PRESS RELEASE

SABAH, Malaysian Borneo Eco treasures from Mountain High to Ocean Deep

The State of is located in the heart of South East Asia with direct flights from major cities such as , Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Kunming, Fuzhou, Singapore, , Jakarta by more than 280 flights weekly.

With 32 different indigenous groups in Sabah, the State has long been a cultural potpourri with inhabitants settling on its islands, shores, hills and plains for as long as 5,000 years ago. But that's history. Today Sabah has more than 27,000 rooms in world-class hotels and resorts to bed and breakfast lodges and remote island resorts.

Sabah is known for its virgin rainforest, beautiful idyllic islands and also for the world class Conservation and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Sabah's rich natural heritage is guarded and managed in a number of parks and protected areas throughout the State.

Mount Kinabalu located within Kinabalu Park, ’s First World Heritage Site, and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre are both undoubtedly the flagships of Sabah's nature and wildlife attractions. There are also the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, Danum Valley, Turtle Islands Park, and Tabin Wildlife Reserve that has its own calling. A wide range of primates, birds, reptiles, elephants, turtles and much more can be seen in these locations.

Discover the many exotic islands with their white sandy beaches and hidden treasures, surrounded by pristine waters where rich marine life abounds. Islands in Sabah can also be a 10-minute boat ride from the city such as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

For those whose interest lies in the lives of people, their culture and heritage, visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village or for a more authentic feel, visit the Rungus longhouses in . Venture into limestone caves with its dark twisting passages and discover the expensive commodity of swallow birds’ nests, a delicacy among Chinese people all over the world.

With the new Sabah International Convention Centre completing by 2019-2020 and the presence of World Class Hotels and Resorts complete with traditional Spas and recreational facilities, the State will become another great destination for Incentive, Meetings and Conventions in South East Asia.

We have been very fortunate that Sabah and Malaysia as a whole still remains an oasis of peace in a world of much conflict, hardship and suffering experienced in many countries.

Sabah is a safe destination to travel to and we are pleased that the Malaysian Government have taken the security issue very seriously and will continue to ensure that all Malaysians and visitors alike are safe in the country.

Experience the rich and diverse cultures of a warm and friendly people. From the modern urbanite to the mountainfolk, the coastal fishermen to lowland paddy farmers – these are the people that make up the ingredients of Sabah’s ethnic melting pot. We invite you to celebrate with us and discover more as you explore Sabah’s nature and enjoy the many fine hotels and resorts in and around the cities.

Join us in the colorful, merry and festive events happening throughout the year.

We look forward to welcome you, your friends, clients and family to Sabah.

For more information:

Communications Manager Sabah Tourism Board No. 51, Gaya Street 88000 Sabah, Malaysia

Tel : +6088-212121 Fax : +6088-212075 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.sabahtourism.com

Important Contacts

Sabah Tourism Board NO 51, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel : 60 88 212 121 Fax: 60 88 219 311 Email : [email protected]

Sri Pelancongan Sabah (Subsidiary of STB) Lot 4. Grd Flr, Blk L, Sinsuran Complex, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia Tel : 60 88 232 121 Fax: 60 88 265 540 Email : [email protected]

Sabah Tourist Guide Association (STGA) C/O May Flower Acme Tours S/B Lot 128, 1st Floor, Wisma Sabah 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: 6-088-242990/242831 Fax:6-088-242998 E-mail:[email protected] Website:www.stga.com.my Malaysia Association of Tours & Travel Agent (Sabah Chapter) C/o Diethelm Borneo Expeditions S/B Suite 303, 3rd floor, Uni Asia Bilding, No.1, Jalan Sagunting, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Locked Bag No. 135 88740 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.diethelm-travel.com/borneo Tel: 6088 266 353, 263 353, 222 721. Fax: 6088 260 353

