RM2b from 1 million tourists till May
Published on: Sunday, August 06, 2023
Hajiji said 988,680 domestic and foreign tourists visited Sabah this year until May. The estimated tourism receipts generated was RM2.02 billion.
SANDAKAN: Sabah recorded almost one million tourist arrivals in the first five months this year, an increase of 77.1 per cent over the 558,169 visitors in the same period last year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said 988,680 domestic and foreign tourists visited Sabah this year until May. The estimated tourism receipts generated was RM2.02 billion.
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He said it is clear that the tourism sector in Sabah continues to show strong growth and for many years to come.
"Of the 988,680 visitors, 282,450 were international tourists while 706,230 were local visitors.
"This year, the state government expects 2.2 million tourists, which is expected to generate an income of RM4.1 billion," he said in conjunction with the launch of the Sandakan Festival at the Sandakan Town Square, Saturday.
Deputy Chief Minister I cum Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan delivered the speech.
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Hajiji said the re-opening of national borders had a positive impact and encouraged recovery of the sector in Sabah.
“Therefore, the State Government is committed to speeding up the implementation of various inclusive tourism initiatives and programes, especially tourism promotion and the expansion of the air network.
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"Various efforts are being made towards making Sabah the most attractive destination in Malaysia," he said, adding that as of August 1, there have been 122 international flights to Sabah every week, while there are 353 domestic flights.
Regarding the program, Hajiji said the Sandakan Festival 2023 themed "Let’s Tour Sandakan" was given attention and priority, as one of the efforts to attract tourists back to Sabah, after the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the whole world more than two years ago.
He said the solid support from the State Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment and the Sabah Tourism Board, proved that the government has always given solid commitment and support specifically to advance the tourism industry in the state.
“Sandakan itself has many tourist destinations that are known not only to locals but also to international tourists.
“This district is famous as the gateway to eco-tourism destinations in Sabah for example, Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Cave, Sepilok Orang Utan Conservation Center and Turtle Island Park as well as Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan Heritage Trails, Sandakan Memorial Park and Puh Jih Shih Temple," he said.
Although there is currently no visitor arrival data by district available, Hajiji said the number of visitors at the Sepilok Orang Utan Conservation Centre as the main attraction in Sandakan can be used as an indicator.
"From January to June 2023, some 56,794 people involving 28,501 domestic tourists and 28,293 international tourists came to the centre.
“Therefore, I ask all the people of Sandakan to continue giving full support so that this year’s festival will be the starting point for the transformation of the tourism industry in this district.
"I also invite all players in the tourism industry, entrepreneurs, arts, culture and sports activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government departments and agencies to play their respective roles in order to make Sandakan a popular tourist destination," he said.
In line with that, Hajiji said he wants the Sandakan Municipal Council and all related quarters to redouble their efforts in improving the infrastructure and facilities in this district, including cleanliness among the things that need to be given serious attention.
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