The business community is open to supporting initiatives that create opportunities and boost Sabah’s tourism growth.
Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) President Datuk Michael Lui said the positive tourism momentum, especially post-pandemic, is encouraging for local businesses.
“Many local players are benefiting, and we look forward to continued collaboration to attract both international and domestic tourists,” he said.
Lui led KKCCI members on a courtesy call to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
During the meeting, Lui welcomed Joniston’s suggestion to explore rural areas to complement the growing urban tourism market.
Joniston, who chairs STB, said rural tourism is a growing focus for Sabah and offers untapped potential for private sector involvement.
He noted that many rural communities have developed community-based tourism, and further business support would help expand these grassroots efforts.
More private sector involvement, he said, would create local jobs, support rural development and enhance the sustainability of tourism initiatives.
The meeting also addressed tourism recovery and the importance of public-private partnerships in event support and destination marketing.
Lui thanked the Ministry and STB for promoting golf tourism and supporting KKCCI’s golf event in May, which he said helped boost business confidence.
He also praised ongoing efforts to attract more tourists, saying this had strengthened Kota Kinabalu’s economy and visibility.
