Sabah tourism created 380,000 jobs: Hajiji
Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025
By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Liew officiates the event while others look on. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reaffirmed that tourism remains a key economic driver for Sabah, underscoring its role in job creation, rural empowerment and sustainable development. 'In 2023, the sector contributed RM13.1 billion to Sabah's economy and supported more than 380,000 jobs across various sectors,' he said, when launching the Asean Travel Exchange (Atex) 2025, here, Thursday. His speech was delivered by State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
Advertisement Hajiji also praised the growth of community-based tourism, particularly in rural districts where local villagers curate authentic Sabahan experiences. 'In 2024 alone, this sector generated RM7 million in revenue from 18 active districts,' he said and reiterated the State Government's commitment to supporting the sector through infrastructure development and digital enhancement. 'We are upgrading Kota Kinabalu International Airport, improving road access to rural destinations, and expanding digital platforms to manage and promote tourism more effectively,' he said. Hajiji said Sabah is on track to build a future-ready, resilient tourism economy driven by sustainability, technology and cultural identity.
Advertisement 'Our vision is for Sabah to be a peace hub, a place where development goes hand in hand with conservation, heritage, and harmony.' He said Atex 2025 marks a turning point for Sabah, serving not only as a platform to showcase the state but also to position it as a strategic partner in shaping the future of Asean tourism. It was organised by the Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta), Federation of Asean Travel Associations (Fata), and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) and brought together over 400 delegates, including more than 200 international buyers from 15 countries and is seen as a strategic platform to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and business linkages. Atex 2025 is the first tourism trade platform led by the private sector under the Asean umbrella. Meanwhile, Sabah is confident of reaching its target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals this year, said Liew. Liew revealed that over one million tourists had already visited Sabah between January and April 2025, generating RM1 billion in tourism revenue. This marks an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. She said the strong start to the year reflects growing interest in Sabah as a destination, which is further supported by the confidence shown by Asean partners through their participation in Atex 2025. 'This is the first time all 10 Asean countries are represented in a tourism event hosted in Sabah, with around 500 delegates attending. 'It's a wonderful programme and a clear sign of the trust and confidence Asean countries have in Sabah,' she said. Liew also stressed that Sabah's strategic location in the heart of Asean positions it as a natural gateway for connectivity and collaboration within the region. 'Sabah is ideally located and increasingly serves as a bridge between regional travel markets. 'I believe this event will lead to stronger ties and more cooperation that will benefit Sabah's tourism sector,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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