A boost to Sabah tourism and economy
KK Resort City is expected to boost Sabah’s tourism development and economic growth.
“I am thrilled to learn that an East Malaysia-based company, KTS Group, is planning to invest billions of ringgit into this development,” said Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui.
With tourist arrivals set to double in the next few years, Lui said the development would ease the shortage of accommodation in Sabah, particularly for five- to six-star hotels and resorts.
He pointed out Kota Kinabalu is losing out to Mantanani Island and Semporna due to the lack of new tourism products.
“I believe KK Resort City will attract more new and repeat visitors to the state capital.”
For locals, Lui said KK Resort City will be a new leisure and recreation spot when completed.
New opportunities
In addition, he said this mega development would create at least 1,000 professional jobs for local youths. He said KK Resort City as a seafront project has great potential to develop downstream tourism products, such as a theme park and other tourism packages. Lui also hoped that KTS Group would invest in the vocational training of local youths in this project, especially for the hospitality and services sector.
He suggested bringing in international higher learning institutions in the development to provide tourism-related education and training.
“Several international universities, including Curtin University, have been established in Sarawak but Sabah has yet to have an international higher learning institution,” he said.
“Having a university within KK Resort City will not only attract local and foreign students, but also their families as they send their children off to study or to attend graduations, which benefits our tourism industry.”
Lui said retail outlets in the development would create business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, in particular local gifts shops and handicraft makers.
“We are hoping that KTS Group will include a walking street in the project as well given that there has yet to be one in Kota Kinabalu.”
Putting Sabah on the map
The multi-billion ringgit KK Resort City is poised to be an iconic tourism development that will put Sabah on the map.
Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter chairman Lawrence Wong said the investment would augur well for the expanding inbound tourism segment in the State, which ranked among the top in Malaysia.
“The Land Below the Wind is a tourism heaven because we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources and shielded from natural disasters,” he said.
He said Sabah was only five to six hours away by flight to countries in Asia.
“We have great potential to develop various tourism packages due to the State’s strategic location. Once completed, I believe the KK Resort City project will spur the tourism industry in the region,” he said.
“An international standard resort will be a nice addition to the tourism infrastructure and facilities in Sabah.”
He hoped that the five-star KK Resort City and its facilities would entice upscale tourists to spend more, thereby boosting tourism receipts. The development will also create job opportunities for locals as well as stimulate the construction and hardware sectors.
“KK Resort City will put Sabah on the map, like Maldives, which is famous for its luxury accommodation,” he added.