KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah not only offers affordable holiday destinations but also plays a crucial role in fostering national integration.
Acknowledging the economic concerns, specifically the depreciation of the ringgit, Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the weak ringgit has made Sabah, and Malaysia as a whole, to be a more accessible tourist destination.
He added that the shift in travel preferences would help domestic tourism grow and be in line with the state government's Sabah Maju Jaya development plan to boost the state economy.
He also highlighted the importance of reciprocity in promoting national unity, urging Sabahans to embrace cultural exchange with people from other states.
"In choosing to visit Sabah, it's akin to going overseas, as you will be crossing the South China Sea. Travellers from Peninsular Malaysia not only get to explore a new destination within Malaysia, but also engage in cultural exchange with local communities and foster a deeper sense of unity and understanding among Malaysians," he said in a statement.
Joniston, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, was speaking to media practitioners at a breaking of fast event hosted by the board at a hotel here.
Present was STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit.
Joniston is leading the Sabah Tourism Board team to the 2024 Matta Fair held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from 22-24 March.
He thanked the media for promoting Sabah's tourism stories, noting that their efforts contribute to the state's key performance indicators, particularly in terms of arrivals and tourism receipts.
"Your collaborative efforts not only generate ripple effects but also empower local communities and enrich Sabah's tourism landscape," he added.
Sabah exceeded its 2023 tourism target of 2.2 million visitors with 2.6 million visits and RM5.5 billion in tourism revenue.
Between January and December 2023, Sabah recorded 1,754,797 domestic visitors, while international arrivals were 858,475.
Statistics from the Sabah Tourism Board show that in the first two months of this year, Sabah had 300,990 domestic and 231,237 foreign tourists.
Sabah recorded a higher number of foreign arrivals (141,887) from Northeast Asia, which includes China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
This was followed by 64,958 visitors from Southeast Asia, including Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The country with the most tourists coming to Sabah is China (91,936), followed by South Korea (42,653) and Brunei (36,066).