SANDAKAN: Sandakan and Sukau are being promoted as complementary tourism destinations, combining Sabah’s rich heritage with its stunning natural landscapes to create a powerful dual offering.
Lai King Hang, Founder and Chairman of the Sandakan Heritage Trail, highlighted the growing potential for these two destinations to become key players in attracting nature-based travellers seeking alternatives to traditional, crowded long-haul routes.
Speaking at the Hari Raya Open House hosted by Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Lai pointed out that while the ongoing Gulf crisis has disrupted global travel patterns, it also presents an opportunity for Sabah to reposition itself as a desirable and safe alternative for international tourists.
“Many travellers are rethinking long-haul travel. This is an opportunity for Sabah to promote itself as a destination that offers authenticity, safety and an immersive natural experience without the crowds,” Lai said during the event.
He hoped that the Ministry would take proactive steps to mitigate the crisis’ impact by strengthening outreach efforts, improving connectivity and refining branding strategies to redirect tourist flows to emerging gems like Sandakan and Sukau.
Lai emphasised that when promoted together, Sandakan and Sukau offer a complete Sabah experience that combines cultural heritage and nature-based tourism.
“Sandakan serves as a gateway with its historical richness and cultural significance, highlighted by the Sandakan Heritage Trail, which is attracting more international visitors every year.
“On the other hand, Sukau, located along the Kinabatangan River, offers exceptional wildlife encounters, including sightings of orangutans, pygmy elephants and a wide variety of bird species,” Lai added.
“Together, these destinations represent the true essence of Sabah – where history meets the wilderness.”
Tourism statistics from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) for 2025 indicate that over 50pc of international arrivals, particularly from Europe and Australia, are concentrated in the Sandakan and Sukau regions.
The growing number of foreign visitors along the Sandakan Heritage Trail further underscores the area’s rising appeal as a key tourism hub.
By combining the cultural and wildlife experiences of Sandakan and Sukau, Lai believes that the region can offer a holistic tourism package that encourages longer stays and boosts tourism spending in Sabah.
He stressed that integrating both destinations under a unified branding strategy would enhance the overall visitor experience.
Also present were STAN President Teo Chee Kim and members of the association, further reinforcing the collective push to strengthen Sabah’s position as a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia.
