With the increasing number of tourists visiting this part of Sarawak, more and more hotel and homestay premises are flourishing around Sibu.
The number of domestic tourists has increased from 136,168 to 156,035 from 2016 to 2017 while the number for foreign tourists are also increased from 30,114 to 32,423 in 2016 to 2017.
When asked why Sibu is experiencing an increasing number of tourists, Sibu Resident, Encik Charles Siaw said that Sibu has its own signature events and festivals such as the Borneo Cultural Festival and the Sibu Base Jump which attracts the participation of many and visitors.
Apart from that, promotion activities such as the Visit Sibu 2017 Campaign, are organised launched to promote Sibu as a tourist attraction.
These highlight interesting places to visit in Sibu such as the Sibu Central Market (the largest market in Sarawak), Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden, Esplanade Rajang, Kutien Memorial Garden, the Lau King Howe Memorial Museum and the Sibu Cultural Heritage Mini Museum.
In Kanowit, among the interesting places to visit include Tugu Pahlawan, Fort Emma, Bat Cave Sungai Poi and Waterfall Nanga Bat while in Selangau, the tourist attractions include Raft Safari and Waterfall Sulu Sungai Mukah.
As there are more visitors coming to Sibu and more tourist attractions mushrooming around the area, the number of hotel and inn premises has also increased.
There are 63 hotel premises including inns in the Sibu district, three hotel premises in the Kanowit district and nine hotel premises in the Selangau district.
Siaw added that Sibu also has several homestays such as Homestay Bawang Assan, Homestay Rh. Phillip Kayak in Sungai Durin and Homestay Rh. Benjamin Angki in Kanowit.
Extracted from the article “Looking at What Sibu is Like After 25 Years Since 1994”. First featured in RAKAN Sarawak April-June 2019 printed issue.
