Tourism Remains as a Significant Economic Sector

Sabah's tourism industry has contributed 15 per cent of the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 and has contributed RM13.1 billion to the state's economy in 2023 and it has created 380,000 jobs across various sectors. One of Sabah’s iconic tourism products is community-based initiatives which are coordinated by individuals and families at villages. In 2024, the total state revenue contribution from the sector was RM7 million. "We take pride in community-based tourism because of community involvement in all the districts," Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said on 19 June 2025 at the launching of the ASEAN Travel Exchange (ATEX 2025) in Kota Kinabalu.

Hajiji said that Sabah will continue to embrace green economy initiatives, and digital transformation. ATEX 2025 serves as a reminder of how effective the combination of tourism, travel, hospitality, and aviation can be. "Hosting ATEX 2025 in Kota Kinabalu is an honour for us in Sabah. It is a platform for us to learn and forge new connections and collectively shape the dynamics of tourism in this region," Hajiji added.

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