KUCHING: The state is encouraged by the growth in visitor arrivals so far, which showed an increase of 11.2 per cent to 3.5 million from January to September this year compared to the same period last year.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan is upbeat that with various attractions offered by the state, more tourists would come next year.
As such, the aim now is to record a five per cent increase in tourist arrivals next year, from this year’s target of 4.6 million.
“A total of 56 major events throughout the country with three events, namely the Gawai Dayak Open House Celebration, Rainforest World Music Festival and the Sarawak Regatta will become the momentum towards the steady flow of incoming tourist to the state,” he said during the Tourism Malaysia MyFest Golf Challenge 2014 prize giving yesterday.
On Myfest 2015, which is expected to lure 29.4 million tourists and generate RM89 million in income, he said it is a national tourism agenda, and the government has declared next year as the year of festivals.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia state director Salahuddin Mohd Ariffin said Malaysia won the Asia’s best golf destination in 2014 title during an event in Portugal on Nov 15.
“Such recognition motivates Tourism Malaysia to strengthen our efforts to promote Malaysia as the preferred year-round golf destination,” he said.
Last year, the golf sector generated RM296 million in income and this year the RM310 million mark has been passed.
“In terms of the state, Sarawak has more to offer as the golfing activity can be packaged with nature, diving, caving and even shopping. We just need to be creative in promoting the golfing packages here in Sarawak,” he added.
Mohd Shamsuri Sharbini won the title with a nett score of 66, followed by Ismail Saai (69), while Omar Suib (70) was third.