Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew is hopeful that the recent announcement of a 30-day visa-free travel for visitors from India and China will lead to an increase in arrivals to the state, especially from China. She believes that with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, there will be a surge in Chinese nationals visiting Sabah, as it is a preferred destination for them during this festive period.
Liew also pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, which could further boost the number of Chinese tourists to Sabah. However, she mentioned that so far, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah and Labuan Chapter has not reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals from China and India following the introduction of the 30-day visa-free travel.
Highlighting the efforts to attract more visitors from China and India, Liew mentioned that the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will continue to participate in trade and consumer shows, as well as roadshows under Tourism Malaysia. Additionally, STB will conduct its own roadshows in international countries with scheduled direct flights into Kota Kinabalu to promote Sabah as a preferred tourist destination.
As part of the monitoring process, Liew disclosed that the Board will provide her with monthly reports, and she is currently waiting for the compilation of the December 2023 figures from relevant authorities. The minister remains optimistic about the potential growth in tourism numbers from China and India, especially with the visa-free travel policy in place. It is too early to see the impact, but she is hopeful that the numbers will grow over time.
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