SANDAKAN – Sabah is committed to further strengthening its presence in the Singaporean tourism market, according to Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, said Sabah needs to capitalise on Singapore’s status as a crucial aviation hub that caters to international flights and travellers.
“This convenient and efficient connection has greatly enhanced accessibility, making Sabah more accessible to travellers from Singapore and beyond,” he said when addressing Singaporean travel agents during the Meet-The-Experts programme in Kota Kinabalu today.
“Sabah needs to leverage the existing Singapore-Kota Kinabalu direct route to its fullest potential. Singapore’s status as a bustling hub of commerce, culture, and tourism attracts millions of visitors annually.
“Sabah, with its distinctive offerings, stands to benefit significantly by tapping into this vibrant market,” he said.
Bangkuai said that the collaboration between Singaporean travel agents and Sabah’s tourism industry offers mutual opportunities for growth and prosperity.
The Meet-the-Experts programme, organised by Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with the STB and Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore, was a targeted business-to-business session.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal from Tourism Malaysia, said that Singaporean travel agents would have the unique opportunity to partake in a familiarisation trip through a planned group visit around Sabah.
“We have organised groups to visit Semporna and Kundasang, recognising these as two highly sought-after destinations among Singaporean travellers,” he said.
He said that Tourism Malaysia is thrilled about crafting even more thrilling and high-quality travel experiences to captivate visitors and promote Sabah and Malaysia in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. – February 29, 2024