KOTA KINABALU: Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Dr. Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal expressed his enthusiasm and support for the ongoing development of Sabah’s tourism industry during the opening of MATTA Fair Sabah 2026, congratulating the organisors for holding it for the second time this year.
The Minister highlighted the significance of events like MATTA Fair in bringing together the tourism industry and the travelling public.
“Opportunities like this are vital to our tourism sector. They provide our tourism businesses with a platform to meet travellers directly, showcase their products and services, promote new experiences, and grow their businesses. At the same time, consumers create jobs and opportunities for our local communities. For travellers, it offers more options and opportunities to discover new destinations around the world. Sabah has much to offer as a tourism destination,” he said.
He emphasised Sabah’s natural and cultural assets, saying, “Our natural environment, rich culture, and diverse communities are what make Sabah truly special. As we continue to develop our tourism industry, we must ensure that this growth benefits the people of Sabah. This is the kind of tourism pathway we want to see, a pathway that benefits our businesses, our communities, and our travellers.”
The Minister also looked ahead to the upcoming tourism milestones, stating, “As we progress through Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and into 2027, Sabah is preparing for Visit Sabah Year 2027. This will be a significant year for us, and we look forward to working closely with MATTA, the Sabah Tourism Board, and our industry partners to ensure its success.”
He called for sustainable and inclusive tourism development, stressing, “Our tourism industry must continue to create opportunities for local development, hoteliers, transport operators, conservationists, communities, and small businesses. At the same time, we must protect the natural and cultural assets that make Sabah unique. This requires ongoing support and cooperation from the government, tourism organisations, and industry players.”
He expressed his appreciation all government agencies, tourism businesses, partners, and organising committees for their support and commitment to Sabah’s tourism industry, while encouraging active participation, saying, “I invite all visitors to explore travel options both locally and abroad. Let us continue working together to strengthen Sabah as a destination that people want to visit, return to, and share with others.”
He shared positive tourism figures, noting, “Despite all the crises we have faced, from January to August this year, the number of visitors to Sabah has increased by 4.1%. We hope to reach four million visitors this year.”
Finally, he expressed optimism for the future, saying, “Next year is a very important year for Visit Sabah 2027. We had a brief discussion earlier, and I hope we can implement our plans as soon as possible.”
The event continues to bring momentum to Sabah’s tourism sector, with industry players optimistic about the future growth and development of the state’s vibrant tourism industry. During the three-day event, from 18 to 20 September, the exhibition hall was a bustling area with visitors thronging to their booth of choice.
Also present during the launching ceremony were MATTA Sabah Chapter Members including Chairman Sabah Chapter Alex Chong, Azlan Mohd Saleh, Organising Chairman of MATTA Fair Sabah 2026 and Nigel Wong the MATTA President .-BNN
