MALAYSIA- The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is investigating the spending habits and travel behaviour of South Korean tourists in the state to determine how to counteract the alleged monopoly of foreign-owned travel agencies.
The study’s conclusions, according to STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, would be applied to create efficient marketing plans and provide a welcoming environment for visitors.
On Thursday, May 2, he stated, “We also want to find out how we can leverage their spending to benefit Sabah’s economy.”
He was reacting to criticism that foreign businesses are taking over Sabah’s restaurant and tour bus industries to serve their citizens, particularly those from China and South Korea, and displacing indigenous businesses.
He also mentioned that the study can be expanded to include visitors from other nations and is anticipated to be finished by the end of the month.
State Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Christina Liew agreed that such a monopoly is unfair and stated that the study would look into methods to expose visitors to more sights and activities throughout Sabah.
In collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board, we want to send a joint memorandum detailing our needs to the federal Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry upon the completion of the study. At the ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration here, she told reporters, “It’s high time (for action to be taken).”
She also said that the state administration would reexamine the proposal to give Sabah authority over tourism licensing, which is now under federal jurisdiction.
Regarding concerns regarding the prevalence of foreign businesses in Sabah’s tourism sector, Liew emphasized that the state’s economy still benefited from fees for lodging, food, and drink, as well as pursuits like mountain climbing, golf, and diving.
“But the study will determine the most effective solution for this problem,” she stated.
