ID :
75963
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 18:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/75963
The shortlink copeid
EAST MALAYSIA STATE STRIVES TO STRENGTHEN TOURISM INDUSTRY TO FUEL ECONOMIC GROWTH
KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The East Malaysia state of
Sabah government is striving to further strengthen the state's tourism industry
in an effort to boost economic growth.
In this respect, Chief Minister Musa Aman hoped, more hotels would be built
to support the development of the tourism industry.
"It is especially hearting to see the Cititel Hotel Management, the
largest home-grown hotel group in Malaysia, showing confidence in the growth
and development of Sabah's hospitality sector.
"This is fitting as tourism is one of three major sectors the state
government has identified to fuel economic growth," he said when opening the
Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu, here, the capital of Sabaha state Tuesday.
Musa said the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, which is
already Malaysia's second biggest and busiest gateway, would pave the way for
more airlines taking note of Sabah as an important destination.
"Tourism has grown and we are expecting more visitors to come to our
beautiful state. The establishment of the Cititel Express complements the
ever-growing demand for hotel rooms," he said.
He said the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) provided many opportunities to
galvanise the tourism industry by leveraging on the natural islands, tropical
rainforests and wildlife.
"THe SDC also aims to create close to a million jobs by 2025. I am happy
to note that the Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu is already making a contribution
towards that goal.
"This initial investment of RM30 million (US$8.4 million) is creating
significant employment, with 80 new jobs for locals," he added.
On tourist arrivals, Musa said last year alone, about 2.095 million visitors
came to Sabah, a five per cent increase from the previous year.
He added that the positive trend has continued with 1.029 million net
visitor arrivals in Sabah between January and June of this year, a 0.3 percent
increase from the same period last year.
-- BERNAMA
Sabah government is striving to further strengthen the state's tourism industry
in an effort to boost economic growth.
In this respect, Chief Minister Musa Aman hoped, more hotels would be built
to support the development of the tourism industry.
"It is especially hearting to see the Cititel Hotel Management, the
largest home-grown hotel group in Malaysia, showing confidence in the growth
and development of Sabah's hospitality sector.
"This is fitting as tourism is one of three major sectors the state
government has identified to fuel economic growth," he said when opening the
Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu, here, the capital of Sabaha state Tuesday.
Musa said the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, which is
already Malaysia's second biggest and busiest gateway, would pave the way for
more airlines taking note of Sabah as an important destination.
"Tourism has grown and we are expecting more visitors to come to our
beautiful state. The establishment of the Cititel Express complements the
ever-growing demand for hotel rooms," he said.
He said the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) provided many opportunities to
galvanise the tourism industry by leveraging on the natural islands, tropical
rainforests and wildlife.
"THe SDC also aims to create close to a million jobs by 2025. I am happy
to note that the Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu is already making a contribution
towards that goal.
"This initial investment of RM30 million (US$8.4 million) is creating
significant employment, with 80 new jobs for locals," he added.
On tourist arrivals, Musa said last year alone, about 2.095 million visitors
came to Sabah, a five per cent increase from the previous year.
He added that the positive trend has continued with 1.029 million net
visitor arrivals in Sabah between January and June of this year, a 0.3 percent
increase from the same period last year.
-- BERNAMA
