KOTA KINABALU: International visitors to Sabah found a treat waiting for them when they landed here – Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) has kicked off.
Those interviewed expressed excitement at learning more about this campaign, which will see a host of festivals, concerts and international sporting events in the coming months.
A couple and their mother from Tianjin, China, were pleased to hear that 2026 is a special tourism year for Malaysia.
“We will check out what lies ahead in this Visit Malaysia Year, and maybe we could come back another time,” said the woman, who declined to be named.
They were on the seventh day of their trip and had visited islands and other places around town to sample food, take photos and enjoy the different cultures, scenery and environment.
“For me, the weather is hot, the hospitality is warm, the food unique and the cleanliness is quite satisfactory,” said the man.
A trio from Zhejiang, who arrived at the stroke of midnight yesterday, said they found the weather and skies beautiful, albeit rather warm.
“We are excited to explore Sabah and learn more about Visit Malaysia Year,” said one of them, who wanted to be known only as Maxi, adding that it might lure them back to Sabah in the future.
The other two tourists, who hail from Liyang, said they plan to return here soon and may visit other parts of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, natural attractions could be the key to achieving Sabah’s target of four million tourist arrivals, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Speaking while welcoming visitors at Kota Kinabalu International Airport yesterday, he highlighted internationally recognised sites such as Kinabalu Park, the Crocker Range, and the Sukau area – the latter listed as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve – as major draws for tourists.
“This goal is achievable following last year’s arrivals of over 3.6 million visitors, exceeding the 3.5 million target for 2025,” he said.
“Sabah has unique strengths and the potential to emerge as a world-class tourism destination, with pristine seas, lush tropical forests, mountainous landscapes, and a rich tapestry of cultural diversity,” Jafry added.
