SEMPORNA: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment is taking the initiative to exploit international direct flights from overseas like Hong Kong, Singapore, China to Tawau and Sandakan with an eye of boosting up the economic and tourism industry in the state.
Its Assistant Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said it would be a long-term plan to encourage more international visitors to visit Sabah easily.
Pang said it was undeniable that the East Coast of Sabah has its potential in developing its eco-based tourism products.
Apart from identifying new products, he said his ministry would make an efforts in improving the quality of services, accommodations, methods of serving the tourists as well as logistics measures.
He said this to the media after officiating at the World Turtle Day 2013 at Uncle Chang’s Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge here yesterday.
“Turtle is a tourism icon for diving industry in Sabah which is always ranked in the top-three. Therefore, the state government would work together with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and other corporations in creating awareness among the kids and youngsters on the importance of conserving the turtle population.
“Our children are the future hope of the country. They should possess a noble value of appreciation and love of the ecosystem of our country.
“In fact, our government has done a lot of effort in developing the tourism products and environment especially in the East Coast of Sabah to attract more tourists visiting our country,” Pang pointed out.
According to him, the wildlife and ecosystem are the main asset of the East Coast of Sabah and that his ministry would take proper plans to enhance any tourism products in the future.
He also urged local visitors and foreign visitors to join hands in taking good care of beautiful Sabah.