Sabah aims for over four million tourist arrivals this year, aligning with Visit Malaysia 2026 and planning a dedicated Visit Sabah Year for 2027 to boost the sector.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is targeting over four million tourist arrivals to the state this year. This goal aligns with the national Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
State Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman announced the target while delivering the state government policy speech. He said the state also plans to organise a “Visit Sabah Year 2027” as a strategic move to drive the sector.
Musa emphasised that enforcement and safety in tourist areas will be a priority. Continuous monitoring will be enhanced to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
Procedures for high-risk tourism activities will also be improved in accordance with international best practices. The speech was attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, tourism development will focus on diversifying new products. It will also increase added value based on local culture and environment.
Efforts to elevate cultural heritage and the creative industry will continue to be strengthened. This includes the restoration and upgrading of infrastructure and developing new exhibition spaces.
Support for local arts, culture and creative industry players will also be provided. “These measures not only support cultural tourism but also position local arts and creativity as unique attractions,” Musa said.
Community development through the tourism sector remains another key focus. The initiatives aim to make tourism a central pillar of the state’s economic growth.
