KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s tourism industry has kicked off the year with a surge in visitor arrivals, recording a total of 923,709 tourists between January and March, an 18.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Of this total, 366,727 were international arrivals, while 556,982 were domestic visitors, reflecting growing interest in Sabah from both local and overseas travellers.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the state also recorded RM2.13bil in tourism receipts for the first quarter, marking a 17.7% rise from the same period in 2024.
She added that the numbers were a positive indicator of Sabah’s continued appeal and resilience in the competitive tourism sector.
“This strong start shows that Sabah remains a destination of choice, both for new visitors and returning travellers,” she told reporters after officiating at the MATTA Fair Sabah 2025 in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday (May 10).
She added that China continues to top the list of Sabah’s international tourist markets with 154,319 arrivals, followed by South Korea (57,995) and Brunei (45,469).
Liew said Sabah is also preparing to unveil a series of tourism developments by year-end, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and providing fresh offerings for both first-timers and repeat tourists.
“As I announced earlier, Sabah is planning to launch a number of projects, both big and small, before the end of the year. These are meant to offer something new for everyone,” she said.
She added that the aim is to transform Sabah into a destination where travellers are encouraged to stay longer.
“Don’t just come and go, stay for at least a week so we can properly showcase what Sabah has in store,” she said.
On projections, Liew said Sabah expects to receive between 3.2 and 3.5 million visitors in 2025.
But she stressed that what has been announced so far is just “the tip of the iceberg.”
“Next week, I will be in Sandakan to announce new or upgraded attractions around the wildlife centre. The following week, I will be in Kudat to unveil two major tourism-related projects,” she added.
Liew also shared that larger-scale initiatives, such as the redevelopment of the Wisma Budaya site and the construction of its own Wisma KePKAS, are in the pipeline.
These projects will centralise all agencies under her ministry to improve service efficiency and collaboration.
“Sabah is undergoing a tourism transformation. We are not just targeting new visitors but also encouraging repeat visits. Once our developments are completed, there will be even more to offer,” she said.
Liew commended the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Sabah chapter for organising the tourism gathering, which she said helps boost travel activity and partnership-building.
