Sarawak secured a total of 109 business events with an estimated RM 365 million in total economic impact, RM 21.4 million in tax revenue and approximately 28, 289 new job opportunities in the horizon from 2020 to 2021.
In business events, Sarawak’s latest performance report, the destination has secured at least 43,471 delegates over a total of 160,142 delegate days worth RM 193.7 million in direct delegate expenditure. In terms of physical-to-virtual conversions, 34 events worth RM 105.5 million in total economic impact have been converted, forfeiting the arrival of over 12,000 delegates, RM57.3 million in direct delegate expenditure and 8,370 new job openings.
Despite several events being converted to virtual, these figures are a statement of achievement for Sarawak as the destination continues to recover from the pandemic. Various initiatives were implemented to support recovery efforts and keep the destination active in the national and international scene; such as the provision of education for the local industry, a proactive approach to collaborating with stakeholders of varying levels, and Sarawak’s attractive incentivized packages for local, national, and international business events planners.
“Business events are playing an increasingly important role in developing Sarawak as an economically prosperous, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable destination by 2030,” says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts and Minister of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneur Development. “The sector’s involvement in achieving the Sarawak Government’s Post Covid-19 Development Goals is centred around delivering and optimising knowledge, innovation, and partnerships from business events.”
Sarawak made all the right moves to attract business events planners during the most fragile of times. In March 2021, BESarawak launched its incentivized packages to support the sector’s recovery efforts and provide valuable financial and in-kind support to planners. “The incentives and comprehensive support offered are integral to the sector’s rehabilitation,” says BESarawak’s CEO, Amelia Roziman. “Most importantly, these offers are appealing to planners and catering to today’s event needs. Beyond incentives, our team continues to provide pre and post event support to ensure the best possible client experience that reflects Sarawak’s hospitality.”
Sarawak recently entered phase four of Malaysia’s National Recovery Plan, forecasting a positive restart for business events and a better outlook for the sector as a whole. For 2022, BESarawak will continue to place destination development high on its priority through promoting legacy impact and mobilizing Sarawak’s COVID-19 business events mitigation and recovery plans.
To enquire on organizing and hosting business events in Sarawak, please email Donny Tan (Conventions & Exhibitions) at donny@sarawakcb.com or Crystal Phang (Corporate Meetings & Corporate Incentives) at crystal@sarawakcb.com.
