Striking a balance between tourism growth and conservation

SINGAPORE, 17 October 2025 – The second day of the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre brought into focus Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable tourism and cultural empowerment. In his keynote address titled “Sustainable Tourism in Sarawak: Balancing Growth and Conservation,” Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, outlined a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that places nature, culture, and community at the heart of development.

“Growth, for us, is necessary. But unchecked expansion that compromises our ecological integrity or our cultural dignity is a price we refuse to pay,” he said, acknowledging the global challenges of overtourism and positioned Sarawak as a destination still in its growth phase.

“In Sarawak, this balance is a conscious choice, a guiding principle, and most importantly, a daily practice,” he continued.

Sarawak’s regenerative tourism model is underpinned by its vast natural assets, including 62% forest cover and 67 Totally Protected Areas. These encompass 47 national parks, 15 nature reserves, and five wildlife sanctuaries. Gunung Mulu and Niah National Parks, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are pillars of Sarawak’s biodiversity and archaeological heritage. Bako and Bukit Lambir National Parks on the other hand are set to be conferred as ASEAN Heritage Parks in November 2025, while the Sarawak Delta Geopark is progressing towards UNESCO Global Geopark status by May 2026.

Karim went on to say that in 2026, all visitors to Totally Protected Areas will be accompanied by licenced local guides. This policy, he said, was designed to protect ecosystems and create dignified livelihoods. With 231 active park guides today, Sarawak aims to expand this to 300 by 2030.

He also emphasised the fact that culture is the foundation of tourism in Sarawak.

“Our culture is our identity, and our identity is our strength,” he quoted the Premier of Sarawak, adding that Sarawak’s society of 34 ethnic groups is a living testament to this ethos.

Still on the subject of culture, he said the Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund and the ASPIRE programme helped to nurture young creatives and revive heritage skills such as Keringkam embroidery, while the RM300 million Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, a reinvention of the Old DUN, would become a landmark for Indigenous and contemporary expression.

Flagship festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS), and the Sarawak Regatta serve as platforms for sustainability, youth engagement, and cultural exchange. In 2024, RWMF achieved an 85% reduction in single-use plastics and planted over 6,200 trees under the EcoGreen Planet initiative.

“These are platforms where sustainability is practised, social cohesiveness solidified, and traditions celebrated as living heritage,” Karim said.

Sarawak’s cultural economy, he said, is gaining international traction. Kuching’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and World Craft City affirms its global relevance. The Sarawak Craft Council Ordinance 2023 and the upcoming Sarawak Craft Centre ensure authenticity, fair pricing, and export readiness. In Q3 2025, Sarawak’s crafts sector recorded RM13.5 million in sales, with artisans gaining acclaim at the Révélations Biennale in Paris.

Karim also positioned Sarawak as a rare offering in today’s tourism landscape, unspoiled by mass-market tourism yet fully equipped to welcome the world.

“We are not trying to be the next Bali or Phuket. We are the Gateway to Borneo, where ancient rainforests meet smart policy, where culture is not choreographed, but lived,” he said.

Sarawak’s strategy is precise and purpose-driven, he said, and Singapore serves as a strategic hub, linking Sarawak to global air routes and regional travellers seeking authenticity and wellness. In North Asia, demand is rising for nature-based, immersive travel and Sarawak is ready, offering rainforest retreats and Indigenous-led forest-bathing experiences. For European visitors, Sarawak has carved a niche as a premium, low-impact destination.

Karim identified three key differentiators:

• Biodiversity as a living asset, with over 8,000 species and new discoveries still unfolding.

• Culture as community, where visitors are welcomed as guests, not spectators.

• Sustainability as systemic, embedded in every decision, from park policies to artisan platforms.

In closing, the Minister said that in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Sarawak emerges as a beacon of responsible travel.

“This Fair is a statement that Sarawak is ready to engage the world with stories, purpose, and leadership. To experience Sarawak is to walk slower, listen deeper, and feel more,” he concluded.

While the Conference & Exhibition component of the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 concludes later today, the Carnival & Gastronomy continues until 19 October at the Convention Atrium as well as Tower 1&2 Atrium respectively.

The inaugural Sarawak Mega Fair is organised by the Sarawak government through the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS).