Malaysia has reported that the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign has delivered its strongest impact to date, driving record growth in Sarawak’s business events sector, firmly positioning the state as Malaysia and Borneo’s Legacy Capital of Business Events. Supported by strong collaboration across government, industry, academia, communities, and global partners, the campaign has transformed how Sarawak delivers business events, shifting the focus from short-term tourism to long-term economic, social, and environmental impact.
This momentum led Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to its strongest performance to date in 2025, as the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary. The CVB reported that, in FY2025, Sarawak secured 160 business events, achieving 115% of its annual target.
These secured events, scheduled between 2025 and 2030, are projected to generate a total economic impact of RM483.5m (US$119.2m). Projected direct delegate expenditure stands at RM262.8m, generating RM29m in tax revenue across 177,453 delegate days. Sarawak also maintained a 100% bid success rate from 2022.
Major secured events include the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2025, the Asian Congress on Occupational Health 2026, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Triennial General Assembly 2026, and the International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027.
On the hosting front, Sarawak successfully delivered 159 business events in 2025, a 27% increase compared to the previous year. The events generated RM491.4m in total economic impact. These events attracted 59,926 delegates and supported more than 38,000 jobs across the state.
“I am very proud to announce that 2025 represented the best performance in Sarawak’s business events history,” said The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts Sarawak, during the Board of Directors Appreciation Dinner. “We have reshaped how the world looks at Sarawak — from a once overlooked destination into the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo. It is a powerful journey of vision, perseverance, and partnership, and one that we proudly celebrate as we mark our 20th anniversary this year. This is not the achievement of one organisation, but the result of a united ecosystem working with shared purpose.”
The Minister further emphasised that the period from 2026 to 2030 marks the final phase of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, guided by Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan. “Our next phase must ensure that business events continue to deliver meaningful contributions to our economy, society and environment. Tribe Legacy Sarawak provides the platform to mobilise talent, partnerships and innovation at scale.”
As part of the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign, Sarawak has embedded impact measurement and legacy design into its business events strategy. Of 166 legacy-focused events secured in 2025, 60 have been selected for a pilot measurement programme, with 10 already validated and the remaining 50 undergoing assessment to evaluate economic, social and community outcomes.
Under the legacy initiative, 13 high-value national and international events have been mobilised across strategic sectors, including hydrogen and carbon markets, digital economy, healthcare, literacy, and aerospace — directly supporting Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 priorities.
“The last five years focused on building the legacy ecosystem and developing the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan,” said Datu Hii Chang Kee, chairman of BESarawak. “Our next phase will deepen data intelligence, digitalisation, partnerships and talent development – ensuring Sarawak remains globally competitive while delivering sustainable value for our people.”
In other news from Malaysia travel and destination management specialists Juoni Tumlare has announced a strategic affiliation with local DMC WorldTravellers (WT).
Mr Soh Swee Kim, WT managing director, commented: “By combining Kuoni Tumlare’s global strength with WorldTravellers’ local expertise, we are set to take the meetings and events business in Malaysia to new heights, expanding our footprint and delivering unmatched value to clients.”
Marco Russi, COO Destination Offices & MICE Europe, Kuoni Tumlare, added: “This partnership with WorldTravellers is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional MICE experiences in Asia. By joining forces, we can offer our clients innovative solutions, local insights, and the highest standards of service in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.”
Photo: The Hon. Dato Sri Abdul Karim announcing the FY2025 performance at BESarawak’s Board of Directors Appreciation Night on 10 January 2026.