Tap huge Asean tourism potential, MATTA urges industry players
KOTA KINABALU: MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang is calling on travel agents in Sabah to tap into the huge tourism potential that is available in the Asean region.
“Traditionally, Sabah has good tourism business from South Korea, China and domestic market but the Asean region with a population of more than 600 million people is one that the travel agents in Sabah can tap into,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after the launch of the B2B session between MATTA Sabah Chapter and Asean tour operators here yesterday, Tan pointed out that Kuala Lumpur was very popular with Asean travelers and that 70 per cent out of 27 million Asean travellers visiting Malaysia were going to Peninsula Malaysia.
“Out of the total only six per cent have visited Sabah. Today at this B2B session we want to have a breakthrough for Sabah because we have our own attractions like trekking, scuba diving, mountain climbing, food, culture and beaches.
“With air connectivity, we will be able to attract visitors from Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam. With the help of Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia, we should be able to tap a bigger share into the market,” he pointed out.
To a question on how to attract visitors from Asean countries when they have similar tourism attractions to Sabah like islands, beaches, scuba diving and trekking among others, Tan replied, “We have similarities but we also have niche products that they do not have. I noticed that there are a lot inquiries about climbing Mount Kinabalu, as not many Asean countries have such a product.
“We have diving spots that they feel are better, of course when you talk about food, they love it, the same goes for our environment and wildlife. Their population is big so this does not mean that they would not want to visit us although the products are similar.
“There are so many different segments of travellers with different needs. The market is so segmented with different needs and expectations of tourists. I have asked the MATTA members to come up with packages that are attractive and different to what the agents in Asean countries are selling,” he stressed.
On getting visitors to return to Sabah for their vacation, Tan said that travellers would come back if they had a memorable and comfortable trip adding, “If we are able to give them a memorable experience rather than just a sightseeing trip, they will come back.”
He also stressed that tourism players in Sabah must be competitive and also ensure that their services as well as product cater to Asean travellers because they are different and they want a different type of service from the tourism sector.
“For instance tourist guides here would normally give their European guests a little privacy by allowing them some time on their own. But with Asean visitors are different, they want the tourist guide to be with them all the time. They want the guide to be there for them and with them, for some this is part of their culture and they expect that of us too.
“Like in Thailand and Indonesia, their quality of service is very high so we must make sure that we are on par with them,” he said adding, “Player in the tourism industry need to continue to improve themselves and need to continue to excel in their services.”
Tan also spoke on the need for the State Government to continue to promote Sabah to the United Kingdom and European market.
“Before China and Korea we have traditionally depended on the UK, Europe and domestic market today. Those from the UK, Europe and domestic market they will continue to come and we need them. We cannot depend on just the East Asia market, (what) if tomorrow they change their destination?” he stressed.
According to him, visitors from other destinations especially Europe are usually long term tourists to Sabah and are more likely to return with their friends and family if they had a good stay.