Big boost to Sabah tourism

KOTA KINABALU: The newly launched Zest Airways Manila-Kota Kinabalu route will help to boost tourist arrivals in Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Manila director Fazdila Mansor said the initiative was aimed at attracting more tourists from the Philippines.

“It comes at a perfect time since we will be celebrating the fourth Visit Malaysia Year in 2014. This year is the programme’s promotional campaign period,” she said in a press statement.

Last year, the country welcomed 508,744 Filipino tourists, 40.5 per cent more than the 362,101 tourists in 2011.

In Sabah, Filipino tourist numbers have increased from 50,195 in 2011 to 71,404 last year.

Passengers on the inaugural flight included travel bloggers and guests, including celebrity singer and songwriter Jim Paredes from the Philippines.

Present was Sabah Tourism Board chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin Mahmood.

Zest, which is the sister airline of Airasia Philippines, flies here four times weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Source: New Straits Times