Tourism Blueprint to be Completed by 2026

The State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment is completing a comprehensive long-term tourism blueprint by 2026. The blueprint will chart a new course for tourism growth with newer and clearer direction than previous master plans. It will also address sustainability and challenges such as aviation connectivity. Sabah is preparing to welcome four million visitors to the state during the “Visit Sabah 2027” year.

“In 2025, visitors to Sabah was 3.79 million arrivals, an increase of 20.8 per cent compared with 2024, and generated RM8.74 billion in revenue and created 400,000 jobs,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said at the grand opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu Tuaran, on 7 June 2026, at Kampung Pulau Simpangan, Kuala Matinggi, Tuaran.

The property has recently been redeveloped into Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu. “Premium developments such as Hilton group’s investment in Tuaran support several key pillars of Sabah’s tourism growth strategy, that is, strengthening premium and sustainable accommodation options, creating meaningful employment and skills development for locals, empowering community-based enterprises through the supply chain and promoting tourism that respects and preserves our environment.” The Hilton Garden Inn is part of the hotel group’s continued investment of RM500 million, covering the ongoing development and future development in Tuaran.

The CM said that Tuaran is strategically located to complement the hotel industry’s goals to entertain guests on Tuaran’s abundant natural attractions. “It is encouraging that the majority of employees at Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu is from the Tuaran district, Hajiji said. “It reflects our shared aspiration to ensure that local communities benefit directly from developments.” Sabah has seen the launch or near-completion of several signature hotel chains including Sheraton Kota Kinabalu in May 2026 and Avani, Fairfield by Marriott, Club Med, InterContinental, and Wyndham. The state’s Tourism Ministry is strengthening collaboration among the government, private sector, and communities and enhancing a resilient, high-value tourism industry, Hajiji said.