SARAWAK secured a total of 109 business events worth about US$87 million in total economic impact to create an expected 28,289 job opportunities, according to the Malaysian Borneo state’s convention bureau.
Business Events Sarawak’s latest performance report shows the destination having 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 RM105.5 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.
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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, a spokesman for BESarawak said.
Measures included education for the local industry, a proactive approach to collaborating with stakeholders of varying levels, and Sarawak’s attractive incentivised 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,” said Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (above left), Sarawak’s newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts and Minister of Youth, Sports & Entrepreneur Development.
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“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.”
In March 2021, BESarawak launched its incentivised 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,” said BESarawak’s CEO, Amelia Roziman (above right). “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 mobilising Sarawak’s COVID-19 business events mitigation and recovery plans.
