Speed up Semporna infrastructure devt as more tourists coming
SEMPORNA: Semporna Ocean Tourism Centre (SOTC) managing director Peter Gan hoped tourism operators in the district would enhance their cooperation with the government to ensure the continuous positive development of the industry here.
He said it was vital for the operators to work together to achieve a conducive environment for the industry for common benefits as well as in line with the government’s objective to develop the industry.
“When we started SOTC 33 years ago, we never expected that the tourism industry here would achieve a great transformation as it is today; the number of daily tourists visiting here has increased from 700 to 800 people two years ago to nearly 2,000 currently,” he said.
As such, Peter urged the government to act fast and speed up the development of infrastructure, safety equipment and personnel to safeguard the interest of tourists and the locals, as well as intensify the beautification works at the township to uplift its image as a move to attract more visitors.
He strongly believes that this will also benefit other related industries and the livelihood of the people here.
Peter said this while officiating at the opening of SOTC 33rd Anniversary Night and the soft opening of its mini Neon Lights Theme Park at its Pearl Restaurant on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Peter expressed his gratitude to nearly a hundred employees of SOTC for rendering their untiring effort to the improvement of the centre, and hoped they will continue to provide better services to ensure the steady development of SOTC’s future undertakings.
He assured that the centre would continue to create and to provide more job opportunities together with training to the locals, to provide better services.
Incentives were given to the SOTC employees as a token of appreciation and encouragement by the management.
Nearly 2,000 visitors from home and abroad flooded SOTC as the centre celebrated its 33rd anniversary, together with the soft opening of its mini neon lights theme park.