Kota Kinabalu: Star Cruises' choice in making KK a homeport for the winter season of its Superstar Aquarius fits well with the need for additional tourist arrivals through other means of transport, said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.
"About 90 per cent of tourist influx arrive here is via plane. Illustrating that connectivity is important to keep a continuous flow of tourists coming into the state," Masidi said, at the Inaugural Cruise Ceremony, here.
He welcomed Star Cruises for bringing in a much broader crowd into the state and complementing the current 87 per cent increase in North Asian tourists going by statistics compiled in the first nine months.
"This includes those from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea."
In fact, this is phenomenal as by the end of this year, he expects and believes the percentage of tourist arrivals to increase.
"It's an all time high record of guests from outside of Sabah."
"A double digit growth can be seen this year in terms of international tourists arrivals, added Masidi who compared this with last year's statistics.
On security, he assured that the Malaysian Royal Navy would spare no effort to ensure passengers safety.
Masidi said the beauty of Sabah lies in the people because the tourist destinations that we have already exist in one form or another in other states in Malaysia or even other countries in the world.
Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Adding to the tourist surge for Sabah
..
