Tourism in Sabah picking up

By Olivia Miwil

olivia@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism began to pick up in terms of tourist arrivals despites the country had been struck by tragedies since last year.

The tourism industry suffered major blow by the disappearance and shot down of Malaysia airlines, kidnapping cases in East Coast of Sabah, and earthquake that killed 18 people.

Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said in September alone, it saw a growth of 3 per cent overall arrivals.

“Since January until Sept, visitor arrivals generated an estimated of RM4.5 billion in tourism receipt.

“Several markets registered positive growth include Brunei (12 per cent), Taiwan (31.5 per cent), South Korea (10.3 per cent) and UK and Ireland (1.2 per cent),” he said during the Sabah Tourism Award 2015 on Saturday.

He also disclosed the state expected to see further growth of China tourists as several China-based airlines would have direct flights from Shanghai and GuangZhou to here. 

Meanwhile, the country’s budget Airlines will also commence new direct route from Wuhan to here soon.

Masidi called tourism players to reengineer their strategy and added value to their human capital in mastering foreign languages and become knowledgeable in terms of flora and fauna as well as cultures in Sabah.

During the biennial award ceremony, special minister’s awards were bestowed to Sabah Park Rangers and Mount Kinabalu rescuing trapped climbers during the June 5 earthquake, as well as the Eastern Sabah Security Command for protecting tourist attractions against threats by cross border criminals.

AirAsia, which won the Best airline award, also received special minister’s award for bringing in a wider range of visitors into the state.

Best Shopping Complex went to Suria Sabah, Best Food Outlet winners were Party Play Lifestyle Café Gaya Street (Best Stand Alone Restaurant), Ferdinand’s The Magellan Sutera Harbour (Best Hotel or Resort restaurant). While Shenanigans at Hyatt Regency  Knabalu won the best nightspot.

Best Spa experience went to Jari Jari spa (Best stand alone) and The Spa at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria ( Hotel and Resort)

Tabin Wildlife Resort (Nature) and Mari-Mari Cultural village (Non-nature) received Best Tourism Attractions, while Borneo Rainforest Lodge’s 4D3N stay at Luxury Villa won Best Inbound Tour package.

Belle Betsy Chong has been awarded as Best General Tour Guide and Muhammad Salehuddin Jais bagged the Best Specialised Tour Guide.

Picture courtesy of AirAsia.