Sabah Targets 3 million Visitors

Sabah is on track to achieve its 2024 target of 3 million visitors. By the third quarter of 2024, the arrivals were 2.42 million visitors. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor commended the tourism players and authorities for the achievement. Hajiji said Sabah will continue to enhance tourism infrastructure, focusing on high-value and sustainable tourism and to continue to be proactive to seek new products to lure visitors. Hajiji cited the growth in community-based tourism (CoBT) that has benefitted and empowered local communities.

"With just five products when the CoBT project was initiated in 2014, the initiative now has 107 registered CoBT owners and operators. Tourism is one of Sabah's greatest strengths: it is one of the top three contributors to the state’s economic coffer. It is a significant catalyst in creating economic opportunities in hospitality, transportation, and guide-related activities.” Hajiji said, on 7 December 2024, at the Sabah Tourism Appreciation Night at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu.

The Chief Minister reminded that tourism must be aligned closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Development and sustainability, that is, economic growth, reducing inequalities, promoting sustainable practices, and celebrating cultural and natural heritage, must be properly and efficiently balanced, Hajiji said.

Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment delivered the Chief Minister's speech.