Tourism in Sarawak
Global Tourism Scenario
Based on the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global tourism sector has suffered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with a decline of 65% or 440 million international arrivals in the first six months of 2020. The steep decline has resulted in a loss of USD460 billion in export revenues from international tourism. A reduction of 58% to 78% is expected in international tourist arrivals by the end of 2020. UNTWO’s panel of experts foresee a rebound in international tourism in 2021, in its third quarter. However, the extended scenarios for 2021 onwards up to 2024 have pointed to a strong rebound based on the assumptions of a reversal in the evolution of the pandemic, significant improvement in traveler’s confidence and major lifting of travel restrictions by the middle of the year.
Sarawak’s Tourism Performance
In 2019, Sarawak received 4.66 million visitors, bringing in an estimated tourist receipt of RM11.57 billion and contributing to the state’s GDP of 8.72% in growth. The arrival figure indicated an increase of 5.22% as compared to 2018.
As of January to September 2020, visitors’ arrival to Sarawak dropped 65.67% to 1,155,754 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (3,366,922) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism receipt declined 66.90% to RM2.78 billion as compared to the same corresponding period in 2019.
Sarawak is expected to slowly recover in 2021, anticipating a total visitor arrival of 1.4 million with an estimated tourism receipt of RM3.5 billion. However, this estimated target will change again depending on the global COVID-19 situation.
As of January to September 2020, visitors’ arrival to Sarawak dropped 65.67% to 1,155,754 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (3,366,922) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism receipt declined 66.90% to RM2.78 billion as compared to the same corresponding period in 2019.
Sarawak is expected to slowly recover in 2021, anticipating a total visitor arrival of 1.4 million with an estimated tourism receipt of RM3.5 billion. However, this estimated target will change again depending on the global COVID-19 situation.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs)
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help everyone to follow its procedures or routine operations strictly. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with the industry regulations. The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee, together with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak has developed and produced many SOPs related to the tourism sectors.
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the enforcement of movement restriction and border control has caused a sharp decline in travel and leisure activities. This has resulted in an unprecedented adverse impact on the tourism sector players. Unlike other sectors, the tourism sector needs a longer revitalization period to rebuild tourists’ confidence to visit Sarawak.
With the new norms globally and the reopening of domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak (MTAC) has regularly worked with the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) on the necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the gradual opening of the tourism industry. Some of the SOPs relevant to the tourism industry include SOPs for tour companies, hotels, homestays, museums, national parks, tourist guides, theme parks, creative industry production, official government and private function, live events, music/dance/theatre schools, photography studios, health tourism and MICE. The implementation of the new SOPs shows that MTAC is playing its role in regaining tourists’ confidence to travel safely in Sarawak during this period.
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the enforcement of movement restriction and border control has caused a sharp decline in travel and leisure activities. This has resulted in an unprecedented adverse impact on the tourism sector players. Unlike other sectors, the tourism sector needs a longer revitalization period to rebuild tourists’ confidence to visit Sarawak.
With the new norms globally and the reopening of domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak (MTAC) has regularly worked with the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) on the necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the gradual opening of the tourism industry. Some of the SOPs relevant to the tourism industry include SOPs for tour companies, hotels, homestays, museums, national parks, tourist guides, theme parks, creative industry production, official government and private function, live events, music/dance/theatre schools, photography studios, health tourism and MICE. The implementation of the new SOPs shows that MTAC is playing its role in regaining tourists’ confidence to travel safely in Sarawak during this period.
Tourism Events
To help the tourism industry recover post COVID-19, MTAC will start with small-scale homegrown events with strict precautionary and prevention measures. MTAC will continue to monitor the situation in a stringent manner so as to ensure that Sarawak continues to be a safe destination for both international and domestic visitors. Among the significant events are the Anugerah Seniman Muzik Sarawak, Sarawak Adventure Challenge, Kuching Old Bazaar: Cultural Mapping and Tourism Promotion Programme and the 59th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)’s Asia Pacific Regional Hub 2020.
Digital Tourism
The Sarawak Travel App and Web Portal will continue to give first-hand information while Virtual Reality (AR) and Augmented Reality (VR) will offer memorable experiences and create loyal visitors.
The digitalization of the tourism industry aspires to allow a smooth travel experience for both domestic and international tourists to Sarawak. Through the development of the Sarawak Travel App, tourists will be able to experience Street view of places of attractions such as the Sarawak Cultural Village, Fort Margherita, Old Court House and Square Tower, as well as a 360-degree view of panoramic images of local attractions such the Kuching Waterfront, Mulu National Park.
The Sarawak Travel App would be boosted by integrating the e-commerce platform to support and revive industry players' economic growth and income through digital applications and online services. This will become one of the recovery plans and a great promotion and marketing tool to making digital the "new normal" for tourism by utilizing the Sarawak Travel App for the COVID-19 Sarawak Tourism Promotion Campaign.
The digitalization of the tourism industry aspires to allow a smooth travel experience for both domestic and international tourists to Sarawak. Through the development of the Sarawak Travel App, tourists will be able to experience Street view of places of attractions such as the Sarawak Cultural Village, Fort Margherita, Old Court House and Square Tower, as well as a 360-degree view of panoramic images of local attractions such the Kuching Waterfront, Mulu National Park.
The Sarawak Travel App would be boosted by integrating the e-commerce platform to support and revive industry players' economic growth and income through digital applications and online services. This will become one of the recovery plans and a great promotion and marketing tool to making digital the "new normal" for tourism by utilizing the Sarawak Travel App for the COVID-19 Sarawak Tourism Promotion Campaign.
Tourism Products
Apart from the digital technology initiative, they are aggressively pursuing many projects to establish and upgrade more tourism products and attractions. In the pipeline is the Sarawak Cultures Museum, the second-largest in South East Asia, which is expected to be opened to visitors in 2021. Among other new attractions in progress are the Santubong Archaeological Park and Wallace Centre, Dalat Waterfront, the cascading waterfall at Fort Margerita and Eco-Panorama.
Conclusion
Tourism in Sarawak is now beginning to accelerate from time to time. Therefore, it is hoped that with careful and proper planning and using the latest modern technology, the tourism industry can assist in generating income not only for the state of Sarawak but also the economic sector for the local communities in Sarawak.
The Ministry is also trying to help local communities to participate in community-based tourism such as homestay, local hosts, craft, and souvenirs to reap the benefits from tourism, especially in raising their household income.
In addition, MTAC has conducted a series of Tourism Products Update through Zoom Video Conferencing for local tourism industry players. This effort is to support Sarawak’s tourism players by introducing and showcasing their own products to the session participants.
The Ministry is also trying to help local communities to participate in community-based tourism such as homestay, local hosts, craft, and souvenirs to reap the benefits from tourism, especially in raising their household income.
In addition, MTAC has conducted a series of Tourism Products Update through Zoom Video Conferencing for local tourism industry players. This effort is to support Sarawak’s tourism players by introducing and showcasing their own products to the session participants.
