Malaysia sees tourism boom in 2024 as Gawai festivities light up Sarawak airports
SIBU (June 2): Sarawak's airports came alive with the spirit of Gawai Dayak yesterday, as Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), hosted festive celebrations at Kuching International Airport (KIA) and Sibu Airport.
The events, held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, aimed to share the cultural richness and warmth of Gawai with both domestic and international travellers.
Arriving passengers were welcomed with festive goodies, including Sarawak's iconic kek lapis (layered cake) and promotional materials for VM2026.
At Sibu Airport, Agatha Ting, special duties officer to federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, and Rubiah Tul'Adwiyah Md Yusof, director of Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, were present alongside representatives from partner agencies and tourism associations.
Guests and travellers were also treated to captivating cultural performances by a local dance troupe, showcasing Sarawak's diverse Dayak heritage.
Malaysia welcomed 38 million international visitors last year, marking a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023, and 8.3 per cent above the pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
In a press release yesterday, Tourism Malaysia said the visitor receipts also surged, generating RM106.78 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.7 per cent growth over 2023 and exceeding 2019 figures by 20 per cent.
'This positive trend has continued into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million visitor arrivals, a 21.0 per cent year-on-year increase.
Between January and April 2025, Singapore remained Malaysia's top visitor-generating market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Tourism Malaysia noted that the Gawai Dayak Festival is part of its ongoing effort to promote the essence of Sarawak's cultural tapestry and to invite visitors to experience Malaysian hospitality. Gawai Dayak lead Sibu Airport Tourism Malaysia Visit Malaysia 2026
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
25 years of clay and craft: Ramadas Pottery keeps tradition alive in Kuala Selangor
Having started pottery-making in 1976, Ramadas said demand for clay products remains strong as more people recognise their advantages over modern cookware. 20 Jul 2025 07:00pm V. Ramadas remains dedicated to shaping clay using the 'throwing wheel' technique (a process of shaping clay) inherited from his father to make clay pots, rice cookers and water jars. Photo by Bernama TUCKED behind a row of old shophouses along Jalan Ara here is a pottery workshop that has withstood the test of time for three generations, crafting a range of clay products using time-honoured techniques and tools over 25 years old. This is where Ramadas Pottery, owned by V. Ramadas, 74, is located. He remains dedicated to shaping clay using the 'throwing wheel' technique (a process of shaping clay) inherited from his father to make clay pots, rice cookers and water jars. V. Ramadas remains dedicated to shaping clay using the 'throwing wheel' technique (a process of shaping clay) inherited from his father to make clay pots, rice cookers and water jars. Photo by Bernama "We do use modern pottery machines at the factory, but at this shop, I maintain the traditional methods. Tourists enjoy watching the old techniques, and many want to try making the pottery themselves,' he said when met during the Star Healing 2025 programme organised by Tourism Malaysia at his premises recently. Having started pottery-making in 1976, Ramadas said demand for clay products remains strong as more people recognise their advantages over modern cookware. "These clay pots are cleaner and safer to use. In fact, when SIRIM tested them, it was proven that my pottery is free from chemical content. That's why many customers still choose these pots for traditional cooking,' he explained. According to him, if used regularly, pottery items can last up to a year, and if used as decoration, they can last much longer. Recognised as a Master Craftsperson (Adiguru) in Pottery Craft in 2012, Ramadas didn't just rely on his father's legacy. He expanded his skills by attending courses both locally and abroad, including in Indonesia, India, Vietnam, China and at the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA). "I didn't want my knowledge to end with what my father taught me. That's why I sought out new knowledge to improve my techniques and styles so they evolve with the times,' he said. His relentless efforts bore fruit when the father of three successfully opened his own factory in 2000 with a starting grant of RM2,000, presented by then Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib, after witnessing his skills firsthand. "At the time, he came as a tourist and watched me make pottery the traditional way. After 20 minutes, he immediately offered me assistance,' Ramadas shared. V. Ramadas remains dedicated to shaping clay using the 'throwing wheel' technique (a process of shaping clay) inherited from his father to make clay pots, rice cookers and water jars. Photo by Bernama Today, his factory produces between 3,000 and 4,000 small pottery items per month, while larger pottery products can reach up to 4,000 units monthly for the local market. "I'm happy when people come not just to buy, but to learn. As long as there is interest, I will keep making pottery,' he said, adding that he uses at least one tonne of clay each month to produce his items. For those interested in experiencing the craft, participants need only make an appointment for each session, which lasts two hours and gives them the opportunity to make two basic pottery items from clay, under Ramadas' own guidance. He said the classes attract not only local tourists but also participants from the United States, Russia, and Italy, proving that Malaysia's traditional arts remain relevant and admired internationally. - BERNAMA
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Selangor ramps up bid to be top medical tourism hub
