The Federal Government is open to the idea of constructing an additional terminal at Kota Kinabalu International Airport to cater to the growing Sabah tourism industry, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.
Anwar mentioned that the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals is due to the allure of Sabah’s natural beauty and the warm hospitality of its people.
He expressed his willingness to explore the potential need for a new terminal during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ulu Padas hydroelectric dam project in Tenom district on Thursday (Dec 7).
The surge in post-pandemic tourist arrivals in Sabah has been identified as one of the highest in Malaysia, which has prompted the call for improved facilities and services by government agencies such as Immigration and Customs to facilitate smoother visits.
Anwar also highlighted the positive feedback received from visitors, including the South Korean President, who praised Sabah for its stunning landscapes and the affable nature of its residents.
According to the Sabah Tourism Board website, over 1.8 million tourists, with nearly 600,000 international arrivals, visited Sabah within the first nine months of the year, generating RM3.95bil in tourism receipts, exceeding the total from the previous year.
In response to the growing demand, the Sabah government and its affiliated companies have been assessing the feasibility of constructing a new international airport terminal, with potential locations being proposed in Kimanis and Tuaran.
