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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah records 26.8pc rise in French visitors
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji (right) and Eldeen during the courtesy call. Kota Kinabalu: The security level along Sabah's east coast remains at the highest level, with no untoward incidents reported over the past few years, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He gave this assurance to Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, who paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Menara Kinabalu, Tuesday. During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his delight at hearing that Sabah continues to be a key destination for French visitors, ranking third in terms of European arrivals to the State, after the United Kingdom and Germany. The number of French visitors in the first quarter this year recorded an increase of 26.8 per cent, reaching 2,116 compared to 1,669 during the same period last year – and the number continues to grow. Hajiji is confident that continuous, more proactive and aggressive promotional efforts will help boost the number of French arrivals to Sabah. Eldeen, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, was appointed as Malaysia Ambassador to France in April 2024. He has held various important positions, including serving as Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia. Hajiji and Eldeen discussed a range of strategic cooperation opportunities between Sabah and France, including in the tourism sector, which would bring mutual benefits to the people of the State. Also present were State Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB); STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit; Tourism Malaysia Director of International Promotion (Americas, Europe and Oceania), Akbal Setia; and Tourism Malaysia Paris Director Zalina Ahmad. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sabah sees rise in French tourist arrivals, says state minister
Visiting French agents join in the fun as they take part in traditional Sabah dances during a cultural evening on the beach.-Photo courtesy of Sabah Tourism Board KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is experiencing a steady increase in French tourist arrivals, with 2,116 visitors from France recorded in the first four months of this year, up from 1,669 in the same period last year. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the growing interest from France reflects Sabah's increasing appeal among European travellers seeking culture, adventure, and nature. "In 2023, we recorded 5,921 French arrivals, and we want to see this grow as Sabah is finding its place in the hearts of French and European travellers," said Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board. He spoke during a dinner and sunset cruise hosted by the board on Tuesday (June 3) for a delegation of French travel agents who concluded their three-day familiarisation trip to Sabah on Wednesday (June 4). The group explored Gaya Island's jungle trails, experienced local culture at Mari Mari Cultural Village, and attended cultural performances, which many described as enriching and memorable. "Sabah is on the right path," said Andreas Gantenbein, Managing Director of AERTiCKET for Belgium, France, and Switzerland. "This trip gave us a good introduction to what Sabah can offer. We appreciated the hospitality and the effort to share the local culture with us." Malaysia's Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini, who accompanied the group, said their response reaffirmed Sabah's potential as a prime destination for French tourists. "Sabah has what it takes to attract more French travellers, and the embassy in Paris will continue to support efforts to promote Sabah, especially in highlighting its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders," he said. Joniston said safety remains a top priority, particularly for first-time visitors. "Our security presence, especially on the east coast, is not because it's unsafe, but to ensure it stays safe. This is how we protect our people, our visitors, and the places they come to see," he said. He also highlighted the Sail Malaysia Borneo event as a unique way for international visitors, including the French, to experience Sabah. Over 30 yachts from more than 15 countries are expected to join the rally between July and September this year. "Sail Malaysia offers a different perspective of Sabah from the sea and allows participants to explore both coastal and inland destinations," he added. Also present were Tourism Malaysia Director of the International Promotion Division (AERO) Akbal Setia, Tourism Malaysia Paris Director Zalina Ahmad, and Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
CM: Security on Sabah's east coast at the highest level
Hajiji (second right) receives a memento from Dr Eldeen. KOTA KINABALU (June 3): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has given assurance that the security level on Sabah's east coast remains at its highest, with no untoward incidents occurring in recent years. He made this statement during a courtesy visit by Malaysia's Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Chief Minister also expressed his delight in hearing that Sabah continues to be a key destination for French visitors, ranking third in European tourist arrivals to Sabah, after the United Kingdom and Germany. French tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year recorded a 26.8 percent increase to 2,116 visitors compared to 1,669 in the same period last year, and the number continues to rise. Hajiji is confident that continued, more proactive and aggressive promotional efforts will certainly help to further increase the arrival of French visitors to Sabah. Eldeen Husaini, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, was appointed as Malaysia's Ambassador to France in April 2024. He has previously held various important positions, including Malaysia's Ambassador to Cambodia. Hajiji and Eldeen discussed a range of strategic cooperation opportunities between Sabah and France, including in the field of tourism, which will bring mutual benefits to the people of the state. Also present were Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, director of International Promotion (Americas, Europe, Oceania) at Tourism Malaysia, Akbal Setia, and director of Tourism Malaysia Paris, Zalina Ahmad.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
No untoward incidents reported in Sabah's east coast in recent years, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Security in Sabah's east coast remains at the highest level, with no untoward incidents reported in recent years, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The Chief Minister gave the assurance during a courtesy call by Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Tuesday (June 3). During the meeting, Hajiji also welcomed the rise in French tourist arrivals to Sabah, noting that France is now the third-highest source of European visitors to the state, after Britain and Germany. 'French arrivals in the first quarter of this year saw a 26.8% increase, reaching 2,116 visitors compared to 1,669 in the same period last year — and the number continues to grow,' he said in a statement. Hajiji expressed confidence that proactive and aggressive promotion efforts would further boost French tourism to Sabah. He and Eldeen also discussed strategic collaboration opportunities between Sabah and France, particularly in tourism, which they said would benefit the state and its people. Eldeen, a Kuala Lumpur native, was appointed Ambassador to France in April 2024 and has held various key positions, including as Malaysia's envoy to Cambodia. Also present were state Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Tourism Malaysia international promotions director Akbal Setia and Tourism Malaysia Paris director Zalina Ahmad. To date, several countries — including the US, Britain, Canada and Australia — continue to maintain travel advisories cautioning against visiting eastern Sabah, particularly coastal and island areas, due to concerns over potential kidnappings and security risks.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Paying their last respects
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji (second right) paying his last respects. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor joined family and friends on Sunday to pay his respects to late Rose Chin, the mother of Chris Maskilone, Senior Press Officer at the Chief Minister's Department. Rose passed away peacefully at her home in Kampung Likas on Saturday. She was 75. Chris was formerly the Daily Express Chief Reporter. Among those present at the funeral parlour were Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who was accompanied by his wife Datuk Lucy Irene Yong, who holds the position of media and communications director at the Sabah Chief Minister's office, Media Advisor Officer to the Chief Minister Alex Ong and Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association Chairman Jimmy Goh. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
