Sabah keen to explore more tourism prospects with Hungary

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wishes to explore more bilateral tourism prospects with Hungary, says state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

In extending her invitation to Hungarian tourism players to visit the Land Below the Wind, she said there are good prospects for bilateral cooperation.

"We welcome travel agents and tour operators (in Budapest) to reach out to us to explore potential collaboration opportunities and join hands in promoting Sabah to Hungarians, and Hungary to Sabahans," said Liew, who has been in Hungary leading a delegation from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) on a promotion mission from Saturday to Tuesday (March 9 to 12).

In a statement on Tuesday, Liew said she advocated exchange visits to foster people-to-people connections during a meeting with Budapest deputy mayor for Human Affairs Dr Anett Bosz on Monday (March 11).

She said the meeting was an invaluable opportunity for Sabah to explore new markets and introduce the destination to Central Europe.

The Minister said promotional campaigns and marketing strategies could be developed by both Sabah and Hungary through collaborations.

She said Budapest's strategic location and flight connectivity enable travellers to access Sabah via flights connecting the two areas through Shanghai in China, or Kuala Lumpur.

Responding to Liew’s invitation to visit Sabah, Bosz welcomed the idea of connecting the two cities.

"I am indeed motivated to go on this road of collaboration," she added.

Earlier, Malaysian Ambassador to Hungary Francisco Munis said the Budapest Marathon could be a platform for collaboration as Sabah also holds the Borneo Marathon and Mt Kinabalu Climbathon, among other international events.