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim. KLANG: Selangor is moving at top speed to strengthen its position as a regional medical tourism hub. State government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said intense promotions have been carried out for the past two years to push Selangor's 42 private hospitals and the world-class health services available here. 'Currently, Selangor is number three after Penang and Melaka in the medical tourism hierarchy. ' According to Ng, Selangor was targeting medical tourists from Indonesia as Malaysia was their destination of choice for second opinions, health screening, cosmetic surgery as well as treatment and surgeries for various ailments. He said affluent Indonesians medical tourists do not usually travel alone, but would bring their families, caregivers and domestic helpers. 'So, while seeking treatment and medical consultation, they also stay in top hotels, visit tourist attractions as well as carry out extensive shopping. 'All these activities are a boon for the state's tourism industry.' Given that medical tourists from Jakarta and Medan prefer going to Penang and Melaka due to the close travel proximity, Ng said in addition to wooing them, Selangor was also exploring other locations in Indonesia. 'We teamed-up with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council and have gone to promote Selangor as a medical tourism hub in Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Makassar. 'We had booths to showcase our private hospitals, the facilities and expertise they offer.' He added that in pursuit of Indonesian medical tourists, Selangor has even conceptualised a campaign with its own theme song dubbed Liburan Sehat Ya Di Selangor Aja! (Enjoy a Healthy Vacation in Selangor!) in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026. He said this was also a good time to woo Indonesian medical tourists who frequent Singapore but are finding it too expensive now due to the strength of the republic's currency. He added that due to intense promotions, medical tourists to Selangor has increased by more than 10% in the first six months of this year. Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said medical tourists came to Malaysia mainly for fertility, gastroenterology and oncology treatments. He added that roughly about 80% came for treatment while the rest came for health screening with the bulk of the medical tourists coming from Indonesia, China and India.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Wooing more Chinese tourists through social media
PETALING JAYA: Plans are in the works to attract more tourists from China by using popular Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (RedNote), WeChat, Weibo and Douyin. This includes partnerships with online influencers to target younger, tech-savvy Chinese visitors, said Tourism Malaysia. Such was part of the agency's efforts to reach out to the Chinese market for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), seeing that many from the Middle Kingdom are turning to social media for travel information. 'We have also noticed a strong shift towards independent travel, especially among younger Chinese visitors who rely heavily on digital platforms like Xiaohongshu, Bilibili and Dianping for travel inspiration and planning. 'This trend reflects a desire for flexibility, personalisation, and real-time access to information and recommendations,' Tourism Malaysia told The Star . China now ranks as the third-largest source of international visitors to Malaysia, following Singapore and Indonesia. The agency, under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, was asked to comment on the role of social media and influencers in guiding tourists from China on their visit to Malaysia. From following trends like cool photo spots to viral food videos, a growing number of Chinese tourists were using social media to plan their travel itineraries here. 'It is undeniable that social media platforms play a role in promoting Malaysia to Chinese visitors as their content shapes perceptions, builds interest, and directly influences travel decisions. 'For example, with more than 300 million monthly active users, Xiaohongshu plays a critical role in shaping consumer travel choices in China, especially among younger audiences and free independent travellers,' Tourism Malaysia said. These types of content strongly influence young travellers, helping to drive viral trends, such as visiting specific photo spots or trying iconic local foods, which can inspire large numbers of followers to visit the same places. Examples of such trends are taking pictures in front of the Maybank branch in Gaya Street, Sabah or trying roti tisu at mamak shops. Previously, Tourism Malaysia announced that it will operate an official Xiaohongshu account, publishing engaging travel content from every state in Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia said its marketing plan for China for VM2026 also included developing Mandarin-language content and marketing materials to better connect with Chinese visitors, highlighting cultural festivals, eco-adventures and luxury offerings. 'We also plan to collaborate with Chinese tour operators to create tailored travel experiences that cater to Chinese preferences, including shopping, cultural experiences, and eco-tourism,' it said. To attract Chinese Muslim travellers, efforts will also be made to highlight Malaysia's strengths in halal-friendly tourism and wellness retreats. 'We will also be increasing collaboration with airlines and travel agencies to boost direct flights and offer attractive package deals through travel agencies,' Tourism Malaysia said. With the extension of the visa-free policy for China nationals and enhanced air connectivity, these measures are expected to drive continued growth in visitor arrivals from China, it added. 'In fact, from January to April this year, Malaysia welcomed 1.4 million visitor arrivals from China, a robust 37.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. 'It's also a 22.6% increase compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019,' it said. Chinese travellers have shown a strong preference for destinations that offer a blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and modern conveniences, said Tourism Malaysia. 'Among the most popular locations are Kuala Lumpur, known for its iconic landmarks and shopping experiences, as well as Penang, famed for its heritage, street art, and unique local cuisine. 'Sabah, especially Kota Kinabalu, is also highly favoured for island-hopping and nature experiences,' it said.
