Liew wants to create more tourism hotspots in Sabah.

KOTA KINABALU: Newly-appointed Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew wants to create hotspots in focus areas, such as Sandakan and Tawau, that have potential to draw in tourists to further boost the sector.

Liew, who is also Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said such efforts to further boost the growth of the tourism industry in the two districts would also help residents generate income and improve the local economy as well as providing job opportunities.

Citing Tawau as an example, she said the setting up of a visitors’ hotspot would enable Tawau to be not merely a transit location for tourists before proceeding to Semporna.

“Hence, hotspot locations should be created including making Tawau a hub for cheap and fresh seafood to entice tourists to stay there for two or three days before heading elsewhere,” she told reporters after attending the state Cabinet meeting chaired by new Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the State Administrative Centre.

Liew said she would meet with heads of department under her ministry next week to obtain more information on the development of the tourism sector in Sabah.

On another note, Liew, who is also Api Api assemblyman and Tawau MP, assured the people of Sabah that she would do her best as well as fulfil her manifesto aspirations by being transparent and responsible with the mandate given to her. — Bernama

Source : The Star Online