RWMF 2025 draws more families, paves way for bigger celebrations ahead

Borneo Post

3 days ago

Abdul Karim speaks to reporters during the press conference. – Photo by Agnes Tugong
KUCHING (June 26): This year's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), which just concluded, recorded 22,148 attendees, fewer than last year's 26,000, said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
However, he said the shift in audience demographics reflects a growing trend of family-based tourism and higher-spending visitors to Sarawak, noting that the festival remained a success despite the marginal drop in attendance.
'It might be fewer than last year, but what we're seeing is more families attending together, which is a good sign of bonding and inclusivity,' he told reporters after the Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament press conference here today.
Abdul Karim added that 2026 and 2027 would be milestone years for RWMF, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2027.
'We've already started planning with the CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board to make the next two editions even bigger in conjunction with the 30th celebration,' he said.
He also acknowledged rising competition in the regional music scene, especially following the post-pandemic surge in concerts across Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila.
'Now, almost every month, you have big names performing in the region.
'Ticket prices are high, so people may choose to attend concerts elsewhere rather than travel to Kuching again,' he noted.
To address this, Abdul Karim said the state government continues to support event organisers through seed funding to help lower ticket prices and make local events more accessible.
'That's why you go to RWMF, you just need to pay RM200 plus.
'Whereas if you go to a concert in Singapore, it would cost you probably RM1,000,' he said.
On Sarawak's overall tourism performance, he said that while visitor arrivals from January to May this year were slightly lower compared to the same period in 2024, tourism receipts had increased significantly.
'If we look at January to May and also look at the number of visitors in Sarawak this year and last year, last year was slightly more.
'But tourism receipts, we have much more,' he said.
He attributed the stronger earnings to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, who tend to spend more during their stays.
'From January to May, we recorded over RM1 billion in tourism receipts every month, which reflects the increased spending power of international visitors,' he said.
Abdul Karim emphasised that the value of tourism lies not just in the number of visitors, but also in the quality of experiences and the broader economic impact.
'That's why we have got sport events, we have got musical events, we have food and culture events, we have got 'What About Kuching' (WAK), which will cater for the youth.
'So when everyone is being looked after, there is something for everyone,' he said. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Rainforest World Music Festival rwmf