KENINGAU: Sabah must be prepared to receive more tourists, both domestic and international, as the numbers continue to increase from year to year, said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said tourism is an important sector for the economy of a country or State, let alone for a district, because tourism activities can create job opportunities, increase national income and promote local culture and heritage.
“Along with the passage of time, tourism has grown and prospered in an extraordinary way, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy,” he said when launching the RM200,000 Keningau Tourism Information Centre, here, Tuesday.
Jeffrey, who is also Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, said the tourism industry in the State has grown rapidly and plays an important role in the economic development of the State.
“This achievement cannot be separated from the active role of the Government and the private sector in encouraging and developing the industry,” he said.
Citing tourism statistics, Jeffrey said the tourist arrivals to Sabah up to May this year were 988,680 people.
He said in the same period last year tourist arrivals were 558,169 people, and this showed a growth of 77.13 per cent.
“In 2022, tourist arrivals were 1,727,740 and their presence is expected to continue to increase. Since the opening of Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah has attracted the attention of the global community.
“The geographical uniqueness of Sabah, which is located on the Equator and has a tropical climate, gives us an amazing natural wealth,” he said, adding tourism opens up job opportunities for the community, especially in the countryside, starting from the top of Mount Kinabalu to Taman Bandukan Riverside Resort (TBRR).
Jeffrey, who is also Keningau Member of Parliament, said tourism also plays an important role in improving the State’s infrastructure. Along with the development of this industry, infrastructure such as airports, roads and public transport have been upgraded and renewed.
He said the tourism industry also enriches the appreciation of Sabah’s culture and nature and through the eco-tourism concept.
“Tourists have the opportunity to explore natural areas such as the Crocker Range. These activities not only provide knowledge but remind us of the importance of balance between development and preservation of nature.”
Jeffrey said it is important for legislators and State policymakers to formulate and implement policies that can provide maximum benefits from this industry to the people and the State.
He called on tourism activists in this district and its surroundings to be able to intensify the promotion of tourism with an effective and efficient strategy so that the outside world can get to know Keningau better and the State in general and be interested in visiting this place.
