KOTA KINABALU: The rapid growth of Kota Kinabalu as a tourism destination underlines the need to create new tourism products to meet the changing demands of visitors from all over the world, said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
“More tourists are coming to Kota Kinabalu. The best way to support this growth is by developing innovative, creative tourism products and attractions within the city for visitors on short trips to KK (Kota Kinabalu),” he said on Wednesday while speaking at the launching of the UMS-EcoCampus Visitor Information Centre (UMS-EVIC) on the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus here.
Calling the new UMS-EVIC as a step in the right direction, Masidi commended UMS for leading by example in developing the one-stop centre for tourists to enjoy the numerous natural attractions the campus has to offer, all conveniently located right within the city.
“Apart from being a centre for academic excellence, UMS –one of Malaysia’s largest and most beautiful universities – has taken the bold decision to promote the campus which has one of the last remaining forests and pristine beaches untouched by development,” he said and assured the ministry will support in promoting UMS as a tourist destination.
Masidi said Kota Kinabalu is fast-becoming a popular destination for tourists which also saw a 50 per cent increase in the arrival of Chinese tourists as of May, compared to the same period last year.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in the country, serving 154 international flights per week and connected to 16 international destinations.
Meanwhile, UMS vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Harun Abdullah said the opening of the new centre underlined the university’s commitment to develop a dedicated facility for its EcoCampus activities.
“This is a two-tier significant achievement; the centre is a gateway to UMS EcoCampus activities, welcoming visitors to observe, interpret and appreciate nature, and at the same time marvel at architectural heritage, visiting galleries and participate in environmental education,” he told over 100 guests who witnessed the launching of the new centre.
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