Sabah sees rise in Chinese tourist arrivals as air connectivity expands
KOTA KINABALU: Chinese tourist arrivals to Sabah rose 25.5 per cent in the first seven months of this year, with 484,699 arrivals recorded between January and July, said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
KOTA KINABALU - Chinese tourist arrivals to Sabah surged by 25.5 percent during the first seven months of the year, reaching a total of 484,699 visitors from January to July, according to Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin. This marked a significant increase from 386,217 arrivals during the same period last year, as reported at the Sabah B2B Roadshow in Fuzhou today.
The minister emphasized that the growth in Chinese tourist numbers underscores the continued allure of Sabah among Chinese travelers and underscores the need to bolster connectivity with China. He mentioned that Xiamen Airlines will reintroduce its direct service from Xiamen to Kota Kinabalu on September 23, 2026, complementing the existing Fuzhou-Kota Kinabalu route.
This development will result in seven direct flights per week from Fujian province, four operated by Xiamen Airlines and three by Fuzhou Airlines, making Sabah more accessible to travelers from Fujian and surrounding areas.
Ariffin highlighted Sabah's appeal to Chinese tourists, noting its picturesque beaches, lush rainforests, the hospitality of its people, and rich cultural traditions. The B2B Roadshow was organized jointly by the Sabah chapter of the Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), Xiamen Airlines, and the Sabah Tourism Board.
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