Four mln tourists from Istanbul, China soon

Sabah will be expecting an influx of tourists from Istanbul and China soon.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment had set a target of 4 million tourists this year as compared to 3.86 million arrivals last year.

Liew said the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had visited Istanbul recently where an agreement was signed for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to provide private charter flights from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur from October to December this year.

Starting January next year, she said Dorak Holding, the biggest tourism player in Turkey, would be bringing tourists from Istanbul to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau via charter flight over a one-year period.

Liew said she would also be leading a delegation to Europe soon as well as visiting Xi’an province in China in September this year.

“We hope to sign a memorandum of understanding to mount direct flight from Xi’an to Kota Kinabalu during the visit.

“We will be seeing tourists from different sectors coming to Sabah,” she said when officiating at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu’s 40th anniversary celebration here yesterday.

On the other hand, Liew complimented the hotel industry in Kota Kinabalu on doing a fantastic job in providing a high standard of services to visitors.

She said tourism, one of the key pillars of Sabah’s economy, went hand-in-hand with the hotel industry.

As the town’s first five-star hotel, she said it was not an easy task for Hyatt Regency Kinabalu to stay competitive and be on top of the other international hotels.

“With so many new hotels in town, I believe that you and the rest of Hyatt team have walked the extra mile to stand out in the market.

“But what makes people, especially the regular customers, always choose Hyatt as their preferred hotel, is the combination of great service and amenities provided.”

Liew also lauded Hyatt’s initiative to contribute to the city’s ongoing beautification efforts through its mural painting by showcasing the local culture and environmental diversity.

“I really hope such efforts will attract more tourists, be they domestic or international, to come to the ‘Land Below the Wind’ and experience the attractions and activities Sabah has to offer.”

Also present were Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) Group managing director Datuk Hj Pengiran Saifuddin Pengiran Tahir, Kinabalu International Hotel Sdn Bhd chiarman Datuk Gordon Leong and Hyatt Regency Kinabalu general manager Thor Gervasi.