KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is presenting peninsular Malaysians with an opportunity to embark on budget-friendly vacations, especially with the rising costs of international travel.
Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, the State Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, emphasized that choosing Sabah as a holiday destination is not only economical but also important for promoting national unity.
“Travellers from Peninsular Malaysia can not only experience a new Malaysian destination but also engage in cultural exchanges with local communities, fostering a deeper sense of unity and understanding among Malaysians,” he stated in a press release.
Bangkuai addressed media representatives at a breaking-fast event organized by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Recognizing the economic challenges, particularly the devaluation of the ringgit, he remained optimistic and highlighted how the weaker ringgit makes Sabah and Malaysia more accessible as tourist destinations.
“Choosing to visit Sabah is almost like going overseas, considering you will be crossing the South China Sea,” he jokingly remarked, while also expressing happiness over the growing number of domestic visitors to Sabah.
The chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board pointed out that the shift in travel preferences would help boost domestic tourism and align with the state government’s development plan to enhance the state’s economy.
He stressed the significance of mutual cultural exchange in promoting national unity and urged Sabahans to welcome interaction with individuals from other states.
Joniston led the Sabah Tourism Board team to the 2024 Matta Fair at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from March 22-24.
He expressed gratitude to the media for promoting Sabah’s tourism stories, noting that their efforts contribute to the state’s key performance indicators, particularly in terms of visitor numbers and tourism income.
He added, “Your collaborative efforts not only have ripple effects but also empower local communities and enrich Sabah’s tourism sector.”
Sabah exceeded its 2023 tourism target of 2.2 million visitors, welcoming 2.6 million visitors and generating RM5.5 billion in tourism revenue.
From January to December 2023, Sabah recorded 1,754,797 domestic visitors and 858,475 international arrivals.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board indicated that in the first two months of 2024, Sabah received 300,990 domestic tourists and 231,237 foreign tourists.
Sabah witnessed a higher number of foreign visitors (141,887) from Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
This was followed by 64,958 visitors from Southeast Asia, comprising Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
China led in the number of tourists visiting Sabah (91,936), followed by South Korea (42,653) and Brunei (36,066).
