Liew (seated, middle) with government officials from left – Noredah, Nazarudin, Malangking and Shaharuddin, STB officials, Sabah hoteliers and tourism players.
SEOUL: South Korea has been one of the top three market sources for tourism in Sabah since the reopening of Malaysia’s international borders for travellers from all countries, effective April 2022, says Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
According to her, Sabah received nearly 152,000 Korean visitors from January to September this year,, an increase of 451.4 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
“Today, Sabah has 23 direct flights weekly from Incheon and Busan to Kota Kinabalu, operated by Jin Air, JejuAir, T’way Air and Air Busan.
“I understand that Airlines are increasing their flight frequency for the upcoming winter schedule. Also, Sabah will soon receive charter flight service from Incheon to Kota Kinabalu for the winter season,” Liew said at the Appreciation and Networking Luncheon with Korean Industry Players in conjunction with the Sabah Tourism Roadshow here Monday.
Eight Sabah local trade players are participating in the Roadshow to South Korea.
Thanking all stakeholders for their support here, the Minister noted that Sabah has hosted nearly 2,300 pax Korean incentive groups up to September 2023. “It is recorded as 47.31 per cent of the total Incentive groups hosted by Sabah.”
Liew stressed that as part of Sabah Tourism’s recovery strategies, her Ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), has been continuing its effort to regain the market share of the South Korea-Sabah sector by working closely with Airlines and all other stakeholders.
At this juncture, she shared the good news that the Sabah Government has announced the launch of the ‘Sabah – Malaysia My Second Home’ programme.
“This Sabah – Malaysia My Second Home programme is where we have improved the requirements and hope that it is more attractive to those wishing to invest their time longer in our State. Further information on this programme can be obtained from the Sabah Tourism Board later,” she said.
Saying the Sabah trade players will share product updates and the latest attractions around Sabah with Korean tourism operators, Liew urged the latter to take the opportunity to network and explore more business opportunities with their Sabah counterparts.
Liew made a vote of thanks to Tourism Malaysia Korea (Seoul Office) Director Shaharuddin Yahya and his team for their joint collaboration efforts in making this Roadshow a success.
“I wish everyone a fruitful meeting, and we look forward to welcoming you and your guests in Sabah,” she said.
Also present were the Embassy of Malaysia in the Republic of Korea’s Charge d’ Affaires Nazarudin Ja’afar, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking, STB Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tay Shu Lan.
