Bigger incentive groups eyeing Sabah – STB
KOTA KINABALU: The demand for larger meeting venues is greater now that bigger incentive groups are eyeing Sabah for their annual trips, said Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani, General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board.
Sabah recently welcomed more than 700 delegates from Herbalife China, she said.
“For the first time, global multi-level marketing group Herbalife (China) chose Sabah as their incentive destination this year. They were driven by the preference for beaches and cultural elements.
“The delegates who came from various parts of China ended their five-day four-night incentive tour to Kota Kinabalu after visiting the Manukan Island, cultural village, river cruising and rafting activity in Kiulu,” she added.
Suzaini said last year, Sabah received two large groups from China of at least 2,000 pax each that spread out to several hotels in the state capital.
“Until June this year, Sabah is expected to host an additional 1,500 delegates from China and at least 500 business delegates from Korea and Malaysia.”
Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCeb), Datuk Zulkefli Sharif disclosed that incentive groups had contributed over RM3.4 billion of estimated economic impact to the country¡¦s economy since 2011.
¡§With the completion of the SICC this year, we are ready to welcome bigger incentive groups up to 5,000 pax to Sabah. In the past three years, MICE business brought in an average of RM125 million per year into Sabah. Looking forward, we will be targeting incentive groups from China because of the many large corporations located there,¡¨ said Suzaini.
“China has been the top market source for tourism in Sabah since 2011. In the single month of February 2018, China market recorded a growth of 84.9%. A total of 431,026 Chinese visitors for the year of 2017 or an increase of 15% compared to 2016,” she said.
Suzaini said new flights connecting China to Kota Kinabalu had been introduced every year.
“There are now a total of 91 scheduled flights from China weekly,” according to Sabah Tourism.
Source: The Borneo Post