Sabah Hotel Association Menara MAA 6th Floor, Unit 6.15 Jln. Api-Api Centre Tel:6088-251622 Fax:6088-251655 Tourism Malaysia Sabah (MTPB) Lot1-7, Ground Floor, Block I, Lorong Api-Api 1, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Tel: 60 88 248698/211732 Fax: 60 88 241764 email: [email protected] Malaysian Budget Hotels Association KRK’MAI AMAN Kampong Gana, Papar KM.35, Old KK/Papar Road Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel : 60 88 915 273 / 60 88 914 486 Fax : 60 88 256 717 Email : [email protected]

Malaysia 1st flr, MAS Administration Building, Off Jln Petagas, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 88100 Kota Kinabalu. Tel : 60 88 244 811 Admin : 60 88 203 500 Ticketing : 60 88 239 310/297 l

Royal Airlines Lot BG, 3B, Ground Floor Kompleks Kuwasa 88598 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia Tel : 60 88 242 193 Fax : 60 88 242 197

DragonAir Lot CG 01-CG 04, Ground Floor, Block C, Kompleks Kuwasa 88001 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel : 60 88 254 733 / 758 Fax : 60 88 237 300

Sabah Air Sdn Bhd Building, Old Airport Road Locked Bag 113 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia Tel : 60 88 256 733 Fax : 60 88 235 195

AirAsia Airlines Ground floor, Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Old Airport Road, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu. Tel: 6088 538 746/341 Fax: 6088 538 046

Summary Of Direct Domestic Scheduled Flight Frequency & Seat Capacity into Sabah

Domestic Flights Days of Services Destination Airlines Direct From To Weekly Flight Weekly Seat Arrival Departure Kuala Lumpur BKI 61 9,760 Daily Daily BKI Air Asia 105 18,900 Daily Daily BKI 26 4,680 Daily Daily TWU Air Asia 21 3,780 Daily Daily TWU Malaysia Airlines 14 2,240 Daily Daily SDK Malaysia Airlines 7 1,120 Daily Daily SDK Air Asia 21 3,780 Daily Daily Sub-total 255 44,260 Johore Bharu BKI Air Asia 14 2,520 Daily Daily TWU Air Asia 4 720 1,3,5,7 1,3,5,7 BKI Air Asia 11 1,980 Daily Daily Kota Bharu BKI AirAsia 3 540 2,4,6 2,4,6 BKI MASWings 18 1,224 Daily Daily BKI Malaysia Airlines 7 1,120 Daily Daily Air Asia 28 5,040 Daily Daily BKI MASWings 14 952 Daily Daily BKI MASWings 14 952 Daily Daily BKI Air Asia 16 2,880 Daily Daily BKI MASWings 10 680 Daily Daily Sub-total 89 11,624 TOTAL 394 62,868

Flights Within Sabah Days of Services From Kota Kinabalu MASWings 28 1,904 Daily Daily From Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Airlines 15 2,400 Daily Daily MASWings 8 544 Daily Daily Air Asia 31 5,580 Daily Daily MASWings 14 952 Daily Daily Sub-total 68 9,476 From Tawau Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Airlines 8 1,280 Daily Daily MASWings 8 544 Daily Daily Air Asia 35 6,300 Daily Daily Sandakan MASWings 14 952 Daily Daily Sub-total 65 9,076 TOTAL 161 20,456 Source: Respective Airlines / MAB Prepared by Research Division, Sabah Tourism, 13.09.18 Summary Of Direct International Scheduled Flight Frequency & Seat Capacity Into Sabah

