With tourism growth on the cards, the conference will play an important role to accelerate professionalisation and address the lack of qualified guides, among other challenges.
Sarawak will host the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026 from 13 to 15 October 2026 at Kingwood Hotel in Sibu.
Organised by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council, and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the upcoming conference is expected to attract 1,000 delegates from across Southeast Asia to Sibu.
“Sarawak is setting its sights on welcoming five million visitors by 2026 – but beyond the numbers, our priority is ensuring the quality of experience we deliver,” said Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, representing Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak.
“Tourist guides are storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and the frontline of how our destination is understood and remembered.”
Under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, Sarawak targets a 7.5% annual growth in visitor arrivals by 2030.
While tourist guides play a critical role in this growth, the profession is facing challenges ranging from the rise of digital tools to a shortage of qualified guides.
“Sustaining this growth requires a highly skilled, future-ready tourism workforce. That is why we are positioning this conference as a platform for learning and professional development, while accelerating the training of new Registered Regional Specific Tourist Guides and Sarawak Park Guides to build a strong, resilient talent pipeline for the future,” the Deputy Minister continued.
The conference will focus on strengthening regional networks and building meaningful collaborations to elevate the profession, as the demands of a fast-changing digital world catch up to the profession, said Edwin Lim, honorary chairman of the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association.
“We have chosen Sibu as the host city to support inclusive tourism development, creating opportunities and sharing the benefits of tourism and business events across Sarawak. Through this, we aim to create impact beyond Sarawak and contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s and Southeast Asia’s tourism,” Lim continued.
As part of the conference programme, delegates will take part in an outdoor learning experience, including a cultural exchange that offers firsthand insight into community-based tourism.
This allows domestic and international guides alike to better understand their role in preserving cultural identity and delivering respectful, authentic experiences, Business Events Sarawak said in a statement.