The reopening of Sarawak state borders has resulted in an increase in tourist numbers.
Since the reopening of the state borders, the tourist and hospitality business has seen an increase in visitors, particularly Sarawakians returning from overseas.
Extra passengers are expected to visit Sarawak, according to Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok, with more flights in the Singapore-Kuching, Singapore-Miri, and Royal Brunei Airlines sectors.
The industry, on the other hand, was grappling with the implementation of the RM1,500 minimum wage, which began this month.
Prior to the implementation of the minimum wage, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri M Saravanan declared an exemption for farmers, hotels, and tourism industries, as well as businesses with fewer than five employees, but was surprised when the tourism industry was not exempted.
Many businesses’ costs were growing due to increased raw material and food costs, making it harder for them to make ends meet when the minimum wage was raised. Furthermore, the wage subsidy had already been terminated.
Meanwhile, Sarawak MAH chairman John Teo said the number of visitors from Brunei will increase if the land and sea borders were opened, presumably by May 16, and air travel was allowed with flights between Brunei-Kuching and Brunei-Miri beginning May 1.
Since May 1, hotel bookings have skyrocketed, with nearly all hotels in Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu reporting 80 percent occupancy during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival.
Another campaign is for hotels on the Hotel Sarawak website, as well as the Sarawak Escape promotion with AirAsia, which offers hotel and travel packages.
