Sabah is making efforts to attract tourists from Kelantan and Perak.
The Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah has initiated a move to hold a business networking event with tourism players in Kota Bharu.
Its Chairman, Vincent Sia, said they want to capitalize on AirAsia’s current operation between Kota Kinabalu and Kota Bharu, which runs three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The event was attended by Kelantan Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor, and Tourism Malaysia Eastern Region Office Deputy Director Mohd Azizul Arif Yahaya.
To attract more travelers to visit Sabah, he suggested that AirAsia might consider increasing flight frequency as Kelantan has a promising market.
MCTA Sabah also held a business networking event with tourism players in Ipoh.
“The visitors can travel to Sabah via Penang, which has an international airport,” Vincent noted.
Vincent said that he had extended an invitation to Perak Tourism Chairman Datuk Mohd Kamil Shafie to visit Sabah in the near future to foster cooperation.
Both Sabah and Perak have their own tourism products, and many Perak travel agencies have never been to Sabah, he said.
“Perak also boasts its own elephants, distinct from Sabah’s pygmy elephants,” he added.
MCTA Sabah members also attended the National MCTA annual general meeting and election held in Kuala Lumpur, where Patrick Law was appointed as the new president.
He also congratulated MCTA Sabah Advisor Lawrence Wong on being elected as the national 1st Vice President.
He hoped that the new office bearers will provide them with greater support and create more opportunities for business and benefits for the members.
