State Govt committed to boost tourism – CM

SANDAKAN: The State Government is committed to boost the tourism industry in Sabah and the involvement of youths in contributing ideas to boost the industry is important, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman.

He commended the Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN) run by youths who had come up with various ideas to attract tourists to the district such as the Sandakan Food Festival and other programmes that promote Sandakan as a tourism spot, nature city, seafood paradise and its environment conservation efforts.

Musa also said that about three million tourists came to Sabah last year.

“The efforts of our youths together with the support of local leaders and other agencies are making a positive development on the tourism industry here,” he added when launching the Sandakan Food Festival organised by STAN and other agencies and associations at Yu Yuan Secondary School parking lot here, on Thursday.

STAN chairman Johnny Lim said the Tourism Ministry and Sabah Tourism Board were involved in making the festival happen.

He said that the event which was held for the first time received around 7,000 visitors on its second day.

STAN was established over three years ago and Johnny said that more effort needs to be taken to promote Sandakan’s history, environment and conservation centres including for the Orang Utan and sun bear.

Also present were Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Zakaria Edris, Elopura Assemblyman Datuk Au Kam Wah, Sukau Assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, Sekong Assemblyman Datuk Samsudin Yahya, and Organising Chairman Anton Ngui.

Meanwhile, Musa said that the extension of Sandakan Airport announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak here in March had received immediate approval from the local tourism community here as it will boost the tourism sector here.

“The Government is committed to bring development to the people from time to time with various efforts and allocation set for Sabah,” he added.