Investment Opportunities: Tourism
Investment in Tourism
Sabah presents a plethora of investment prospects in tourism, spanning from pristine beaches to majestic mountains and lush rainforests. With a burgeoning tourism market, the state provides abundant opportunities for investment across diverse activities and sectors within the industry.
Sabah has positioned itself as a sought-after destination for culture, adventure,
and nature, aiming to capture a larger share of the global meetings, incentives,
conferences, and exhibitions market.
Being centrally located in Southeast Asia,
Sabah is well-connected for a swift recovery and growth in the tourism industry
post-pandemic. Recognizing tourism as a key driver of inclusive economic
growth, the state plans to prioritize it and explore sustainable, high-yield
propositions. Future plans include creating a homegrown “Platinum Coast,”
comparable to Bali’s “NUSA DUA” and Australia’s “GOLD COAST,” through
innovative infrastructure development, making it an attractive investment option
for all stakeholders.
Our Statistics
By 2019, visitor arrivals in Sabah reached 4.2 million, surpassing the targeted 4.1 million
visitors set for 2020. This achievement is attributed to Sabah’s natural assets and was
primarily facilitated by affordable regional air travel. The state is conveniently accessible
within six hours from major East Asian cities, served by 216 international flights per
week from 20 cities, including 11 from China and three from South Korea. Additionally,
there are 447 domestic flights per week from nine cities across Malaysia.
Reasons to Invest:
UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN
Alongside Jeju Island & Shennongjia
216 International Flights
per week from 20 cities
4,095 METERS
Home to the the highest peak in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu
4.5 mil
Visitor arrivals in 2023
Diving Heaven
Sipadan Island is listed as one of the best dive sites in the world
447 domestic Flights
per week from 9 cities
Initiatives:
Sabah Gold Coast Enclave
Create a world-class coastal tourism destination from Tuaran to Kudat complete with investment properties
Borneo's marine Paradise
Attract high-value tourists through sustainable island tourism offerings that protect the marine ecology
Sabah Premium Eco-Adventure
Position Sabah's natural assets as premium eco-adventure destinations with managed carrying capacities and local community engagement
Investment Opportunities
Sabah's Enriched Biodiversity
Preserved and protected by conservation and sustainable development, Sabah offers lush rainforests, vibrant coral reefs, and a rich collection of flora and fauna. This enriched biodiversity positions the state as a premier eco-adventure and relaxation destination. Current promotions and service providers are operating on a relatively small scale, suggesting opportunities for development and growth.
Hotels & Resorts
Various international hotel and resort groups have established a presence in Sabah, yet there is still much capacity to be serviced. Additionally, with most of these brands based in Kota Kinabalu, demand for hospitality service providers is especially strong outside the state capital including along the Eastern coast of Sabah, known for its diving and wildlife activities. This is reflected in the number of hotels available in Kota Kinabalu (205 hotels), in comparison with the next highest district (Sandakan, 82 hotels).
Special Tourism Investment Zone (STIZ)
The Special Tourism Investment Zone (STIZ) introduced through the National Tourism Policy 2020–2030 aims to boost the development of the tourism sector by encouraging more private investment and public-private partnerships through incentives. The STIZ in Sabah covers an area encompassing Tuaran–Kota Belud.
Ready to invest? Talk to our team today.
We provide assistance to facilitate your business.
