Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will participate in the working visit to the Province of Jilin in China.Disclosing this at the Ministry’s Outstanding Service Awards (APC) Night on Friday, its Minister Datuk Christina Liew (pic) said a meeting will be held with the Jilin Department of Culture and Tourism in China to discuss the opening of a new flight route between Kota Kinabalu and the City of Jilin, and to identify “Cross Promotion” between the two cities under Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (SBH-MM2H) programme.
“The visit also aims to foster collaboration in the areas of tourism and investment between the Province of Jilin and the Sabah Government.
“In addition, the move serves as a prelude to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism, Infrastructure, Agriculture & Education with Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP). Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is expected to officiate at the inking ceremony. Through this effort, we hope to be able to further develop the tourism sector in the state,” she said.
With reference to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Liew noted that the entry of international tourists to Malaysia will hit 80pc up to 95pc (from the pre-pandemic period) this year.
“However, this projection depends on the economic situation and tourist movement in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.”
Quoting statistics, the Minister said Sabah received 1.5 million visitors as of November 2022, adding this figure exceeded the target of one million visitors set by the State Government.
“This achievement is the outcome of Sabah Tourism Board’s commitment and zeal in implementing Strategic Tourism and Promotion Marketing Plan Post-Pandemic.”
