KUCHING: ‘Sitok Kuching’, a three-day contemporary market, will be at the Kuching Waterfront from December 6 until 8.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said ‘Sitok Kuching’ is another initiative undertaken by his ministry that beckons the world to visit Kuching, the gateway to Sarawak, where there is ‘More to Discover’.

“The 3-day market is a specially curated marketplace of creative retail offerings, performances, workshops, food, music, art and family-friendly activities made possible through the contribution of more than 30 creative and independent businesses from Kuching and West Malaysia.

“The event will offer authentic and engaging experiences that highlight Kuching urbane, contemporary lifestyle,” said Abdul Karim at a press conference at the Old Court House here yesterday.

He was joined by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Pro Tag Solutions Sdn Bhd director Priscilla Ong and representatives from Pro Tag Solutions Sdn Bhd, Gordon Chung and Carter Wei, and Sarawak Tourism Board (Events and Corporate Relations) director Angelina Bateman.

‘Sitok Kuching’, he said, is a creative expression promoting contemporary cultural exchanges and celebration of modern day cosmopolitan Kuching, and ‘Sitok’ means ‘here’.

“So named after the Sarawakian slang meaning ‘here’, Sitok Kuching aims to showcase the Sarawak of ‘here’ and ‘now’. Sitok Kuching will host more than 50 creativities, finest and brightest talent in the creative arts, children’s activities, workshops, retails, music, culinary of Sarawak and West Malaysia,” he said.

The venue for Sitok Kuching is the iconic Kuching Waterfront, which is now the cosmopolitan heart of modern-day Kuching where community life and nightlife intersect, he said.

“The Kuching Waterfront is a fitting location on which Sitok Kuching will promote the exchange of contemporary ideas and creativity,” he added.

On another matter, Abdul Karim, who is also the Youth and Sports Minister, said since the Visit Sarawak Campaign (VSC) 2019 was launched the number of visitors to the state has seen a steady increase.

“As for the month of September 2019, we had more than three million arrivals to Sarawak, and we expect the number to pass four million before end of the year. If we are lucky we will be able to hit five million.

“Last year we achieved 4.42 million arrivals into Sarawak. This year we are looking at around four per cent increase,” he said.

He added the increase in number of arrivals is also due to local and international events held in the state especially in Kuching.

This weekend alone, he said, there will be the international Spartan Race, and upcoming events include International Dragon Boat Race, World Master’s Badminton, Sarawak Regatta, World Master’s Athletics, which will gather 4,000 to 5,000 foreign and local visitors.