Sarawak drew 22.7 million domestic visitors in 2025, marking a 15.8 per cent jump from the 19.6 million recorded the year prior, according to figures highlighted during the final leg of a nationwide tourism campaign. That local surge runs parallel to broader national numbers showing 151.6 million domestic tourist trips during the first half of 2026, generating RM66.8 billion in spending—a 14 per cent rise over the same period in 2025.
Sarawak Tourism Campaign Closes Tour in Kuching
The numbers were spotlighted as the Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (SKCCM) 2026 arrived at Plaza Merdeka in Kuching for its sixth and final stop, running through Nov 1, 2026, after prior editions wound through Pahang, Johor, Sabah, Penang, and Selangor. Organized by Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with Star Media Group Berhad, the event brought together 37 exhibition booths featuring travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and resorts.
Mohd Roslan Abdullah, senior director of the Domestic and Events Division at Tourism Malaysia, pointed to the state’s diverse attractions during the opening ceremony, noting that the turnout validates local appeal.
“This reflects Sarawak’s potential as a travel destination offering a variety of experiences, from natural beauty and geo-heritage attractions to cultural heritage and local gastronomy,”
he said.
The campaign surpassed expectations by drawing more than 240,000 visitors, beating its initial 200,000 target. Total sales hit RM3.5 million, climbing well past the initial RM1 million goal. Mohd Roslan noted that the initiative directly supports the ongoing Visit Malaysia Campaign 2026–2027.
Kuching Carnival Offers Budget Deals and New Batik Air Routes
The Kuching carnival showcased budget-conscious holiday deals, including packages to Semporna, Tawau, and Kota Kinabalu starting at RM180. Three-day, two-night trips to Langkawi were priced from RM299, while local hotel and homestay stays started at RM100 per night.
Visitors looking to venture beyond domestic boundaries or connect further within the region will soon gain additional travel options. Batik Air is set to launch three new direct routes from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang this December. Flights to Miri and Sibu in Sarawak begin on December 1, 2026, operating three times a week, while a new Subang-to-Bali route starts on December 2, 2026, operating four times weekly.
Back at the Kuching exhibition, prominent figures attended the opening event, including Star Media Group chief operating officer Lydia Wang, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Sarawak Chapter chairman Dayang Azizah Abang Zaidan, Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok, and Perbadanan Putrajaya corporate communications director Khalilurrahman Kamaruz-Zaman.
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