KOTA KINABALU, Feb 27 — Sabah welcomed 3.14 million tourists in 2024, beating its three-million target and recording a 20.4 per cent increase from the previous year.
State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, stated that tourism receipts increased to RM7.28 billion, up from RM5.76 billion in 2023.
The recovery arrival for tourism hit 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, driven by domestic tourists and regional visitors from China and Brunei. Recovery for international arrival was also noted at 86 per cent, with key markets including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, India, and Europe posting positive growth,” she said during the 2025 New Year message at the Excellent Service Award (APC) ceremony.
Liew noted the successful implementation of the Integrated Cultural Mapping Project for Sabah (2024-2025) by the Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS), which unifies ethnic data databases.
The Sabah Museum Department also added 15,400 more artefacts to its collection and recorded 960 entries in the Sabah Museum Repository Information Cultural Heritage System (SMRICHES).
On environmental conservation, Liew announced several new park proposals that had been approved by the state government, including:
- Teluk Darvel (126,475.16 hectares)
- Mantanani (160,975 hectares)
- Pulau Mengalum (624,316 hectares)
- Mamut (2,112 hectares)
The Sabah Wildlife Department also hired 179 Community Rangers under the Biodiversity Patrolling and Protection (BP3) programme and formed a 10-year Wildlife Crime Action Plan to combat illegal activities.
Going forward, Liew said the ministry will focus on high-impact projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan, which will further grow the tourism sector, enhance cultural activities, and increase environmental conservation activities — Bernama
