Labuan Sees Maiden Arrival Of Chinese Tourists As Revenue Magnet

By Jailani Hasan LABUAN (Malaysia), Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Labuan Tuesday saw the maiden arrival of a group of 108 Chinese tourists as part of efforts to kick-start the transformation of the duty-free island’s tourism industry into a revenue magnet. The group from Nanning in Guangxi province arrived via a direct chartered flight to Malaysia's Sabah state capital of Kota Kinabalu before they were ferried by a Labuan 3 Ferry Express to the island about 11.30am. The tourists, who were given a traditional welcome will be taken around Labuan town for duty-free items, historical sites, museum and beaches. Labuan MP Rozman Isli said the arrival of the tourists was a ‘kick-start’ in tourism efforts to turn the island into a premier tourist destination. “We are glad to welcome the Chinese tourists to the island as China is a big market in terms of tourism. "As we are welcoming foreign tourist arrivals, upgrading works on tourism facilities are also in the pipeline to boost our tourism sector,” he told reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal here Tuesday. He said tourism related industry players, including eatery operators should prepare for a ‘big change’ in Labuan, as Chinese tourist arrivals would continue until year-end, either via Kota Kinabalu or neighbouring Brunei. “With the arrival of large groups of Chinese tourists at least once a week, we expect business activities and services on the island to quadruple, and the demand for domestic accommodation to certainly, double. "Let’s show that we are prepared to welcome them with our friendly services. We want this first group to be the marketeer of our tourism products to other tourists, probably, via the latest technology of gadget-to-gadget,” added Rozman. Rozman, who is also Labuan Corporation chairman said efforts were also underway to lure foreign tourists, including South Koreans, into the island in collaboration with other states’ tour agents. The arrival of the first batch of Chinese tourist was initiated by Labuan Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) chief, Chin Hong Vui through a series of discussions with foreign tour agents to assist the Labuan tourism development. “I was just doing my part as one of the Labuan’s community leaders and a corporate citizen to help our tourism sector. We must take an approach of ‘less talk more action’ in whatever we are planning. "Nevertheless, I’m grateful to the Labuan Corporation’s close cooperation to help ensure the mission of bringing the Chinese tourists into the island has finally been realised,” he said. -- BERNAMA