KK needs thriving nightlife to attract tourists

KOTA KINABALU: The state capital needs a thriving night life to continue attracting tourists throughout the year.

Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) president Datuk Winston Liaw said new attractions are needed to keep tourists interested, as there had been a drop in arrivals to Kota Kinabalu in the last two months.

The market trend showed more tourists visiting Semporna, Tawau and Sandakan in October and November, compared to Kota Kinabalu. Liaw believed it was because KK needed to offer more interesting activities.

“What we need urgently to further enhance KK tourism, is to create more facilities and programmes. The Consul General of China also said there is nothing to do here when tourists get back to the city from visiting the island or the beaches.

“We are very much behind on night life. We must create some healthy entertainment places where tourists can spend time, as well as upgrade and enhance resort facilities and infrastructure.

“Tourists, especially those coming from more advanced cities, need a better night life here. There must be substantial investment to have an entertainment product,” he said.

According to feedback from industry players, Liaw said there was a drop of up to 70 per cent in tourist arrivals in and around KK, over the last two months.

He said authorities should also look into red tapes that make it difficult for owners and industry players to upgrade their facilities, as many of them are willing to fork out their own money to do it.