Bangkuai with SATS-Creuers Cruise Services chief executive officer Gregory Tan (center) and Marella Cruises head of marine and operations Joel Christopher Hipple (left).
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is getting more attention from international cruise operators who see potential in the industry here.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said with such growing interest, it was clear that the state has strong potential to further develop as a cruise tourism destination.
He said this after a luncheon meeting and a site visit with cruise industry players including from SATS-Creuers Cruise Services, Singapore Tourism Board and international cruise liners keen to explore tourism offerings here on Tuesday (Jan 27). During the meetings, SATS-Creuers Cruise Services chief executive officer Gregory Tan said cruise operators were constantly seeking suitable day-excursion attractions for passengers, noting that Mari-Mari Cultural Village and Kinabalu Park remain a popular choice for visitors.
"Cruise ships typically arrive early in the morning and depart by sunset. As such, it is important to have a wider range of accessible attractions within the city and suburb to enhance the overall passenger experience," he said.
Meanwhile, Marella Cruises head of marine and operations Joel Christopher Hipple said Sabah has the potential to attract more cruise ships, noting that port infrastructure, particularly berth depth, is an important consideration for cruise deployment. Currently, he said Kota Kinabalu Port has a depth of about 9m, while the Sandakan Port is about 7m deep, with certain areas affected by sandbanks.
In response, Bangkuai, who is also Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said STB welcomed initiatives that brought in visitors and generated tourism spending spillover for the local economy.
He was also briefed on efforts by Suria Capital Holdings Bhd to bring more cruise ships to Sabah, with 25 cruise ship calls confirmed this year, bringing in close to 30,000 passengers.
In 2025, Sabah recorded 23 cruise ship calls with 24,634 passengers, comprising 19 ships calling at Kota Kinabalu Port and four at Sandakan Port - nearly double compared with 2024, which saw 14 ships and 16,727 passengers.
