Sabah sees 'significant increase' in tourist arrivals, especially from China

 

KOTA KINABALU: International tourist arrivals to Sabah, especially from China, have significantly increased, says Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.

From January to November last year, there were 2.8 million visitor arrivals, marking a remarkable 22.7 per cent increase compared with 2023. "This resurgence has brought us to 76 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, a testament to our resilience and commitment to revitalising this crucial sector.

"Our domestic arrivals rose by 7.1 per cent , while international arrivals demonstrated robust growth of 57.1 per cent," she said during the Tourism Insights Day at Sabah Tourism Board office here.

In 2023, there were 64,115 China tourists that came to Sabah between January and October. In the same period last year, the number surged to 410,046.

Despite the achievement, Liew said the challenges remained in markets like South Korea, Singapore and Australia, where softer demand had been observed.

"Addressing these fluctuations will require collaborative and innovative strategies. "With 164 international flights weekly, Sabah connects directly to 20 destinations worldwide.

"The addition of new routes in January and February this year, such as Singapore to Tawau and Tokyo to Kota Kinabalu, exemplifies the fruitful collaborations between the Sabah Tourism Board and airline partners.

"These connections not only enhance accessibility but also strengthen Sabah's position as a preferred destination for global travellers."

Liew also said that the tourism sector contributed RM13.1 billion to Sabah's gross domestic product in 2023, employing over 362,700 individuals.

She added that by harnessing data and technology, particularly through the Sabah Regional Tourism Satellite Account, it would provide valuable insights for decision-making. "Leveraging such data, combined with advancements in digital marketing and smart tourism, will position Sabah at the forefront of the tourism industry.

"To add value to the tourism insights under the RTSA, the ministry has developed the Tourism Analytics Dashboard Portal Platform in close collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

"This significant initiative is designed to transform the way we gather and analyze critical data on tourism in Sabah," she said.

-nst online.