Sabah is making strides to boost its market presence in Japan through its participation in the Tourism Expo Tokyo 2024.
Under the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion, the Sabah Tourism Board is promoting the state’s diverse offerings to the Japanese market, with a focus on student education tourism, diving, and birdwatching.
These efforts are bolstered by the launch of the Edu Plus and Golf packages by Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy during the expo.
Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit expressed optimism about the potential growth of Japanese tourist arrivals.
“We anticipate a significant increase in Japanese visitors to Sabah by 2025.
“Although direct flights from Japan to Sabah are currently limited, 51 per cent of Japanese visitors fly via Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA),” he said, adding that Sabah receives eight flights weekly from Brunei with strong transit connections.
In collaboration with RBA, the Sabah Tourism Board is actively optimising this crucial connectivity, making it easier for Japanese tourists to experience Sabah’s breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant culture.
Looking ahead, the Sabah Tourism Board is hopeful that Malaysia Airlines will launch a direct route from Haneda to Kota Kinabalu in the first quarter of 2025.
“This route would significantly enhance our connectivity, making it even more convenient for Japanese travellers to explore Sabah.
“It will not only support our efforts to increase tourist arrivals but also strengthen Sabah’s position as a destination for nature and adventure tourism,” added Julinus.
