Ministry targeting to attract more tourists to Sabah

KOTA KINABALU (July 15): The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is committed to targeting more domestic and international tourists to visit Sabah, said its minister, Datuk Christina Liew.

Liew said this when officiating the Craft Exotica Program held in conjunction with the Sabah Museum Day 2024 celebration here today.

She said that the significant increase in the tourism industry last year proved that Sabah in one of the top destinations from within and outside the country, adding that this in turn provided good development for the state’s economic generation.

“The natural beauty, diversity of flora and fauna and unique culture are the main attractions of Sabah’s tourism industry. The cultural diversity in Sabah also showcases various creative handicrafts and cultural arts of the multi-ethnic communities in Sabah,” she said.

According to Liew, the Craft Exotica program organised by the state Museum Department is one of the programs that promotes and elevates the handicraft industry in Sabah to remain sustainable and competitive globally.

This, she said, will directly contribute to the economic growth of the state through collaboration between entrepreneurs, government agencies and private sectors at the international level.

Various interesting activities will be held throughout the program from July 13 to 21 including handicraft making exhibitions, handicraft seminars, cultural performances and traditional games of the communities in Sabah.

The program, Liew pointed out, would expose the importance of creative handicraft arts to various layers of society thus preserving the culture for the younger generation so that it does not disappear over time but can keep pace with the development of modern and current digital technology.

“It is hoped that this program will be able to provide opportunities for local small entrepreneuers to generate income and elevate the handicraft industry in Sabah,” Liew said.

-Admin