Liew (third left) kicking off the Football Tournament with Park at right. With her are Chan, Lai and Rosmawati.
KOTA KINABALU: Statistics from the Sabah Tourism Board’s (STB) Research Division indicate that Sabah recorded a total of 2,094,202 visitor arrivals from January to August this year, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
Announcing this at the official launching of Xplore Sabah Expo 2024 : Discover Sabah as the Go-To Destination for Activity Tourism at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here Friday, she said this registered an increase of 25.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2023 (January to August 2023: 1,665,951).
The breakdown is : International tourists – 867,231; Domestic tourists – 1,226,971.
“I attribute this positive growth to various factors such as improved consumer confidence, enhanced air connectivity through smart-partnership and collaboration with airlines, and marketing campaigns by the STB,” said Liew.
According to her, an estimated tourism receipt of RM4.88 billion was generated from January to August this year, which is RM1.2 billion more compared to the same period last year (January to August 2023 : RM3.64 billion).
On the main target markets, Liew said China Market is the key source of international arrivals to Sabah, followed by Brunei Market and South Korea which now stands as the third highest source of international arrivals.
“Singapore has reached 110pc of pre-pandemic levels while the Europe Region has shown a full recovery to 115pc of pre-pandemic levels. The top five countries contributing to this increase were the UK and Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and France,” she said.
Meanwhile, Liew said the inaugural event (Xplore Sabah) marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote Sabah as a premier destination for activity tourism.
It was organised by a consortium of leading Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) Sabah Chapter members.
“Xplore Sabah serves as a platform to showcase the incredible diversity and beauty of our state. From our lush rainforests and pristine beaches to our rich cultural heritage, Sabah offers a unique blend of experiences that cater to every traveller’s desires.
“By focusing on eco-tourism, education tourism, cultural tourism, sport tourism and adventure tourism, Xplore Sabah aims to inspire and engage visitors from all walks of life. These sectors not only contribute to our economy but also help preserve our natural environment and promote sustainable development,” said Liew.
The Minister commended the organising team’s dedication to promoting activity tourism, saying their efforts will undoubtedly have a positive impact on Sabah’s tourism industry and bring economic benefits to our state.
She said: “As a ministry (KePKAS) committed to the development of tourism, culture, and environment, it is fully behind this initiative. We believe that Xplore Sabah will play a vital role in telling the world the story of Sabah’s natural beauty, cultural richness and endless opportunities for adventure.
“I encourage all of you to explore the expo and discover the many wonders that Sabah has to offer.
“Let us strive to position Sabah as a leading destination for activity tourism and create a sustainable future for our state, added Liew.
The Minister later blew a whistle to kick off a football tournament involving schoolchildren from Super Saga FA, Mastery Football Club, and Old KK United, with Sabah Football Club Captain Park Tae-Soo kicking the ball towards goalkeeper Muhammad Anas Zafran Shahzarol from SK Api-Api.
Organising Chairman cum MACEOS Sabah Chapter Honorary Secretary, Chan Kay Yi said activity tourism is a type of tourism that focuses on participation in recreational activities and events, involving physical activities in natural or built environments.
“It offers a unique way to experience a destination and connect with the local culture and community,” she said.
Xplore Sabah featured various exhibition booths related to activity tourism with a 3X3 Basketball Tournament and a Under-9 Futsal Tournament being held at SICC for the first time, apart from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai demo classes.
Sponsors included KePKAS, Sabah Convention Bureau, STB, SICC, Tourism Malaysia, and Sabah Football Association. Among the strategic partners were MACEOS Sabah Chapter, Sri Pelancongan Sabah, International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo, Property Hunter, and Kota Kinabalu Basketball Association.
Also present were KePKAS Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Head of Mission & Minister Counsellor from the Consulate of the Republic of Korea His Excellency Yoon Ockchae and MACEOs Sabah Chapter Chairperson Datuk Rosmawati Lasuki, who emphasised the importance of Xplore Sabah in promoting Sabah’s tourism industry and creating new economic opportunities.
