Tourism picking up steadily in Sabah's eastcoast

East Sabah’s tourism cash registers have begun ringing again following the Sulu terrorist intrusion in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February.

There was an increase of tourist this month after a drastic drop during the Tanduo intrusion in Lahad Datu district. This was based on the number of tourist flocking to the district and Kinabatangan via packages by registered tour operators.

Initial worries that the intrusion of armed Sulu gunmen would impact the state's tourism industry appear to be unfounded following an increase in the number of visitors to Sabah within the first three months of this year.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah recorded over 718, 000 visitor arrivals between January and March. The state received 648, 000 visitors in the same period last year.

The largest number of tourist to the state were from Hong Kong and China, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the arrivals.

Moreover, tourist had also restored their confidence following government efforts to beef up security, especially in the east coast under the East Coast Security Zone.

This was also complemented by the Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Tourism Operators Association (KiTA), who are in communication with their counterparts abroad.

Other iniatives involved despatching the latest video clips to show peace and security enjoyed by the state, tourism activities and interviews with tourists who were happy with the security situation in the state.

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