Sarawak eyes 5 mln tourists this year as WAK Festival kicks off
KUCHING (Aug 13): Sarawak is targeting five million tourist arrivals this year, with 2.4 million already recorded as of July, said State Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Speaking at the launch of the What About Kuching (WAK) Festival 2025 calendar at the Kuching Old Court House today, Abdul Karim said the state remains on track to meet its goal, though high airfare prices continue to pose a challenge.
'We've seen economy class fares hit RM800, and even more than RM1,000 at times. Prices are always driven by demand and supply.
'I'm looking forward to our new state airline, which could help stabilise rates.
'Apart from that, I do hope also that the airlines that are servicing now, whether it's MAS (Malaysia Airlines), whether it's AirAsia, whether it's Batik Air, they have to be considered and make sure that everything is in order,' he said.
Abdul Karim stressed that flagship events like WAK play a crucial role in attracting visitors while showcasing Sarawak's rich arts, culture, and creative industries.
This year's WAK, themed 'Roots', interpreted as 'We Are Kindred', will feature 49 partners, 67 events, and 369 programmes across 44 venues in and around Kuching, covering music, theatre, visual arts, crafts, gastronomy, and community activities.
He noted that the festival's momentum had already begun building through its June satellite editions in Sibu and Miri, which drew strong crowds and highlighted WAK's role in uniting communities.
Looking ahead, Abdul Karim said the International Dragon Boat Regatta will take place this October, featuring teams from 20 countries, making it one of the busiest tourism months for Sarawak.
He urged more stakeholders and sponsors to support such events to reinforce Sarawak's position as a unique cultural destination.
Also present were State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Kuching tourism WAK Festival
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