KK quiet after China tourists stopped arriving

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A quieter Jesselton Point due to the halt in tourists arrivals from China. This site is popular among tourists who are on their way to the islands that surround Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: Merely a week ago, the streets of Kota Kinabalu were packed with tourists from China, the sound of their chatter filling the air.

But now, their presence can no longer be felt, and the city is once again, back to its laid back and quiet self.

Their absence is definitely felt, particularly by business operators that thrived on their presence – the food eateries, the tour operators, and even small sundry shops.

Tour operator Florentius Jupin said that he is lucky he wasn’t concentrating mainly on tourists from China.
“But some of my friends are, and they are really suffering due to the onset of the coronavirus and cancellation of tourist arrivals from China,” he said.

Florentius added that he can still survive as he still has clients from other parts of Malaysia.

He also said that he concentrates mainly on inbound tourism.

“Restaurants that deal mainly with tourists from China are suffering right now. The seafood restaurants in KK, for example. They are nearly empty of patrons,” he said.

At the Jesselton Point, a place often packed with tourists from China who come in busloads after busloads, is also quieter now.

A coffee seller told the Borneo Post that business is down by over 50 percent due to the absence of the tourists from China.

And Italian restauranteur Luciano Ceresa said that they have to lure locals to come to their restaurant by providing discounts.

The operation of tour buses that once flocked the city streets has also slowed down, now almost to a naught.
Sabah cabinet had decided to restrict all flights from China last month.

The decision was made to curb the spread of the coronavirus, also known as the Wuhan virus, into Sabah.

As of Sunday, China’s Health Commission has reported 361 deaths nationwide.

It had also mentioned 475 recoveries.