Politics · Malaysia Bureau
High airfares threaten Sabah's Visit 2027 tourism campaign, warns industry veteran
A former tourism industry leader has cautioned that escalating flight costs could undermine Sabah's ambitious tourism initiative scheduled for 2027. He is calling on the state government to explore targeted support measures to keep travel affordable for visitors.
LSN Malaysia ·
KOTA KINABALU — Rising airfares pose a significant risk to the success of Visit Sabah 2027, according to a former chief of the Malaysian Association of Hotels and Tourism (Matta) in the state.
The tourism professional warned that elevated ticket prices could deter both domestic and international travellers from visiting the East Malaysian state during the campaign year. As Sabah seeks to boost visitor arrivals and economic returns from the tourism sector, affordability of travel remains a critical factor in attracting holidaymakers.
To mitigate this challenge, the state government should explore various intervention strategies, the industry veteran suggested. These could include targeted subsidies, incentive schemes, or partnerships with airlines to secure competitive fares during the Visit Sabah 2027 promotional period.
The initiative represents a major opportunity for Sabah to showcase its natural attractions and cultural heritage on the global stage. However, stakeholders warn that success will depend on ensuring travel to the state remains accessible to the broadest possible audience.