China has taken the lead in international tourist arrivals in Sabah, with 262,070 visitors recorded between January and July this year, out of a total of 706,383 international arrivals, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. In comparison, during the same period last year, China contributed 26,054 visitors out of 424,052 international arrivals.
The remarkable increase of over 900 per cent is attributed to the mutual visa exemption between Malaysia and China, which was announced last December. “Tourism is a critical driver of Sabah’s economy, and the state government will continue enhancing its business environment and upgrading tourism facilities to attract more investors and tourists,” Hajiji explained.
Speaking at the 75th-anniversary reception of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Hajiji reaffirmed Sabah’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with China. “As economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China progresses, I look forward to more synergy in all areas of cooperation between Sabah and China. We will work closely with the Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu to enhance and continue this partnership,” he added.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists formed a significant portion of Sabah’s tourism, with a record high of 598,566 arrivals. Now, with flights to over 10 Chinese cities reinstated, Chinese tourists are steadily returning to Sabah. Hajiji also noted that Sabah remains a highly sought-after destination for Chinese visitors, both for leisure and business purposes.
Furthermore, Hajiji highlighted that Sabah offers abundant investment opportunities, particularly in green technology, high-tech agriculture, and mixed developments. “We are also keen for Chinese investors to explore opportunities in the state’s Blue Economy,” he stated.
