Hajiji: Sabah to set up Convention Bureau to tap into tourism-based business events

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to see a Convention Bureau up in operations to tap into tourism-based business events by early next year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this is another initiative to further make Sabah a preferred destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions and events that will boost tourism in the state.

He said this in his speech for the grand opening of the Hyatt Centric lifestyle hotel - which has over 200 sea and mountain view rooms availabl - in downtown Kota Kinabalu, Monday (Nov 21).

His speech was delivered by state Industrial Development minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

Hajiji said with tourism and economic recovery efforts in place, Sabah has managed to register 1.2 million domestic and international visitor arrivals from January to September this year with an estimated tourism receipt of RM2.1bil.

He said there will be additional 24 international flights per week beginning Dec 5 to Jan 1 next year from Taipei, Narita, Busan and Hong Kong which will add 52% to the current international seat capacity.

With this latest development, he was confident that Sabah's visitor arrivals would surpass the 1.3 million target set for this year.

"What all this means is that Sabah is open for business and for visitors. We are exploring various ways to enhance our tourism, recognising its importance as an economic catalyst," said Hajiji.

"This will enhance our competitiveness as we want to ensure that Sabah remains one of Malaysia’s favourite tourism destinations," he said.

Hajiji said new hotel developments such as the Hyatt Centric bode well for the tourism industry which was the worst-hit sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Tourism was one of the three key thrusts in addition to Agriculture and Industry. To cushion the impact, we have this year dispensed RM227.4 million to the tourism sector to support and revive the industry," he said

"This included empowering local communities through participation in the Rural Tourism Development Programme under the Sabah Tourism Board," he said.

Hajiji said others were recovery initiatives on international impactful high visibility, joint promotional destination campaigns with industry and airlines as well as media Familiarisation programmes.

Direct scheduled flights were reinstated as well as with established long-haul connectivity and in addition, the Special Airlines Incentives to airlines were also introduced to encourage airlines to resume international routes into Sabah.

He said six airlines have resumed their international routes to Kota Kinabalu as of this month.

On the opening of Hyatt Centric, Hajiji said this investment exemplified a bigger strategy and that is to make a sound investment where it counts.