KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is poised to achieve its target of 2.2 million visitors this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"There will be an additional 2,053 rooms available, with seven new hotels coming on line to add to the 685 existing hotels ranging from 5-star to budget hotels or lodges with a 26,822-room capacity in Sabah.
"This development augurs well for the state with statistics showing that Sabah continues to be a sought-after destination among tourists.
"Even as we speak, visitor arrivals continue to show strong growth in 2023, with overall visitor arrivals to Sabah registered at 1.4 million international and domestic arrivals from January to July of this year.
"Going by this figure, Sabah is poised to achieve its target of 2.2 million visitors this year, which is a good sign," he said at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort's 40th anniversary celebrations here tonight.
As of now, there is an estimated tourism receipt of RM2.9 billion for Sabah, he added.
Hajiji said it was encouraging to note that Sabah's average hotel occupancy rate for the past six months this year is 52 per cent.
"I am told on certain days some hotels have reported full occupancy, especially during holidays or when events are being held.
"We are optimistic moving forward in ensuring that resolute measures are taken to ensure we are on our feet and on track to implement our development plan, the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya, in accordance with our aspirations to foster a Sabah that is united, prosperous and inclusive.
"And for that, I need all of you to be on the same page with me and the state government," he said.