Sarawak’s medical tourism revenue rises 27pc to RM203.2 million in 2025

KUCHING, 12 October 2026: Sarawak’s medical tourism sector recorded RM203.2 million in healthcare traveller revenue in 2025, a 27 per cent increase from RM160.2 million in 2024, as the State strengthens its ambition to become a regional hub for advanced healthcare and medical tourism.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the number of healthcare travellers also rose by 36 per cent, from 76,796 in 2024 to 104,323 last year, reflecting growing demand for the State’s healthcare services.

He said the sector continued to show positive momentum in the first half of 2026, with healthcare traveller revenue reaching RM109.9 million, up 21 per cent from RM90.6 million in the corresponding period last year.

The number of healthcare travellers increased by four per cent, from 46,793 to 48,480 over the same period.

“These are encouraging results. They reflect growing demand for Sarawak’s healthcare services and the potential for medical tourism to contribute more significantly to our State’s economic development,” he said when officiating the inaugural Borneo Global MediTourism Congress and Expo (BGMT) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today.

Abdul Karim said the faster growth in revenue compared with traveller numbers in the first half of 2026 presented an opportunity for Sarawak to strengthen the value of its healthcare services, improve patient experiences and attract more international patients seeking quality medical care.

He stressed that medical tourism should not be viewed solely as a healthcare initiative, but as a broader economic opportunity benefiting tourism, hospitality, transportation and other service-related industries.

Patients travelling to Sarawak for treatment often bring family members, stay for days or weeks, and require accommodation, food, transportation and other services, creating additional economic opportunities for local businesses.

“Medical tourism is not simply a healthcare opportunity. It is an economic opportunity for Sarawak,” he said.

Kuching currently has five private hospitals, with three more expected to enter the market. The developments represent approximately RM1.45 billion in committed private healthcare investment in the city.

Among the projects is Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching by HMI Medical, a 300-bed tertiary specialist hospital involving a Phase One investment of more than RM400 million and targeted to open in 2029.

The minister said the investment would help expand specialist capabilities, introduce advanced technology and develop centres of excellence to serve patients from Sarawak, elsewhere in Malaysia and the wider region.

With its strategic position on Borneo and proximity to Indonesia, Brunei, Sabah and the southern Philippines, Sarawak should look beyond its own population of approximately 2.5 million when developing its medical tourism market.

“We must think of Borneo. We must think ASEAN. And ultimately, we must think globally,” he said.

Abdul Karim said the state aspired to become a regional hub for advanced healthcare, medical education, biomedical research and digital health innovation, while attracting investment, developing local talent and creating opportunities for businesses.

He called for closer collaboration among government agencies, hospitals, hotels, airlines, technology companies, universities, tourism operators and investors to build a competitive and sustainable medical tourism industry.

He also welcomed the inaugural BGMT as a platform for industry players to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and explore investment opportunities, expressing hope that the event would grow into an important annual gathering with stronger international participation.

Meanwhile, BGMT organising chairperson and Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok said the inaugural congress had brought together 51 participating companies representing different segments of the medical tourism ecosystem, with almost 500 delegates attending the congress and discussions.

More than 10 countries were represented, while the two-day exhibition was expected to attract over 2,000 visitors.

She said BGMT was conceived to bring together healthcare providers, tourism organisations, hospitality businesses, aviation companies, technology firms, investors, research institutions and medical facilitators to develop a more integrated medical tourism ecosystem.

“We therefore asked ourselves; how do we bring all these different sectors together? And the answer is BGMT. This event is an excellent platform where the ecosystem can meet to exchange ideas, where partnerships can be created and businesses can find opportunities. 

“This is where international markets can discover Sarawak, where we can begin a conversation about the future of medical tourism in Borneo,” she said.

Audry said Sarawak's strategic location and improving connectivity offered significant opportunities to reach markets across Borneo, ASEAN and the southern Philippines, but stressed that geographical advantages needed to be supported by quality healthcare that met international standards.

She expressed hope that BGMT would grow into a regional platform connecting Borneo to the world, creating business opportunities and strengthening Sarawak's reputation as a credible and trusted medical tourism destination.

Themed “Shaping Sarawak’s Role in the Global Medical Tourism Landscape”, the two-day congress is held on October 12 and 13. The programme features discussions on Malaysia’s national vision for medical tourism and the ASEAN market, including sessions on building regional medical tourism hubs, connecting patients with hospitals across borders, and developing long-stay experiences for medical visitors. Eight business-to-business (B2B) meeting tables operate concurrently at the B2B Lounge, supported by an AI-powered matchmaking platform to connect delegates with potential business partners.

Delegates from Australia, Brunei, Egypt, France, Singapore, India, Nigeria and the Philippines are participating alongside representatives from Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur. 

BGMT 2026 is co-organised by the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and Orbitel Systems, in association with Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and in collaboration with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).