MENUMBOK: The Kuala Penyu state constituency is set to become an international tourism destination with the start of operations at the Club Med Resort Tanjung Aru, expected in September.
Kuala Penyu assemblyman Datuk Limus Jury said the opening of the premium resort would not only raise Sabah’s tourism profile but also generate economic spillover for surrounding areas.
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“Although the project was slightly delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I have been informed by the management that Club Med will begin internal operations in April this year.
“Full operations and the official opening are expected to be officiated by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in September, which will open up major opportunities for Kuala Penyu.
“We expect more than 1,000 job opportunities to be created, directly benefiting local residents,” he said after officiating the Chinese New Year Carnival for the Kuala Penyu constituency here on Friday.
Limus said, apart from further boosting Sabah’s tourism sector, the presence of Club Med as an international brand would also have a positive impact on small and medium enterprises, local tourism operators and supporting industries.
He said Kuala Penyu had long been identified as an area with strong potential for tourism development due to its natural beauty of world-class standard, while remaining an important fishing and fisheries area.
“With the entry of investments such as this resort, we hope more economic opportunities will be created, thereby improving the standard of living of the local community.
“We also hope more external investors will be interested in investing in this area in the future,” he said.
Limus urged local people to seize the employment opportunities that will be offered and to upgrade their skills to meet the needs of an international-standard tourism industry.
The Assistant Minister of Works and Utilities said the implementation of the resort project was also in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) agenda to strengthen Sabah’s economy.
At the same time, he said his office, through the Kuala Penyu Tourism Operators Association (PPPKP), had produced a digital brochure titled Guide to Kuala Penyu as a reference for visitors seeking information on attractive tourism locations in the area.
Meanwhile, PPPKP chairman Tec Cung Hock Long said the digital guide, which also received support from the Sabah Tourism Board, was its second edition following the first publication in 2024.
“The Guide to Kuala Penyu digital brochure caters to the needs of international visitors brought in by the resort and at the same time promotes the attractions in this area,” he said.
