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Our Solidarity and Commitment to Responsible Actions for Sustainable Development
World Tourism Day (WTD) Sarawak
A local celebration of a global event.
World Tourism Day (WTD) in Sarawak is a unique and locally celebrated manifestation of the global event that takes place every year. This celebration has been a significant part of Sarawak's tourism calendar since 2021, with each year marked by diverse themes reflecting the region's commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Unlike the global event, which is observed internationally, Sarawak's celebration is localized and rotates across different states within the region. This dynamic approach ensures that various communities across Sarawak have the opportunity to actively participate and showcase their distinct cultural and natural heritage.
The WTD Sarawak events are known for their rich and varied programs, featuring keynote speeches, plenary presentations, roundtable discussions, conferences, and workshops. These components collectively contribute to a robust platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration within the tourism industry.
A notable highlight of WTD Sarawak is the inclusion of experiential tours in the different states. For instance, recent events featured an immersive tour in Bau and Miri, providing participants with hands-on experiences that showcase the unique attractions and sustainable practices in these areas.
As WTD Sarawak continues to evolve, it remains a testament to the region's dedication to responsible tourism and the development of sustainable practices. The celebration not only brings global perspectives to the local stage but also allows Sarawak to contribute its narratives, challenges, and successes to the larger global discourse on tourism.
2024
Tourism and Peace
World Tourism Day Sarawak 2024 was uniquely celebrated in conjunction with the prestigious 18th UN Tourism Executive Training Programme (ETP) on Tourism Policy and Strategy, held from October 28 to 31 at Sheraton Kuching Hotel. This milestone marked the first time Sarawak hosted a major UN Tourism event, bringing together international delegates, UN Tourism officials, and local stakeholders. ​
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The celebration was infused with vibrant cultural performances, a showcase of local culinary heritage, and technical tours that highlighted Sarawak’s steadfast commitment to responsible tourism. These activities underscored Sarawak’s unique identity as a hub for cultural and natural heritage while providing a meaningful platform for dialogue on the connections between tourism, peace, and sustainable development.
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One of the special highlights of this year’s World Tourism Day was a video presentation featuring congratulatory messages from countries across Asia, celebrating Sarawak’s success in hosting the 18th ETP and its invaluable contributions to global tourism. This virtual component not only brought the celebration to a global audience but also reinforced Sarawak’s leadership in promoting responsible and inclusive tourism.
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The celebration of World Tourism Day Sarawak 2024 was a testament to Sarawak’s alignment with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and its ambition to position itself as a leader in sustainable and responsible tourism. By hosting this historic event, Sarawak has cemented its role as a key contributor to international tourism discourse, forging synergies between tourism and peace while creating lasting impacts on local and global levels.
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As Sarawak continues its journey to redefine tourism, this year’s celebration served as a powerful reminder of the shared potential to foster a peaceful and sustainable future through tourism. Together, we celebrate the spirit of “Tourism and Peace”—a guiding vision for Sarawak’s role in shaping the future of global travel.
2023
Tourism and Green Investments
The World Tourism Day Sarawak 2023 was celebrated in Miri from 23rd to 24th September 2023, marking another milestone in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in the region. Hosted at the Pullman Hotel, Miri, the event focused on the theme “Tourism and Green Investments”, reflecting the growing importance of environmentally-conscious investments in shaping the future of tourism. ​
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The event kicked off with a Dialogue on Tourism and Green Investments, where key tourism stakeholders shared insights and strategies on how green investments can drive sustainable growth in the tourism industry. This was followed by insightful presentations from tourism stakeholders, highlighting innovative practices that are shaping the future of tourism in Sarawak.
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One of the interactive highlights was the Workshop "Unleashing Miri's Tourism Potential: World Café for Creative Event Ideas," where participants engaged in collaborative brainstorming to come up with fresh and innovative ideas to enhance Miri’s tourism offerings. This was complemented by a lively Panel Discussion "Empowering Events: Building a Vibrant Tourism Identity for Miri," where experts discussed the role of events in creating a unique and dynamic tourism identity for the region. These sessions underscored the importance of collaboration, creativity, and investment in driving Miri's tourism sector towards a sustainable and thriving future.
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An experiential tour of Miri was facilitated by Curtin Malaysia with the pursuit to ‘Experience the Amazing Miri as Responsible Visitors’ and designed with agendas that invest in green: people, planet and prosperity. The fieldtrip included a courtesy visit to Miri’s Mayor Office at the Miri City Hall, the Unity Tower, Pustaka Miri where participants get to know more about the original indigenous population in Miri (Miriek community) before heading to Coco Cabana.
Building on the success of the inaugural celebration, Sarawak hosted its second World Tourism Day (WTD) event in 2022, reaffirming its commitment to shaping the future of responsible tourism. From September 24 to 25, 2022, the RAIA Hotel and Convention Centre in Kuching served as the vibrant backdrop for the 2nd WTD Sarawak, where industry professionals, stakeholders, and community members converged to delve into the theme of "Rethinking Tourism."
The choice of theme signaled a collective effort to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to tourism, reflecting Sarawak's commitment to evolving with the changing dynamics of the industry. The event sought to encourage a paradigm shift in how tourism is conceptualized, embracing practices that prioritize environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community well-being.
A significant highlight of WTD Sarawak 2022 was the experiential trip to Bau, an initiative facilitated by Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK), Hwa Gong Bau Historical Society, Sarawak Research Society, and REBORN. This excursion provided participants with an immersive journey into the heart of Sarawak's heritage, offering a firsthand understanding of the region's rich cultural tapestry and historical significance.
The collaborative efforts of these organizations underscored the communal spirit driving responsible tourism in Sarawak. By engaging with local communities and historical societies, WTD Sarawak 2022 not only encouraged dialogue but also laid the groundwork for sustainable tourism practices that honor and preserve the unique identity of Sarawak. This second WTD Sarawak event marked another milestone in the region's commitment to rethinking tourism for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
2022
Rethinking Tourism
2021
Tourism for Inclusive Growth
The inaugural celebration of World Tourism Day Sarawak 2021 (WTD2021) was held on September 27, 2021. This groundbreaking event took place in Zoom attended by global participants including industry professionals, policymakers, and community members, to engage in discussions, share insights, and collectively explore avenues for responsible tourism development.
The event was hosted online as it was still during COVID 19. At the same time, it underscored Sarawak's adaptability and resilience in navigating the challenges posed by the global pandemic while emphasizing the importance of responsible tourism practices.
This inaugural celebration laid the foundation for future World Tourism Day events in Sarawak, establishing a precedent for meaningful engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in the pursuit of sustainable tourism practices. WTD2021 in Sarawak not only marked a historic moment in the region's tourism calendar but also positioned Sarawak as a proactive advocate for responsible tourism on the global stage.