KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said tourism continues to be Sabah’s main economic driver, contributing more than 380,000 jobs across various sectors.
He said, in a speech delivered by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, that the sector accounted for around 15 per cent of the state’s GDP in 2023, generating RM13.1 billion in revenue.
Community-based tourism alone brought in RM7 million last year from 18 active districts, with more rural initiatives in the pipeline.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The State Government is investing in infrastructure upgrades, including the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and rural access roads, alongside digital platforms to enhance tourism services.
Hajiji said hosting Asean Travel Exchange (Atex) 2025 is a key milestone in positioning Sabah as a regional tourism partner, while also highlighting the sector’s potential for sustainable and inclusive growth.