KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is gearing up to consolidate its position as a global tourism hub through ambitious plans for 2025 following its tourism success in 2024.
Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said AirAsia’s target of 5mil visitor arrivals in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau this year, facilitated by collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board and industry partners.
As we usher in the Year of the Golden Snake, we anticipate a vibrant year ahead, with strong economic spillovers benefiting the tourism sector and the people of Sabah,” she said in her festive message on Monday (Jan 27).
She added that significant economic benefits for Sabah’s tourism sector are expected. Key growth drivers include MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and cruise tourism, with 19 cruise ships scheduled to dock at KK Port.
Tourism in Sabah increased by 20.4% in 2024 to 3.14 million visitors, raking in RM7.28 billion. The recovery was at 75% of pre-pandemic levels, to which markets such as China and Brunei were significant contributors.
