it, we might see our state tourism industry to bounce back much earlier if the strategising of the industry works with the much needed cooperation from all industry players. As mentioned by the Chief Minister, Sarawak will anchor on two core principles namely digital economy and environmental sustainability. 

The principles also consist of 10 propositions which include Beyond Leisure Tourism which affects our tourism industry. As such, we will be discussing with our industry players on this matter. We have to be optimistic and I am quite confident even though the State government might feel it will take a little bit longer for us to kick off but with the right events, programmes that we will introduce later, and with all the support from those in transportation, airlines, hotels...I believe we can take off much earlier. We have to build confidence and we have to work together with local tourism players such as the tourism promoters, hotels on how we can entice them (visitors) to come over here.