Latest news with #TMM2026
Borneo Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid: Sarawak on track for 5 mln tourist arrivals in 2025
Ahmad Zahid expresses his confidence in Sarawak, stating that the state's current performance has proven this. – File photo SARATOK (June 22): Sarawak is on track to achieve its target of five million tourist arrivals and generate RM12.73 billion in tourism revenue this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid expressed his confidence in Sarawak, stating that the state's current performance has proven this. 'In the first four months of this year alone, Sarawak received more than 1.6 million visitors, generating tourism revenue of RM4.07 billion. 'God willing, we are on the right track to achieve the target of five million tourist arrivals and RM12.73 billion in tourism revenue for 2025,' he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for Kampung Kupang-Jalan Bajau junction road project held at Rumah Rengan in Selambong here today. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism and Culture (JKPK), said Sarawak has a rich culture, a variety of tourism products, and a unique heritage that can be the main driver for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM 2026) Campaign. 'We have set a target of 35.6 million international visitors with a potential economic return of RM147.1 billion in conjunction with TMM 2026. 'So, this is where the important role of all of us is to take advantage of our political stability and close relationships to attract more visitors to Sarawak. 'As the JKPK chairman, I do not want Sarawak to be left behind,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the 19.9-kilometre road project will create new connectivity for at least 5,000 residents in the surrounding areas, especially Kampung Kupang. The project was approved under the Ministry Rural and Regional Development's (KKDW) Rural Road Programme (JALB) at a cost of RM122.5 million with Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) as the implementing agency. Work began on Jan 14 this year and it is expected to be fully completed on Sept 14, 2027. The scope of the project is to upgrade the existing road to a paved road in accordance with JKR standards and includes the construction of five bridges. 'After this, it will be more convenient for residents in Rumah Rabiah, Rumah Ganing, Rumah Rengan, Rumah Lakon, Rumah Anau, SK Sungai Entebu, SK Nanga Abu, Rumah Bajau Baru and other areas to commute to Saratok town. 'In addition to a more comfortable and safer route, it will cut short their travel time to Saratok town up to one hour thus helping to stimulate the socio-economic development of Saratok and its surroundings, as well as creating new job opportunities and industries.' Ahmad Zahid urged the selected contractors to adhere strictly to the schedule and specifications. 'Regular monitoring by the Sarawak JKR is also very important to ensure that the progress and quality of the work is always under control. 'This is because the people today do not just want the existence of infrastructure. They want quality infrastructure that is completed on time and provides comprehensive benefits,' he said. In line with these developments, Ahmad Zahid encouraged local residents to participate in entrepreneurial activities. 'Infrastructural developments such as roads not only connect villages to towns, but also open up opportunities for local economic growth. 'Therefore, I would like the community in this area to take advantage of these facilities by venturing into entrepreneurship, whether in the modern agriculture, handicrafts, e-commerce or community tourism sectors. 'Under KKDW, we have many initiatives to assist entrepreneurs such as the Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Support Program (SPKLB), Income Enhancement Programme (PPP), Rural Economy Financing Scheme (SPED) including entrepreneurship programs operated by agencies under KKDW such as Mara, Risda, Felcra and others. 'All these initiatives aim to provide access to rural residents to participate in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as one of the main strategies to eradicate extreme poverty and continuously generate new job opportunities in rural areas. 'When there are facilities, there is support and there is enthusiasm, rural entrepreneurship can be a way out of poverty,' he said. ahmad zahid hamidi lead tourism revenye tourist arrivals
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Tourism Malaysia Organising Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, Prizes Worth RM100,000 Await Winners
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is organising the 'Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025' photo and video competition from June 1 to 31 August 31, as part of efforts to intensify the promotion of tourism destinations in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026). Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the tourism-themed competition is open to all Malaysians, foreign residents and international visitors with a total prize pool of RM100,000. He said participants have the opportunity to win four main prizes, namely RM15,000 for the photo category and RM25,000 for the video category for phone users, as well as RM25,000 (photo category) and RM35,000 (video category) for camera users. Participants of the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 need to submit photos or videos online, along with copies of receipts as proof of travel activities, such as accommodation at registered and licensed premises, purchase of tickets to tourist attractions or booking of domestic transport tickets dated between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2025. 'This competition is among the high-impact initiatives in intensifying the country's tourism promotion efforts creatively and to encourage domestic and international visitors to promote the beauty of Malaysia through photos and videos on their social media channels,' he said He said this in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025, which was read out by MOTAC Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) here, today. According to Khairul Firdaus, Tourism Malaysia is also holding a 'Fam Trip' programme for local and ASEAN influencers from June 13 to 15 by receiving sponsorship of 10 cars from Perodua to introduce interesting tourist destinations. Later, at a press conference, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung said the Malaysia Photo Hunt 2025 can also provide exposure and promotion to interesting destinations in the country, especially those that are not known to many. "Maybe Malaysians themselves do not know about the existence of these maybe it can be developed later and we hope this programme can provide exposure and offer more new products to international tourists," he said.
