Sabah Formulating Long-term Tourism Development Plan To Drive Sustainable Growth - Hajiji

TUARAN, June 7 (Bernama) --The Sabah government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KepKAS), is formulating a comprehensive long-term Sabah Tourism Development Plan that is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the plan would chart a new direction for the state's tourism industry by providing clear strategic guidance, addressing sustainability concerns and challenges such as flight connectivity, reflecting the aspirations of local communities, and establishing a development framework that goes beyond previous tourism master plans.

He said the initiative would support Sabah’s preparations for Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Sabah Year 2027 while strengthening the state's position as one of the country's leading tourism destinations.

“With the various programmes currently being implemented, Sabah is on track to achieve its target of four million visitor arrivals in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year and to prepare for Visit Sabah Year 2027.

“Last year, Sabah recorded an encouraging performance with 3.79 million visitor arrivals, representing a 20.8 per cent increase compared with the previous year. The sector generated RM8.74 billion in tourism receipts and created nearly 400,000 job opportunities,” he said in a statement after officiating the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu Tuaran in Kampung Pulau Simpangan, Kuala Matinggi, today.

Hajiji said that despite external factors that may affect the tourism sector, KepKAS remains committed to balancing economic growth with sustainability, strengthening collaboration between the government, private sector and local communities, and leveraging digital innovation to build a resilient and high-value tourism industry.

He said these efforts are aimed at ensuring tourism development remains environmentally and culturally sustainable while enhancing Sabah’s appeal at both the regional and international levels.

According to Hajiji, developments such as the Hilton Garden Inn support several key pillars of Sabah’s tourism growth strategy, including expanding premium and sustainable accommodation options, creating employment opportunities, enhancing skills development among residents, empowering community-based enterprises through supply-chain participation and promoting responsible tourism practices.

He noted that the opening of the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu early last month, together with several hotel projects currently under construction or in the pipeline, demonstrates continued investor confidence in Sabah’s tourism and hospitality sector.

“This sends a clear signal that Sabah remains a competitive and attractive destination for quality investment in tourism and hospitality,” he said.

Commenting on the Hilton Garden Inn development, Hajiji said it forms part of a broader investment commitment estimated at RM500 million, covering both the current project and future Hilton developments in Sabah.

He added that the property, redeveloped as Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu Tuaran, is strategically located in his hometown of Tuaran, a district with strong growth potential, particularly as a tourism hub capable of generating economic benefits for surrounding businesses, local entrepreneurs and communities.

“Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu also contributes to local economic development through job creation, with the majority of its workforce comprising residents of Tuaran. It reflects a shared vision of developing a high-value and sustainable tourism sector that benefits both the local economy and the community,” he said.

-- BERNAMA