KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks will increase entrance fees for all parks beginning next year to address visitor overcrowding concerns.
Its director Dr Jamili Nais said the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks has agreed to the fee hike, as maintaining optimum park conditions is their main priority.
Fees for locals will be increased from RM3 to RM5, while foreigners will be charged RM20, which is double the current rate.
Tourist arrivals at Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman’s marine parks, which are about a 15-minute boat ride from the city, were almost 450,000 last year alone.
Jamili added that they are currently mulling methods of diverting visitors to other islands.
"Other challenges (we face include) collecting rubbish which drift to the islands, and to provide clean water supply," he said during a celebration marking the 43rd anniversary of the gazettement of Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman and the launch of the Marine Aquarium centre here.