Sabah will continue to do well in tourism — Klagan GM
KOTA KINABALU: With its friendly people as ambassadors, Sabah will continue to do well in the tourism sector.
The natural warm and friendly charm of Sabahans is one of the state’s attractions, said Klagan Regency’s general manager Yeow Hock Siew.
When met at the Klagan Regency’s bridal fair on Saturday, he pointed out that Sabah is built for tourism as culturally, the people here are warm and friendly.
“The infrastructure is there and you have the nature – the sea, the mountains and great food – what more can you ask for? The people are the ambassadors,” he said when asked about his projection for the hotel this year.
Yeow expressed his hope that it would be positive as the hotel’s performance in past years had been good.
“Year-on-year, it has been increasing – thanks to Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia. Last year, Sabah received about 1.5 million visitors and with all this efforts put in, I believe we can do better,” he added.
Commenting on the smoking ban, which would come in full force this Feb 1, Yeow opined that it is just a matter that ‘needs getting used to’.
He pointed out that other places in the region like Bangkok in Thailand, have implemented the smoking ban at public areas – and people are still visiting these places.
“Likewise in Sabah and Malaysia, it is just a matter of getting used to it, and also change of perception,” he said, adding that the Klagan Regency has implemented a no-smoking policy in all its guest-rooms and public areas – except the bar.
On the bridal fair, Yeow said they are expecting about 5,000 visitors to the three-day event, which commenced on Friday. The hotel, he said, has a new ballroom facility and the location is fantastic.
“We can deliver,” he said, adding that the hotel has something special planned for the coming Chinese New Year – a gala dinner on the seventh day of the celebration.
A special menu has been created and there would also be a range of entertainments on that day, he said.