Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Kota Kinabalu, Feb 14: Sabah is solidifying its status as an essential transportation hub in SouthEast Asia through its ongoing destination marketing and expansion of direct air connectivity.
Currently, Sabah’s international entry points are via Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam), Taipei, Hong Kong, Narita (Japan), Incheon (South Korea), Busan (South Korea), Manila (Philippines), and Bangkok (Thailand).
Airlines that provide direct routes between Sabah and these nine overseas destinations with a frequency of 72** flights per week include AirAsia, Scoot, Royal Brunei, Malaysia Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Cebu Pacific.
Sabah’s advantageous location in the BIMP-EAGA region, combined with the coming of Nusantara, makes it imperative that the state take steps to ensure it is well prepared to meet demands, including the possibility of new markets entering.
With this goal in mind, the Sabah Tourism Board is participating in the Route Asia 2023 event in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to expand its connections within the aviation sector and with other tourism-related agencies.
The Asia route development forum for Asia is set for Feb 14-16.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Noredah Othman, said that increasing air connectivity is one of Sabah’s top priorities and a key enabler for the continued growth of the state tourism industry, given that more than 90 percent of Sabah’s visitors arrive by air.
“We are committed to the industry. This event will enable us to have key conversations with senior decision-makers from the region’s airlines to rebuild robust international air connectivity into Sabah.
“We want to boost tourism growth by fostering new business relationships while strengthening old ones. Route Asia allows us to gain exclusive insight into the aviation sector in the new post-pandemic era,” she said.
The Sabah Tourism team is set to take advantage of the event to gather information on industry trends, competitor analysis, and customer preferences to help define future tourism development strategies in Sabah.
To better serve tourists and business visitors, Route Asia presents Sabah with the chance to promote its attractions, tourism offerings, and infrastructure to a diverse audience of aviation and travel industry experts, which in turn assists Sabah in attracting additional airlines and air routes.
These initiatives would be a welcome addition to Sabah’s established connections, the most recent of which is the direct route from Busan operated by Jin Air since Dec 2022.
Additionally, the state is looking into resuming direct flights with China following the recent border opening.
“While Sabah Tourism is working towards encouraging flight growth, we are also tripling our efforts to make Sabah a more visible destination.
“This year alone, we have carried out promotional efforts in Europe and the Scandinavian regions.
“As a business, we understand the value of targeting tourists from all over the world, including these areas. We intend to develop permanent ties with travel agents so they may inform their fellow residents or tourists about Sabah and the available direct flights if they travel to any destination that already has an
established a link with Sabah,” Noredah said. In addition to international flights, Sabah is also well connected by domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kota Bharu, Labuan, Penang, and Sarawak on Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, Air Asia, Batik Air, MyAirlines, and Firefly.
Sabah recorded 1,511,163 tourist visitors and RM2.73 billion in tourism receipts between January and November 2022. There were 1,300,729 domestic arrivals and 210,434 overseas arrivals.
- EV Charging Mall Initiative
- Machine-Tending in Industry 5.0
- “That Cover Girl” Premieres
- What’s On This Oct
- Kiwi Game Studio Prioritizes Experience
- ACCC Childcare Sector Challenges
- MDEC and Acxyn Partnership
- PAX Aus Gaming Highlights
Editor’s Note: You can now download our app on the Google Play Store or the Apple Store, or write your next best-selling novel with our sister app Toolis, available on the Apple Store and Google Play Store or purchase something from us at www.tapiroo.com, yayaezzy.com or at lazybumskincare.com.au.
We are happy to note that we are also now on Amazon Australia. Purchase our products as a show of support to us. They are Yaya, Ezzy, Tante June and Xeno backpacks or our beauty products such as LazyBum Skincare Facial Cleanser, LazyBum Skincare Toner and Moisturiser and Blitz Hair Oil Spray.
Also, check out our rate card and media kit here if you would like to advertise with us on this website. Thank you!
Like What You Read?
Howdy! Thanks for dropping by and reading our stuff. DailyStraits.com is an independent website that covers all things business and entrepreneurship related. If you like what you read, a little donation from your good self will go a long way in helping us run this site successfully. Thank you!
$5.00
Welcome to dailystraits.com. Please send all interview requests and press releases to editor@dailystraits.com.