KINABATANGAN: The Sandakan Heritage Trail Tourism Association (STAN) is calling for an increase in tourist arrivals to the Sandakan-Kinabatangan area, particularly around Sukau, to ensure the sustainability of the local tourism industry affected by current global conditions.
The call follows Kinabatangan’s recognition as a “Biosphere Reserve” by Unesco, which is expected to serve as a new catalyst in strengthening Sabah’s tourism promotion at the international level.
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STAN Founder and Chairman, Lai King Hang, said the association hopes more programmes and tourism activities can be organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) in the area.
“This step is important to revive tourist interest in visiting, while helping to sustain the momentum of visitor arrivals to Sabah,” he said on Wednesday.
Lai said this after attending a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house that brought together tourism industry players and stakeholders at Sri Lamag Hall, Kinabatangan here.
The event was organised by the State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, led by its Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin, who announced in his speech Kinabatangan’s recognition as a “Biosphere Reserve” in 2025.
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According to him, the recognition serves as an important platform to expand Sabah’s tourism promotion globally.
