New tourism projects to ease Semporna congestion
KOTA KINABALU (June 6): The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has proposed two major projects aimed at retaining tourists in Tawau.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, said one of the projects is the Tawau Tourism Jetty which will allow ferries to transport tourists between Tawau and Semporna on a fixed schedule. This initiative aims to encourage tourists to stay overnight in Tawau while easing congestion in Semporna.
Christina noted that Semporna, a favorite destination among Chinese tourists, is facing congestion due to its popularity for diving. The long travel distance from Tawau Airport to Semporna has also led to traffic accidents.
The other project is the development of Tawau Hill Park which will see the construction of chalets, guided tours and a Pangolin Research Centre to attract eco-tourists and provide overnight options in Tawau.
The project is expected to begin by year-end.
The Floating Club House at Gaya Island.
In addition, Christina said Sandakan will also be promoted, with funding allocated for wildlife sanctuaries such as the elephant sanctuary to ensure balanced tourism development.
'Sandakan's wildlife attractions cater to a different segment of tourists, so facility upgrades are necessary,' she said at the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island today.
Christina disclosed that Sabah has recorded 1.18 million visitor arrivals from January to April this year, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
'We are optimistic that tourist arrivals will continue to grow in the coming quarters, especially with improvements in transportation, logistics, food and entertainment,' she said.
Christina expressed confidence that the Sabah Tourism Board's 2025 target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals is achievable.
She highlighted that tourists from China, South Korea, and even France are among those contributing to the growth, with tourism operators investing heavily in new facilities to accommodate the expected increase — particularly from China.
Earlier in her speech, Christina described the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island as a milestone in Sabah's tourism evolution.
'This represents strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to elevate high-value tourism in Sabah,' she said.
She praised Lazy Cat International Travel Service Co. Ltd. for their substantial investment in Sabah's tourism sector, including luxury yacht services, cultural tourism ventures, and marine transportation enhancements via their local subsidiary, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd.
The Floating Club House, uniquely constructed atop the sea, offers sustainable luxury with facilities for dining, leisure, and scenic appreciation — setting a new benchmark for marine-based tourism experiences in the state.
Also present at the launch were Malaysian Tourism Federation President Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd Chairman Ken Pan Ying On, CEO Thonny Chee, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd Director Eric Yong, and Lazy Cat Chairman Zhao Jun.
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