Tourist influx: ‘Are we ready?’

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew urged tourism industry players to brace for more tourists with the expected establishments of new flight routes in 2019.

Christina, also Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said currently Sabah received more than 200 chartered and scheduled flights per week and this number was expected to soar upward in January and February 2019.

“We have a few more destinations from China. We are also pushing, as I have always said we practice balanced tourism. Other than China, which I have to admit (as) very strong, I told my tourism board that we have to work very hard to get the European market, from London, Germany, and also Australia and America,” said Liew after officiating at the Swepa Biz-Carnival at Wisma Wanita here yesterday.

“And also we are eyeing Japan, Osaka and Narita, and Korea. All these are within our plans. So next year will be a very busy year for me so I hope we will increase (the number of arrivals into Sabah).

“My only concern is are we ready? I told the Tawau tourism players ... in January and February, you will have four times weekly direct flights from China straight to Tawau. Are you ready? Your hotels are ready? Your buses are ready? Your food stalls are ready or not? So, we work very hard to promote tourism. I am also very worried about my local hardware. Are they ready or not?

“I am not so worried about West Coast, which is KK, mountain, National Park, but more worried in Tawau. I have to ask my Sabah Tourism Board to push them very hard. Make sure that we are ready because Chinese New Year is coming very soon,” she said. Christina said she would also meet with the airport managers in the state to ask for an increase of immigration counters, police force and address issues related to toilets and transportation.