Minister: Sabah targets to record 3 million tourist arrival this year

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is targeting three million tourist arrivals this year, up from the 2.8 million set previously, following an upward trend recorded by the state’s tourism sector last year.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the increase in Sabah’s tourism industry could be seen when the state recorded a tourism sector return of RM4.6 billion, through the arrival of approximately 2.5 million tourists, throughout last year.

“Therefore, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) needs to work hard to ensure that the target can be achieved.

“I was briefed on their plans last week, and I believe that the target can be achieved,” she told reporters during a press conference in conjunction with the Sabah government’s Chinese New Year 2024 celebration, here yesterday.

Liew, during the Sabah Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in November last year, said the state was targeting the arrival of 2.8 million tourists this year, which was expected to generate income of RM5.6 billion.

She said one of the STB’s plans would be to go and promote tourism in Sabah to several countries that had been identified.

“The ministry will also organise various programmes, including the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home program (SMM2H). This programme can attract investors and tourists to come to Sabah.

“We hope that high-end tourists would move to Sabah and create economic benefits in this state,” she added.

Meanwhile, on the state government’s Chinese New Year 2024 open house, she said it was scheduled to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre this Feb 10.

“Various programmes have been lined up at the event, which will be held from 11am to 2pm. We expect 10,000 visitors to attend,” she said.