1 week Ago By Henrietta Liza
The renowned Indonesian rock band Nidji delivers an electrifying performance at the Nidji – Pelangi 2025 concert at Stadium Perpaduan, Kuching. – Photo by Henrietta LizaKUCHING (April 28): The hosting of more concerts in Sarawak is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of local tourism, particularly in increasing visitor arrivals, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts of Sarawak made the statement in a press conference following his attendance at the Nidji – Pelangi 2025 Concert at Stadium Perpaduan recently.
“The impact has already been visible since the beginning of this year when the state government organised the 2025 New Year’s Eve concert here, featuring the renowned Indonesian singer Hetty Koes Endang.“We observed a significant influx of vehicles from West Kalimantan. The three consecutive days leading up to the New Year at the CIQS Tebedu checkpoint were particularly congested.
Many visitors were on holiday, and they were also aware that Hetty Koes Endang was performing at that time. Similarly, in Miri, when Nidji performed last year, there was a notable turnout from Brunei,” he explained.The concert, attended by nearly 3,000 people, also featured performances from local Malaysian artists, including The Beretta’s, Zah Amirul, Bob Yunus, and Drama Band, alongside Nidji.
Abdul Karim expressed his strong support for the local music industry, noting his desire to see success and confidence built by local artists through their performances at future festivals.“We certainly encourage these efforts, and today I am incredibly proud to see that the organisers are involving local small businesses and incorporating traditional cultural elements into the event,” he said.The audience is captivated by the dynamic performances on stage during the event.
Furthermore, he revealed that the Sarawak government is in discussions to bring a famous artist from the United States to perform exclusively in Kuching, with the event expected to take place in October.In addition, Karim announced that the legendary group Earth, Wind and Fire will be performing at the 2025 Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).On a separate note, Abdul Karim highlighted the state’s efforts to upgrade several potential eco-tourism destinations, such as the Sabal Forest Reserve, Gunung Gading, and Tanjung Datu, which will likely attract more visitors to Sarawak.
“All of these locations feature unique natural treasures. That is why we are focusing on improving the infrastructure at places like Sabal, Gunung Gading, and Tanjung Datu, including the development of chalets, which will draw tourists to Sarawak,” he said.“Moreover, one of Sarawak’s major eco-tourism attractions is its Natural Parks and National Parks.
We have seen that tourists rarely miss the opportunity to visit the Orangutan Sanctuary, Bako National Park, and other such sites. These destinations play a significant role in attracting visitors to Sarawak.”Last Friday, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, announced plans for the state government to upgrade Sabal Forest Reserve as a nature tourism destination.
He stated that the upgrade would include the development of modern accommodation facilities in the area to attract more visitors, particularly nature enthusiasts.The post Concerts and eco-tourism upgrades set to drive Sarawak’s visitor growth appeared first on Borneo Post Online..