Destination : Kota Kinabalu No. Country Airlines Weekly Days of Sevice Flight Seat Arrival Departure 1 Brunei Darussalam Royal Brunei 10 1,440 Daily Daily 2 China 2.1) Hong Kong Air Asia 14 2,520 Daily Daily 2.2) Shenzhen Air Asia 7 1,260 Daily Daily 2.3) Shanghai Malaysia Airlines 2 320 3,6 3,6 Shanghai Airlines 7 1,120 Daily Daily Spring Airlines 7 1,120 Daily Daily 2.4) Guangzhou AirAsia 7 1,260 Daily Daily China Southern Airlines 14 2,128 Daily Daily Malindo Air 3 540 1,3,5 1,3,5 2.5) Hangzhou AirAsia 7 1,260 Daily Daily 2.6) Wuhan AirAsia 7 1,260 Daily Daily 2.7) Fuzhou Xiamen Air 7 1,183 Daily Daily 2.8) Kunming Lucky Air 3 474 1,3,5 1,3,5 2.9) Chengdu Malindo Air 3 540 3,5,7 3,5,7 2.10) Changsha Malindo Air 3 540 4,6,1 3,5,7 SUB TOTAL 91 15,525 3 Jakarta, 2 360 3,7 3,7 4 4.1) Manila Cebu Pacific 3 540 1,3,5 2,4,6 Air Asia 4 720 2,3,5,7 2,3,5,7 SUB TOTAL 7 1,260 5 Tokyo Narita, Japan Malaysia Airlines 2 320 1,4 1,4 6 Perth, Australia Malaysia Airlines 1 160 7 7 7 Singapore Silk Air 7 994 Daily Daily Air Asia eff. 01.08.18 14 2,520 Daily Daily Malindo Air eff. 10.08.18 7 1,260 Daily Daily SUB TOTAL 28 4,774 8 South Korea 8.1) Seoul Air Seoul 7 1,239 Daily Daily Jin Air 7 1,323 Daily Daily Eastar Jet 7 1,323 Daily Daily Jeju Air 7 1,302 Daily Daily 8.2) Busan Eastar Jet 7 1,323 Daily Daily SUB TOTAL 35 6,510 9 Taiwan Taipei Malaysia Airlines 7 1,120 Daily Daily Air Asia 7 1,260 Daily Daily SUB TOTAL 14 2,380 10 Bangkok, Thailand Air Asia eff. 16.08.18 3 540 2,4,6 2,4,6 Destination : Tawau 11 Maswings 3 204 1,4,6 1,4,6

