Haze begins to hit Sarawak tourism as arrivals dip
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Sarawak’s haze is already changing travel plans, with the state recording a dip in tourist arrivals as air quality worsens.
Tourism Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the decline was noticeable and could continue while the haze persists. He made the remarks in Kuching on Sept 5, as Serian remained under a state of emergency after its API reading passed 500 earlier in the week.
The pressure is not limited to hotels and tour operators. Kuching’s Borderland Music Festival and Miri’s Jom Heboh Carnival are among the events facing a more difficult operating environment. Abdul Karim said organisers should follow SDMC guidance and reconsider outdoor plans when readings become very unhealthy.
Kuching recorded an API reading of 313 on Sept 4. Serian was at 334 on the morning of Sept 5, after peaking at 521. Schools in 12 districts are scheduled to close from Sept 7 to 11, affecting nearly 200,000 students.
For visitors, the practical question is whether an outdoor itinerary still makes sense on the day. Check the latest APIMS reading and event notice before travelling; the numbers can change with wind and rain.
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