Chinese tourists return to Sabah as direct flights resume

Sabah welcomed its first direct flight from China on March 2, marking the resumption of travel between the two countries since the pandemic.

The AirAsia flight carried 140 passengers from Guangzhou. Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, was on hand to greet them upon their arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Accompanying Bangkuai were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Sr. Mohd Yusrie Abdullah, Chinese Consul General in Kota Kinabalu Huang Shifang, and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) CEO Noredah Othman.

The flight’s arrival was a significant milestone for the state, which had anticipated the arrival of Chinese visitors much earlier this year. Still, the delay in issuing passports to Chinese citizens had pushed back the resumption of flights.

China is an important market for Sabah, and before the pandemic, it was the state’s leading international visitor source. In 2019, 598,566 Chinese visitors came to Sabah, making up 34% of international arrivals. With the resumption of flights, Sabah hopes to see more Chinese tourists in the coming months.

On March 3, AirAsia introduced a second route from Shenzhen, China, to KKIA, further boosting tourism in Sabah. The state has eagerly awaited the return of Chinese tourists, whose absence has significantly impacted the local economy.

The tourism sector contributes to a significant portion of Sabah’s economy, and with the pandemic, it has taken a hit due to the restrictions on travel.

Resuming flights is a much-needed relief for Sabah’s tourism industry, which is grappling with the pandemic’s impact. It is also a sign of the state’s progress in handling the pandemic and providing a safe environment for travellers.

Sabah is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its visitors while providing exceptional hospitality services. Upon arrival, the Chinese visitors had to comply with the health and safety protocols, which included a mandatory quarantine period.

The tourism industry in Sabah expects that the resumption of travel between China and the state will boost the economy and aid in the industry’s recovery from the pandemic’s impact.

Sabah’s tourism industry is optimistic about the future, as more direct flights from several cities in China will resume soon. The state looks forward to welcoming more visitors, including those from other countries, as it strives to rebuild its tourism industry and revive its economy.