KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is optimistic on achieving 3.1 million visitor arrivals and generating RM7.2 billion in tourism receipts when the 2024 report is finalised.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the state had recorded significant growth in the first 11 months of 2024, with 2.8 million visitor arrivals, marking a 22.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Liew attributed this encouraging growth to improved consumer confidence, enhanced air connectivity achieved through smart partnerships and collaborations, and various marketing campaigns carried out by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), tour operators, and other tourism stakeholders in the state.
She shared during a Chinese New Year 2025 luncheon with the media, hosted by the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (Kepkas) at a hotel,
Looking forward to 2025, Liew announced that Kepkas would launch nine projects to further uplift the tourism sector.
Among them is the planting of Napier grass for Borneo pygmy elephants along the riparian reserve of the lower Kinabatangan River at Kampung Bilit under the Elephant Food Corridor Project.
Another key project involves the ground-breaking ceremony for the Sabah Cultural Complex in Kinarut, officiated by the Chief Minister.
Furthermore, the development of a proposed resort at Tawau Hills Park and a jetty in Tawau, designed to accommodate boats ferrying tourists to Semporna Island, is also on the agenda.
Liew announced that the Wisma Kepkas project will begin in the first quarter of 2025, with completion expected within two and a half years.
This building will house Kepkas and its six departments and agencies.
Additional initiatives include the introduction of mini night safaris at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, the upgrading of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and enhancements to the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site cum bird sanctuary.
Other projects include the proposal for the Kota Kinabalu City Park and the construction of the Kudat Marine Gallery and Discovery Centre at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau.
Liew also highlighted developments in connectivity, with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) committing to an expansion of Terminal 1 at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
“Scheduled for completion by mid-2028, this expansion will increase the airport’s capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually,” said Liew.
“The state’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry has also witnessed remarkable progress.
“In 2024, the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) hosted 1,428 events spanning local, state, regional, and international levels.
“For 2025, SICC is aiming to host over 2,000 events, cementing Sabah’s position as an emerging hub for business events (BE) in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Liew.
She announced that the 2nd International Business Events Forum would take place in the first quarter of 2025.
“The Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB) continues its efforts to position Sabah as a premier destination for business events, focusing on attracting more international delegates and participants,” she said.
Key business events planned for 2025 include the 1st Borneo Craniosynostosis Conference, the 20th Annual Congress of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Coloproctology, and the Persidangan Kepimpinan Pengurusan Tertinggi Hospital, all of which are medical conferences.
Other notable events include the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair, the Sabah International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, the Agtech International Expo 2025, the International Mayors Conference, and the 3rd Borneo Vascular Conference.
Additionally, the ASEAN Travel Exchange (ATE) 2025 and the revival of the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon are set to attract attention.
Adding to this momentum, she said OceanX plans to embark on a science mission in Sabah’s waters this year using its advanced research vessel, OceanXplorer.
Liew expressed confidence that the maiden visit of this vessel would further boost Sabah’s global reputation as an ideal tourist destination.
Meanwhile, she said Suria Capital Holdings Berhad has confirmed that 19 cruise ships are scheduled to call at Kota Kinabalu Port in 2025, further enhancing the state’s appeal to international tourists.
Liew also announced a strategic partnership between the Kota Kinabalu Film and Video Association (KKFVA) and STB to establish Sabah as a hub for film tourism.
“A memorandum of understanding to solidify this partnership is expected to be signed in early 2025, accelerating initiatives to promote this sector,” said Liew.
Additionally, Liew attended the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 by the Prime Minister in Putrajaya on Jan 6.
STB will follow up with campaigns, including roadshows, festivals, and other promotional activities, to support this nationwide initiative, she said.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Kepkas Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai were also present at the luncheon.-pr/BNN
