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EXCELLENT WORK…Musa praising the design of the new wing accompanied by Razak (left), Kay, Masidi and Hajiji
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13th February, 2008
TUARAN: The average occupancy rate of hotels in Sabah stands above the national occupancy rate for the first half of last year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the rate for three and five star hotels was at 72 percent, which was 10 percent higher than the national rate of 62 percent.
He said this was the fruit of strong promotion by the state government and private tourism players to sell Sabah’s unique destinations overseas and within the country.
“I am glad to note that the government’s commitment to boost tourism by allocating funds for better infrastructure, such as the extension of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and construction of the Low Cost Carrier Terminal, is being matched by the private sector through the investment in new and innovative products.
“In the same period, Sabah created 402 new rooms to meet rising demand from international and local travellers,” he added.
Musa said the private sector was investing in building more hotels, especially in Kota Kinabalu which is the gateway to Sabah’s wonders. New hotels are also coming up in other parts of the state including in Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna, he noted.
It has been projected that tourist arrivals to Malaysia will reach over 24 million by 2010 and generate receipts of more than RM59 million and will provide 520,700 jobs, Musa said.
“With better air accessibility and the boom of budget airlines in the region to encourage more people to travel, tourism players in the state will gain from these projected figures.”
The Chief Minister encouraged tourism players in the state to be responsive to the needs of visitors and to evaluate feedback that they gave so that they could truly put Sabah on the world tourist map.
“Take note of negative responses and find ways to resolve the issues and make use of positive feedback to build on our existing strengths,” he urged when opening the new Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort Ocean Wing here yesterday.
He was confident that the resort which began its operation in 1996 would continue to uphold its five-star quality services.
Its establishment had put Tuaran on the world map as a destination that should not be missed, with its majestic view of Mount Kinabalu and range of activities including a world class golf course, he said.
Musa said the resort was a home to a 64-acre nature reserve that housed endangered species including Orang Utan as part of a rehabilitation program with Sepilok centre.
“This is in line with Sabah’s efforts to position itself as a premier eco-adventure destination through conservation and sustainable development of tourism products anchored by signature resorts as pledged through the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) blueprint.
“I am also glad to note that this resort provides job opportunities to many locals from Tuaran building their capacities in a range of professional and support roles.”
He reiterated the importance of coming up with new and innovative products to boost the tourism industry, such as the new Ocean Wing.
“Sabah already has tourism hardware and the software it needs such as this resort and its new RM55 million Ocean Wing, will bring our tourism industry to new heights.”
Speaking earlier, Shangri-La Hotels Malaysia Berhad chairman Tan Sri A Razak Ramli said the resort took centre stage in the design, landscape and special features of the new building.
“The five-storey Ocean Wing offers 90 sea-facing premier guestrooms and are amongst the most spacious in the region,” he said.
He said it took locally inspired ornamentation and earth colours reflecting Sabah’s natural environment, yet were equipped with a full array of modern amenities.
Also present were Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, who is also the Sulaman assemblyman and the hotel group managing director Kay Kuok.
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