KOTA KINABALU: The state of Sabah is aiming to welcome 2.8 million tourists in 2024 and is considering the construction of a new airport to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
Datuk Christina Liew, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, revealed that the tourist arrivals for 2023 are expected to reach 2.5 million and is projected to grow to around 2.4 million in 2024.
Liew welcomed the short-term measure proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to construct a new terminal at the existing Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to address the needs of the growing tourism industry in the state.
However, she emphasized the necessity of building a new airport as the current KKIA is unable to handle the increasing number of tourists.
Liew acknowledged Anwar’s description of Sabah as a top tourist destination in Malaysia and stressed the immediate need to enhance facilities at the KKIA, including an upgrade of the Immigration and Customs counter to accommodate the rising number of tourist arrivals.
Looking at the long-term, she emphasized the need for a larger and improved international airport to handle the growing arrivals.
Liew disclosed that in the first 10 months of the year, Sabah welcomed a total of 2,116,659 visitors, with international tourists accounting for 659,924 (an increase of 274.9%) and domestic tourists making up 1,456,735 (an increase of 23.4%)
Additionally, Sabah Tourism Board estimated tourism receipts for the same period at RM4.42 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately 82.1% compared to the previous year.
The tourism industry saw a rebound of 62% of pre-pandemic levels in the first 10 months of 2023, with a significant increase in visitors from regional countries such as Brunei, Singapore, and European countries.
Liew expressed confidence that Sabah can surpass the 2.2 million visitor arrival target by the end of the year and credited various initiatives and campaigns, including the introduction of the new tourism tagline “Feel Sabah, North Borneo” and engagements with major China airlines.
She also recognized the role of Sabah tourism delegations in luring back international tourists, particularly from China, Australia, and Korea.
Lastly, Liew urged Sabah’s hospitality and tourism industry to offer reasonable tour packages, accommodation, and food options, attributing the growth in tourism to improved travel confidence, air connectivity, and marketing efforts by the Sabah Tourism Board.
