KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will have an engagement session with tourism players next Monday.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the session, via the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), was aimed at discussing the 2021 Tourism Recovery Plan, which is to assist the industry to get back on track.
The Plan consists of regaining confidence among consumers, supporting industry players, empowering niche markets, and rebuilding air networks following the closure of international borders.
"The engagement session also aims to create good cooperation in forming a comprehensive and holistic 2022 strategic plan," he said when winding up during the State Assembly sitting.
Jafry added that the ministry had also formed a Tourism Recovery Committee whose members included members of tourism associations who would provide input from operators.
Several meetings and dialogues were held during the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in reimbursements of federal government incentives and the state's Bantuan Prihatin 3.0.
"Apart from that, the state government has also given electricity bill rebates up to 30 per cent for hoteliers and homestays operators. There were 328 of them who benefited from it."
To attract high-paying tourists, said Jafry, STB would further strengthen the Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition (MICE) industry by injecting RM2 million under the "Sabah, Be Here for You" initiative.
"Sabah Tourism Board has also taken the initiative to hold three training sessions under the Human Capital Development Plan targeting 60 participants from industry players as well as participants interested in delving into the MICE industry.
"The training sessions were conducted by the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) where the course is recognised by the international body Events Industry Council."
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) asked additional questions on the government's efforts to help in lifting up issuance of travel advisories against tourism destinations due to security issues.
Some countries have warned their citizens not to travel to Sabah particularly its east coast due to reports of cross border crimes including kidnapping.
The former chief minister had also suggested for the state government to use the Home Ministry's allocations for security enforcement agencies to help in safeguarding the safety of international tourists via surveillance by sea, air and land.
Jafry responded that apart from working together with security agencies, there were also volunteer groups from Sabah Parks mobilised to the sites to ensure the safety of tourists.