Masidi sees Indonesia becoming major tourism rival
Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said foreigners are still confident in the State’s tourism industry despite several negative incidents which hit the State last year.
He said the opening of the first Malaysian branch of Hana Tour Service, one of the largest Korean tour companies here, shows that Koreans were doing well in the State and more importantly that they were confident in the State’s tourism industry.
“Last year has been a very challenging year for us in Sabah, there were many events beyond our control. The Chinese market collapsed but the Korean market actually grew by 16.8 per cent by October last year. This is a good indicator that Koreans continue to have trust in the State’s tourism industry,” he said, during Hana Tour’s grand branch opening at Pacific Sutera, Thursday.
He said this year the State Government’s approach would be cautious despite confidence the industry would do better. “We look at the international market and it’s not exactly rosy. The economy in most countries is not doing too well. Europe for instance is still in the midst of recovery.
“Even in America there is slow growth due to the recession which has continued to plague that country and even in China the expected economic growth has mellowed down. This year, China’s growth is expected to be only 7.6 per cent after many years of double digit growth.
“With that in mind while we are confident that the State’s tourism industry will do better this year at the same time we are very cautious,” he said, thanking the industry players who have worked hard hand in hand with the State government.
Now the industry is becoming very competitive because customers have more destinations to choose. “I believe Indonesia will be a major competitor for Malaysia in the future in terms of tourism and likewise for the Philippines on the assumption that the problems in Southern Philippines are solved.
“Currently we have three airlines that serve Sabah namely Asiana Airlines, Jin Air and Eastarjet. I am happy to announce that Asiana have started direct flights between Busan and Kota Kinabalu.
“The State Government will continue to develop and improve new tourism products and facilities to ensure sustainable tourism and maintain Sabah’s position as a key tourist destination.”
Also present was Hana Tour Executive Managing Director Kim Jin Kook, Hana Tour Director of Southeast Asia Division 2 Lee Dong Han, Hana Tour Malaysia Tour Planning Team/Southeast Asia Division Lee Hee Hyoung and Hana Tour Kota Kinabalu Office Branch manager Kim Yu Ah.
Source : Daily Express
