23 February 2014| last updated at 12:24AM
KOTA KINABALU: There was an 86 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from China last year compared with 2011.
There were 193,010 tourist arrivals from China in 2011, with the number increasing to 360,361 last year, which was a growth of 86.7 per cent, said the Sabah Tourism Board.
Resorts and coffee shops here now display signs with simple Chinese words, like ni hao or "how are you".
Tourist Kelly Wong said she chose Sabah as a travel destination as there were direct flights from China.
"Sabah is an ideal place to visit, with its beautiful beaches, delicious and affordable seafood, and friendly people," she said while visiting a shop along Gaya Street here.
Lee Min, 37, was recommended Sabah as a destination by his colleagues, as it was suitable for a family vacation.
"Although this place is different from Hong Kong, my 5-year-old son has adapted well and is enjoying the trip."
At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, staff members are encouraged to learn Mandarin, so they can converse better with guests.
Its general manager, Craig Powell, said menus at the resort had been modified to include translations to make it easier for guests to place their orders.
"We have also developed cue cards to help us better communicate with Chinese guests," said Powell, who is also Sabah and Labuan Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels.
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman Yong Chee Yun said many shop operators had also begun tapping into menu items favoured by tourists from China.
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