KOTA KINABALU: As tourist arrivals to Sabah continue to rise sharply, the state government is stepping up safety controls and enforcement measures to ensure visitors remain protected, the State Legislative Assembly was told.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin said Sabah recorded 3.09 million tourist arrivals as of October 2025, an increase of 17.4 per cent compared with the same period last year, with tourism expenditure estimated at RM7.18 billion.
While describing the figures as a positive indicator of the industry’s recovery and growth, Jafry stressed that tourist safety remains a key priority, especially following several incidents reported over the past two years.
“Although the increase in tourist arrivals is an important indicator of progress, the ministry views safety issues seriously and has taken proactive steps to strengthen control and enforcement,” he said during his winding-up speech.
Among the measures introduced is the certification of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) guides, particularly for activities popular among foreign tourists at locations such as Tanjung Aru. The ministry has also developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various tourism activities, with particular focus on water-based recreation.
In addition, Jafry said the government has enhanced safety communication, including the production of videos and informational materials placed at tourism product entry points and major airports across the state.
“To strengthen coordination, the ministry has established a Tourist Safety Monitoring Unit to regulate, monitor and coordinate issues and incidents involving tourist safety,” he said.
He added that the ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board, has also set up a 24-hour Crisis Management Team to ensure swift assistance for tourists facing emergencies or unforeseen situations.
“The team functions as the main crisis coordination centre, providing immediate support, advisory services and necessary follow-up actions,” Jafry said.
Meanwhile, he said that 98 per cent of tourist arrivals entered Sabah via air transport, supported by extensive connectivity comprising 450 weekly domestic flights with 77,880 seat capacity, as well as 138 weekly international flights connecting Sabah to 15 overseas destinations.
He said increased air access, including new international routes from Hong Kong, Fuzhou, Hangzhou and Incheon, alongside recent charter flights such as the Loong Air service from Shenzhen to Tawau, has contributed to the surge in visitor numbers.
Comments
Post a Comment