PTM Knowledge Forum: Tourism, Partnerships & Purposeful Growth
- BT
- 5 hours ago
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KUCHING, 18 August 2026: The 2026 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart is happening in Kuching until August 20, 2026, providing a dynamic platform for connecting global buyers and sellers across a wide spectrum of the tourism sector – from luxury travel and hospitality to adventure, aviation, wellness, cultural tourism and more at one of the longest-running B2B travel trade exhibitions in the Asia Pacific region.
The PTM Knowledge Forum, which took place at Sheraton Hotel Kuching earlier today, was led by Chief Development Officer at South China Morning Post, Eugene Tang, who interviewed Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on the region’s future in tourism, in line with PTM 2026’s theme of ‘The Next Era: Impactful Partnerships, Purposeful Growth’.
“Tourism will continue to play an important role in Sarawak’s broader development because its impact extends beyond the tourism sector itself. We see tourism as an economic multiplier that creates opportunities across many areas, including hospitality, transport, food & beverage, creative industries, local business and community-based tourism operators,” said the minister when asked about his vision for the state’s future in tourism. “Moving forward, our focus is on developing tourism that is inclusive, sustainable and beneficial to communities, as we want visitors to experience Sarawak in a deeper way, not only by seeing our attractions, but by understanding our stories, engaging with our communities and appreciating our heritage.”
When it comes to delivering lasting benefits for local communities, businesses and future generations through tourism, Dato Sri Abdul Karim shared that Sarawak’s most valuable tourism experiences are rooted in communities, from longhouse experiences and traditional crafts to local food production and cultural performances, which allows visitors to connect with authentic Sarawak while creating income opportunities for local people. This makes way for purposeful growth, which encourages visitors to spend more time in Sarawak, explore beyond major gateways, discover different regions and engage with local experiences.
“At the same time, purposeful growth requires us to protect the assets that make Sarawak unique. Our forests, biodiversity, heritage and cultural traditions are not only attractions for today; they are valuable resources that must be preserved for future generations, which is why sustainability is integrated into Sarawak’s tourism approach. From community-based tourism that enables local communities to participate in and benefit from tourism, to the protection and restoration of our natural environment, the focus is on creating value while safeguarding the assets on which tourism depends.”
During the session, Dato Sri Abdul Karim placed an emphasis on sustainability and tourism development being managed hand in hand, noting that Sarawak’s greatest tourism assets remain its rainforests, biodiversity, rivers, marine ecosystems and living cultures. “Protecting them while ensuring communities benefit from tourism is essential to long-term growth. This approach can be seen across Sarawak through community-based tourism, where local communities participate directly in tourism and benefit from homestays, cultural experiences, handicrafts, local food and nature-based activities, creating economic opportunities while encouraging the preservation of local culture, traditions and knowledge.”
“At agency level, Sarawak Tourism Board contributes to this wider direction through initiatives such as EcoGreen Planet, developed in partnership with Sarawak Forestry Corporation. STB recently completed its 10,000-tree commitment ahead of the Rainforest World Music Festival’s 30th anniversary in 2027. The latest effort involved planting approximately 3,800 mangrove seedlings at Rajang Mangrove National Park, supporting ecosystem restoration, carbon storage, coastal protection and the wellbeing of surrounding riverside communities.”
“We are also embedding sustainability into how tourism experiences and events are managed. At the Rainforest World Music Festival, responsible event practices include waste segregation, recycling and composting. In 2025, the festival achieved a 31.3% waste diversion rate, with approximately 1,550 kg of waste recycled or composted. Ultimately, balancing tourism growth with sustainability means looking at the whole ecosystem. It is about protecting landscapes and biodiversity, strengthening community participation and local livelihoods, and ensuring tourism activities are managed responsibly.”
“The world is constantly evolving and it’s up to the leaders of today – whether you’re a political leader or leader in the tourism industry – to ensure that they are being preserved for our future generations,” he added.
