Tuaran: A comprehensive long-term Sabah Tourism Blueprint being drafted to be completed before the end of the year, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.
It would chart a new course for tourism growth with clear direction, address sustainability and challenges such as aviation connectivity, reflect local aspirations and provide a framework beyond previous master plans.
“With the programmes currently underway, I believe Sabah is on track to achieve the targeted four million visitor arrivals under Visit Malaysia 2026 and to prepare for Visit Sabah 2027,” he said, at the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu Tuaran, Sunday.
Hajiji said Sabah recorded 3.79 million visitors last year, up 20.8 per cent from the previous year, generating RM8.74 billion in revenue and creating nearly 400,000 jobs.
He said Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu formed part of a broader investment commitment estimated at RM500 million, covering the current development and future Hilton projects in the area.
“This will further strengthen investor confidence in the State’s tourism and hospitality sector and is certainly aligned with the State Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen Sabah’s tourism industry,” he said.
He said such developments supported key pillars of Sabah’s tourism growth strategy, including strengthening premium and sustainable accommodation options, creating employment and skills development opportunities for locals, empowering community-based enterprises through the supply chain and promoting environmentally responsible tourism.
Despite external factors affecting the tourism sector, Hajiji said the State Government, through the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, was pursuing sustainability, stronger collaboration between government, industry and communities, as well as digital innovation to build a resilient and high-value tourism industry.
“This approach will balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation,” he said.
He said the presence of the Hilton brand further strengthened Sabah’s position as a preferred tourism destination locally, regionally and internationally.
Hajiji said the opening of Sheraton Kota Kinabalu last month, together with upcoming developments such as Avani, Fairfield by Marriott, Club Med, InterContinental and Wyndham, demonstrated continued confidence in Sabah as a destination for quality investment in tourism and hospitality.
“It is also a testament to the resilience and optimism of our industry partners, even in uncertain times,” he said.
He said the redeveloped Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu was located in his hometown, which continued to show strong growth and possessed significant potential as a tourism hub due to its strategic location and natural attractions.
“Developments like this will complement Tuaran’s existing attractions, encourage more visitor arrivals and benefit surrounding businesses, local entrepreneurs and the wider community,” he said.
Hajiji said the hotel contributed directly to local economic development through job creation, noting that most of its employees were from the Tuaran district.
“Indeed, the Hilton Garden Inn embodies our shared vision of high-value, sustainable tourism that benefits both the economy and our local communities,” he said.
