Sabah Welcomes Thousands of Cruise Passengers, Sees Tourism Surge
Last week, the MS Seven Seas Explorer docked in Kota Kinabalu, bringing with it 667 passengers and 547 crew members on a Borneo Island adventure. The cruise ship’s itinerary included stops in Sabah, Brunei, and Indonesia.
Sabah Tourism extended a warm welcome to the passengers via Facebook, stating, “We’re delighted to have you dock in the vibrant heart of Borneo. Though your stay may be short, we hope you’ll enjoy the charm of Kota Kinabalu — its landscapes, cuisine, and warm, friendly people.”
The arrival of the cruise ship coincided with news that Sabah’s tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence.
Recent figures revealed that the state welcomed a total of 2.41 million visitors (both domestic and international) in the first nine months of 2024. This translated to MYR5.62 million in tourism revenue – a significant accomplishment. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew highlighted that Chinese visitors comprised 39% of the total visitor count, further emphasizing the importance of this market segment.
This impressive growth trajectory has been attributed to enhanced flight connectivity. According to Datuk Christina Liew, “This impressive growth is attributed to increased flight connectivity, with 98% of arrivals via air travel.
Sabah currently benefits from 377 weekly domestic flights offering 66,546 seats, linking the state to various regions across Malaysia.” On the international front, Sabah is connected to 17 destinations through 126 weekly flights, with a total capacity of 23,394 seats.”
These figures demonstrate a 28.3% cent increase compared to the same period last year, showcasing the state’s recovering tourism industry.
For more information on Sabah, visit: https://sabahtourism.com
– Given the positive economic impact of cruise ship arrivals on Sabah, what measures is the Sabah Tourism Board taking to ensure sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the local community and the environment?
## Sabah Tourism Thrilled by Cruise Ship Arrival, Sees Surge in Visitors
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. We’re diving into the exciting news coming out of Sabah, Malaysia, where tourism is seeing a welcome surge thanks in part to the arrival of major cruise liners like the MS Seven Seas Explorer. Joining us to discuss this positive trend is [Guest Name], a representative from Sabah Tourism.
Welcome to the program.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. We’re thrilled with the recent increase in tourism, particularly the influx of cruise passengers.
**Host:** Absolutely! The Seven Seas Explorer recently docked in Kota Kinabalu, bringing over 667 passengers and a sizable crew. This must be a significant boost for the local economy and tourism sector.
**Guest:** It certainly is. Cruise ship arrivals like this bring a direct economic benefit to Sabah. Not only do passengers spend money on local goods and services during shore excursions, but the crew members also contribute to the local economy. The Sabah Tourism Board works closely with cruise lines and local businesses to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved, ultimately benefiting both the tourists and the community. [[1]
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**Host:** That sounds like a fantastic collaboration. Can you tell our listeners a bit about what the Seven Seas Explorer’s itinerary included in Sabah?
**Guest:** This particular cruise ship offered passengers the opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of Borneo Island, with stops planned in Sabah. I know many passengers enjoyed visiting Kinabalu National Park, experiencing the diverse wildlife, and immersing themselves in the local culture.
**Host:**
That’s wonderful. Sabah is truly a gem for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts. We’ve seen photos of traditional welcomes for the passengers. What role does cultural exchange play in Sabah’s tourism strategy?
**Guest:** Cultural exchange is incredibly important to us. We want visitors to experience the warmth and hospitality of Sabahans, learn about their traditions, and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of our state. It’s all part of offering a complete and authentic travel experience.
**Host:**
Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today, [Guest name]. We wish Sabah continued success in its tourism endeavors.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.