KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is looking at tapping tourists from countries other than China in a bid to salvage its tourism industry, said its Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
On Thursday, the state announced the temporary suspension of all direct flights from China in the wake of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak originating from Wuhan.
Sabah’s tourism industry has been hit hard by the epidemic, as Chinese tourists comprise the largest number of foreign visitors last year, totalling 558,903 people.
Shafie said that from an economic perspective, the state wants to be sustainable and avoid putting all eggs in one basket.
“The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew will be attending a convention in Russia and several other destinations.
“There are Europeans into conservation and the environment. We could also have scientists come for two to three months to do their studies,” he said, adding that Sabah has many conservation centres and areas that could be promoted to tourists besides beaches, islands and mountains.
Shafie was speaking to reporters after launching a website dubbed ‘E-Planning Permission’ that grants developers approval within 24 hours.
He said that Sabah has also been receiving an increasing number of tourists from Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and neighbouring countries.
“I told Liew to have meetings with all players, including hoteliers on this issue, to have reasonable rates (to lure tourists).
“This are our measures in increasing tourist arrivals. But, this is just temporary. When the (coronavirus outbreak) subsides and can be handled, we will lift (the travel ban from China),” he said, adding that the decision on halting China flights was made after taking into consideration Sabah’s limited healthcare capabilities.
Meanwhile, in Tawau, Liew, who was at a Chinese New Year celebration, said that there are cruise ship companies which have shown interest in including Sabah as their main stop.
“The Tourism, Culture and Environment ministry is also actively promoting cruise ship services that connect Kota Kinabalu to other districts such as Kudat, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau starting this year.
"We are confident that with the availability of cruise ships, we will bring in tourists on a large scale and spur the state economy,” she added.