Visiting US Navy musical band performs at City Hall
KOTA KINABALU: The visiting musical band of the United States Seventh Fleet will further promote Sabah as a tourist destination with much to offer.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, commended the joint effort between the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the US Navy for organising a public performance by the Seventh Fleet’s Far East Edition band at the City Hall grounds.
She said it was her hope to further enhance tourism development in the State and hosting the visiting band was a step in the right direction.
“I am certain that the presence of and the performance by the Far East Edition band will further promote the state of Sabah as a whole and its capital, Kota Kinabalu, to our visiting friends.
“For Sabah, we have so much potential to offer our visitors and tourists from all over the world; from sandy beaches, rainforests, mountain top, world renowned islands as well as hospitable Sabahans,” she said in her speech which was delivered by Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Asafal Alian at yesterday’s performance.
Christina, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, added that the collaboration also served as a good platform to forge closer cooperation between the State and the US Navy, while also facilitating the exchange of culture and promoting friendship.
“I hope that this will not be the last visit by our American friends. I hope that all of you will come back again to visit Sabah and explore the many tourism destinations we have to offer,” she said.
Meanwhile, Christina reminded those present at the event to play their roles as responsible citizens to ensure the prosperity of the tourism industry.
Our tourism industry depends on all of us, she said, and not throwing trash indiscriminately is very important if we want to be a world class tourism destination.
“Each one of us has a very important role to play in ensuring the continuous development of our tourism industry. The community must be empowered to take care of the environment and not depend solely on the government or local authorities. I am sure that our determination, commitment and resources put together will make a change for a better future,” she said.
Also present yesterday were Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and of the US Embassy counselor for public affairs, Bradley Hurst.