Liew: Sabah tourism will continue to grow strongly this year

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew

expressed optimism that tourism in Sabah will continue to portray strong growth this year.

She attributed this heartening trend to improved air connectivity, resulting from the reinstatement of scheduled flights and mounting of new routes, coupled with vigorous marketing campaigns by Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

According to her, from 2024 onwards, eight existing and new airlines are committed to starting flight operations into Sabah, and by 2025, there will be accessibility to Sabah from major destinations, such as Beijing, Dubai and Hong Kong, via new airlines.

In her Chinese New Year message, Liew said the Year of the Dragon, which comes once every 12 years, raises the hopes and aspirations of the Tionghua community for a powerful, abundant and prosperous New Year for better economic prospects.

She said this is because the dragon in the Chinese zodiac symbolises power, success, luck and good fortune, hence further economic rejuvenation is expected to be the order of the day.

“In Chinese culture, the dragon represents power, authority, good luck and prosperity.

“Being a favourable and auspicious year, it is perhaps an opportune time to get married, invest in property or venture into business, among other positive actions.

“Let us capitalise on the anticipated greatness of the Year of the Dragon to boost our confidence, strength and productivity in our professional or personal life,” she said.

Moving towards a foreseeably powerful year, Liew, who is also Api-Api assemblywoman, urged the people to play their part in bringing prosperity to Sabah for socio-economic benefits.

“The State Unity government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor prioritises the people’s well-being, and will continue its efforts to improve the State’s economy for the betterment of all communities.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, I wish everyone ‘Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year’. Gong Xi Fa Cai,” she said.