Tourist arrivals in Sarawak have recorded an increase in the first three months of this year, with stronger inflows particularly from Europe as well as regional markets including Indonesia, Brunei, China and Singapore, according to a state official.
State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sebastian Ting said the ongoing global conflicts have not impacted Sarawak’s tourism sector, which continues to show positive growth momentum.
He noted that Brunei remains the largest source of visitors to the state, adding that current geopolitical tensions have not disrupted travel demand to Sarawak.
“The highest number of tourists coming here is from Brunei. The conflict has not affected us,” he said after officiating the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival in Kuching, as reported by The Borneo Post.
Ting expressed optimism that the festival could develop into one of Sarawak’s signature cultural attractions, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.
He explained that the worship of Mazu, the sea goddess, has long been linked to fishing communities, including those in Sarawak, reflecting the deep maritime heritage shared across the region.
The Mazu statue from the ancestral temple in Meizhou Island, China, arrived in Kuching on Thursday ahead of the festival.
Mazu is widely regarded as a powerful sea deity and protector of sailors and fishermen, and is worshipped by millions of devotees, particularly in Taiwan, Southeast Asia and coastal regions of China.