GRAND TOTAL 196 33,473 Source : Respectives Airlines Prepared By Research Division, Sabah Tourism Sabah : Visitors Arrival by Nationality 2018 (Preliminary) 2017 Naonality Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Jan-Aug (a) Aug(b) Jan-Dec ASIA 107,480 117,815 102,361 94,050 89,383 98,639 110,729 111,430 831,887 719,053 108,611 1,097,289 Southeast Asia 19,530 18,317 19,980 19,023 15,179 20,966 17,305 17,828 148,128 168,676 19,535 271,261 Brunei 5,401 4,495 5,913 4,697 2,168 5,754 2,065 3,793 34,286 52,636 5,282 94,797 Philippines 2,181 2,729 2,822 3,250 3,446 3,036 2,456 2,738 22,658 21,120 2,194 32,159 Indonesia 9,968 8,601 8,630 8,626 7,339 9,822 10,248 8,544 71,778 75,412 9,684 115,105 Singapore 1,619 1,942 2,072 1,845 1,735 2,034 2,088 2,410 15,745 15,173 1,932 23,016 Thailand 293 438 437 494 355 253 330 257 2,857 3,545 373 4,915 Vietnam 68 112 106 111 136 67 118 86 804 790 70 1,269 Northeast Asia 87,950 99,498 82,381 75,027 74,204 77,673 93,424 93,602 683,759 550,377 89,076 826,028 China 48,004 65,292 48,914 45,603 46,687 45,603 58,325 59,146 417,574 296,441 46,386 431,026 Japan 1,449 1,457 1,684 1,509 1,344 661 1,357 2,994 12,455 15,073 3,289 22,079 Taiwan 4,335 5,005 4,493 4,349 3,735 4,333 4,667 3,941 34,858 41,968 6,006 62,121 South Korea 34,162 27,744 27,290 23,566 22,438 27,076 29,075 27,521 218,872 196,895 33,395 310,802 OCEANIA 3,351 1,360 1,630 4,069 1,387 1,467 2,169 1,301 16,734 18,027 1,341 27,401 Australia 2,991 1,194 1,379 3,693 1,264 1,275 1,846 1,159 14,801 15,720 1,137 24,010 New Zealand 360 166 251 376 123 192 323 142 1,933 2,307 204 3,391 EUROPE 6,025 6,015 6,847 6,120 4,564 3,994 7,725 6,293 47,583 49,533 7,377 69,874 UK & Ireland 2,905 2,709 2,671 2,816 2,096 2,020 3,621 2,378 21,216 22,382 3,144 31,793 Germany 381 560 1,320 829 542 298 467 557 4,954 4,906 664 6,701 France 312 393 343 452 366 373 572 603 3,414 3,807 612 5,339 Denmark 162 286 208 165 143 127 544 151 1,786 2,096 173 2,632 Finland 122 70 49 29 24 17 22 19 352 312 13 540 Norway 61 220 63 43 22 39 97 24 569 414 29 582 Sweden 227 329 305 194 107 118 143 74 1,497 1,650 65 2,522 Belgium & Luxembourg 50 77 144 140 90 74 222 126 923 959 145 1,265 Italy 155 170 185 173 104 110 195 662 1,754 1,767 833 2,362 Switzerland 143 180 316 229 146 89 215 122 1,440 1,105 118 1,655 Netherlands 259 243 282 263 327 233 730 591 2,928 3,329 605 4,574 Russia 446 150 175 154 113 81 93 68 1,280 1,487 111 2,234 Others Europe 802 628 786 633 484 415 804 918 5,470 5,319 865 7,675 NORTH AMERICA 3,498 1,966 2,115 2,154 1,188 1,272 1,283 1,091 14,567 12,192 1,027 18,211 U.S.A 2,584 1,397 1,487 1,615 875 1,022 1,001 843 10,824 8,618 725 12,731 Canada 914 569 628 539 313 250 282 248 3,743 3,574 302 5,480 INDIA 443 370 469 562 517 487 448 467 3,763 4,284 461 6,196 PAKISTAN 152 111 98 129 111 115 112 114 942 910 89 1,450 MIDDLE EAST 110 122 124 121 79 204 166 195 1,121 1,128 149 1,588 OTHERS 1,061 806 883 976 847 786 854 714 6,927 6,447 735 13,169 Total Internaonal 122,120 128,565 114,527 108,181 98,076 106,964 123,486 121,605 923,524 811,574 119,790 1,235,178 Total Malaysian 190,122 177,401 214,886 200,646 185,995 244,468 205,673 219,493 1,638,684 1,620,447 202,257 2,449,556 GRAND TOTAL (GROSS) 312,242 305,966 329,413 308,827 284,071 351,432 329,159 341,098 2,562,208 2,432,021 322,047 3,684,734 Total Philippines Travel by Air 1,834 1,611 1,732 1,946 2,089 1,985 1,593 1,762 14,552 13,040 1,506 19,859 Total Indonesia Travel by Air 1,277 1,022 1,184 1,081 1,194 1,297 1,271 1,053 9,379 13,819 1,724 20,326 Total Int (Discounng P & I) 109,971 117,235 103,075 96,305 87,291 94,106 110,782 110,323 829,088 715,042 107,912 1,087,914 Total Internaonal (Ne) 113,082 119,868 105,991 99,332 90,574 97,388 113,646 113,138 853,019 741,901 111,142 1,128,099 GRAND TOTAL (NETT) 303,204 297,269 320,877 299,978 276,569 341,856 319,319 332,631 2,491,703 2,362,348 313,399 3,577,655 Source: MAB, Sabah / Immigraon Dept, Sabah/Respecves Airlines Note: 1. Malaysian arrivals is based on movements within Malaysia. Prepared By Research Division For Sabah Tourism