MALAYSIA-
Compared to the same period last year, visitor arrivals to the state in the first four months of this year have climbed by 25.46 per cent, according to state minister of tourism, creative industry, and performing arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah.
By the end of this year, the industry is expected to return to about 90% of its pre-pandemic levels, he informed the state legislative assembly today.
He noted that the rate of recovery was consistent with the findings of the first global tourism barometer of the year released by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNTO), which showed that, at the end of the previous year, international tourism had returned to 88% of pre-pandemic levels.
Four million tourists are expected to visit Sarawak this year, spending an estimated RM10.19 billion.
During his ministerial closing remarks, Karim stated that the state’s tourist industry will contribute 7.25 per cent of its GDP.
According to the UNTO research, a complete recovery of the sector by the end of this year is anticipated to be supported by the release of residual pent-up demand, improved air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations.
The report also stated that preliminary estimates indicated that foreign tourism receipts hit US$1.4 trillion (RM6.6 trillion), or around 93% of the US$1.5 trillion (RM7.09 trillion) that destinations earned in 2019.
Additionally, it said that initial projections indicate a two per cent gain above the 2019 level for international tourism, which is anticipated to fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels this year.
According to Karim, there has been an increase in visitor arrivals in Malaysia overall last year as compared to the same period in 2022.
This year, the nation hopes to welcome 27.3 million visitors and generate around RM102.7 billion in revenue from tourism.
