DARO — The Daro Festival 2025, a key event on the district’s tourism calendar, has once again underlined the Sarawak Government’s strong commitment to promoting rural tourism while driving local economic growth through cultural and community-based initiatives.
Held on Saturday with vibrant fanfare, the festival was officiated by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who highlighted the state’s continuous efforts in supporting impactful events that uplift domestic tourism and create tangible benefits for local communities.
“Sarawak actively hosts a variety of events and festivals. There is something happening almost every week in different districts. These activities not only broaden our tourism landscape but also directly benefit the people economically,” said Abdul Karim.
He also revealed that Sarawak has allocated RM15.8 billion in its 2025 state budget—the highest in Malaysia—with a significant portion directed towards infrastructure and public facility upgrades, especially to enhance rural tourism capabilities.
The Daro Festival 2025 showcases an engaging array of activities, including traditional cultural performances, folk competitions, water sports, local product bazaars, government exhibitions, and guest artist shows, all of which received enthusiastic participation and attendance.
Thousands of visitors from inside and outside the district are expected to attend, boosting tourism and injecting economic activity into the area’s hospitality, retail, and services sectors.
The success of the Daro Festival reflects the effectiveness of Sarawak’s tourism strategy in leveraging its cultural richness and natural uniqueness to create sustainable opportunities for rural development.