THE State Government will focus on attracting international tourists from other countries that have re-opened their borders.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah has no choice but to wait until China re-open its borders that allow their citizens to travel outside their country.
While admitting that China’s zero-Covid policy has slightly affected Sabah’s tourism sector, he said the State Government would not give up and will continue efforts to promote Sabah in other countries that have re-opened their borders.
“Chinese tourists are the biggest contributors to our tourism but due to a directive or instruction from the China Government that strictly limits travel to and from the country, it has somewhat impacted our State’s tourism.
“As of now, China is still imposing lockdowns in several cities including Shanghai. However, we will not give up and will intensify measures to market Sabah to the world,” he said after officiating the Travelling Exhibition – Photographic Images and Matter – Japanese Prints of the 1970s at Sabah Art Gallery in Kota Kinabalu.
The exhibition was a joint collaboration between the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and Sabah Arts Gallery that is open for public viewing until May 19 at Sabah Arts Gallery.
Jafry was commenting on the impact of Sabah’s tourism following China’s zero-Covid policy and imposing lockdowns like in Shanghai.
Not only China, he said Taiwan is also still imposing lockdowns.
After his meeting with the Taiwan Consul recently, Jafry said he expects Taiwan to start relaxing some of its lockdown provisions by the middle of July.
Once Taiwan Government issues a new directive on travelling outside the country, he said efforts to attract guests from Taiwan to Sabah would begin immediately.
He said he was made to understand that South Korea has also begun to re-open its borders and Sabah’s tourism delegation would go there to discuss with several airlines, tour and travel agents to ensure the presence of the Koreans to Sabah could be carried out smoothly.
He said Sabah has started to receive tourists from European countries and Australia this month especially for the upcoming commemoration of Anzac Day.
“I was made to understand that many Australian tourists would come to Sabah to commemorate Anzac (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day in Sandakan on April 24.
“Quite a number of tourists from European countries are also coming to Sabah, soon,” Jafry said.
Meanwhile, Head of Japan Consular Office in Kota Kinabalu Kako Shiho said Japanese tourists can come to visit Sabah but face an issue of having no direct flights from Narita to Kota Kinabalu.
Following this, Jafry said he will look into this and may consider having a collaboration with the Transport Ministry to make it happen.
Meanwhile, the Minister said the Travelling Exhibition – Photographic Images and Matter: Japanese Prints of the 1970s, renders opportunities for artists and non-artists alike of different cultures to promote cross-skilling or simply just enjoy visual arts, photography and crafts.
“On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to congratulate Japan Foundation for organising this exhibition and choosing Sabah as one of your destinations, upholding the trust that has been placed for many years,” he said.
Jafry said his expectations from this collaboration is that this would only be the beginning of more collaborations to come.
