Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded more than RM16 billion in tourism spending between 2021 and 2024, reflecting the sector’s positive contribution to the State economy under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 Development Plan.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said at State Legislative Assembly that a total of 7.85 million tourist arrivals were recorded during the period.
He said the figure comprised 5.45 million domestic tourists and 2.4 million international visitors.
From January to May this year alone, Sabah received 1.44 million tourist arrivals – 848,420 domestic and 559,150 international – with spending totalling RM3.3 billion.
“Investor confidence in the tourism sector continues to grow,” he said when responding to a question by Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin.
Nizam cited several key tourism investments, including the 333-room Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.
He said the 400-room Club Med Borneo Kuala Penyu is scheduled for completion in July 2026, while the 450-room five-star InterContinental Hotel Papar is expected to be ready by 2027.
He added that Tuaran would also see the development of a 160-room Hilton Garden Inn Resort.
Meanwhile, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, with 222 rooms, began operations on Oct 1, 2022.
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu, offering 396 units, opened its doors on Feb 8, 2024.
