State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (front line, second left) with Batik Air chief executive officer Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri (front line, left) during the meeting between the Ministry officials and the Indonesian airline on Wednesday at Kuala Lumpur.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is keen to leverage on the potential direct routes from Indonesia to promote the state as a health tourism destination to the neighbouring tourists.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said they are currently in talks with Indonesian airline Batik Air on connecting several Indonesian destinations with the state capital.
“Among the new routes discussed include Pontianak, Balik Papan and Kalimantan.
“In line with the new routes, the Ministry wishes to develop Sabah as a health tourism destination.
"We have quality and high standards in the healthcare services sector.
"So, I am confident it is the right time for Sabah to promote the latest facilities offered by hospitals here, especially to the Indonesian market,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 4).
Jafry said this following a meeting with Batik Air chief executive officer Captain Mushafiz Mustafa Bakri and the airline's general manager Muhammad Ariff Abdul Aziz in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Aug 3).
According to Jafry, Sabah should fully utilise the current growing trend of health tourism, as visitors from this sector have the potential to spend more than normal tourists.
“And with the health tourism network and links, it will open a doorway for tourists to explore ‘nature healing’ concept locations in Sabah, as Sabah is known for its lush nature which can generate a positive impact in the healing process.
“Therefore, I hope to see these new routes realised in the near future, as access in terms of flight connectivity plays an important role to attract the segment of visitors from the neighbouring nation,” he added.
