Sabah to be promoted as holistic tourist destination
TAWAU: The Tawau district can expect to see some major changes as efforts to develop tourism industry in the state will not be concentrated in a few major areas such as Mount Kinabalu or Sipadan island but the whole of Sabah in line with the increasing number of tourist arrivals, especially from China.
Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew said efforts should be put into promoting other places and making the state a holistic tourist destination.
She said Tawau should no longer be a mere transit point but capitalize on getting tourists visiting nearby Semporna to stay there as part of the tour.
“I am looking for a plan to set up a cultural market in the district which will be part of the tourism attractions apart from what we already have,” she said.
Christina, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said the market concept will introduce the various cultures and she will discuss the matter with the Tawau Municipal Council soon.
“At the same time I am going to meet up with tourism operators around the state to see if Sabah as a whole can be promoted as a tourist attraction,” she added.
Christina stressed that beautification and setting up of facilities to accommodate tourists are needed if the measure is to be implemented successfully.
She said both the district and Sandakan have the attractions needed to lure tourists but additional infrastructure such as hotels, chalets and other forms of accommodation are needed.