Sabah records impressive over 60% growth in Indian visitor arrivals
Home to one of South East Asia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s
Sabah region is keen to accelerate its India growth story.
With the latest arrival figure available now, Sabah has shown robust growth from
the Indian market. Sabah has received 7,249 Indian tourists during the January –
September 2024 period posting a significant jump in arrivals from last year’s
nearly 6,000 Indian visitors for the whole year. The first three quarter growth over
the corresponding period last year is over 60 percent.
With the Indian visitor arrival target set at over 10,000 for 2024, Sabah Tourism
Board (STB) https://travellinkslive.com/sabah-tourism/is also eyeing an ambitious over 60% growth for the current year that it looks well set to meet. The region’s pre-pandemic 2019 Indian visitor arrivals
was also around 6,000 that it recovered last year.
India is projected to grow from 2023’s already strong 27.2 million outbound
market size, to a staggering 50 million outbound travel market by 2030. Sabah is
keen to corner a greater slice of this market.
To further strengthen its presence in India, STB has partnered with Blink Brand
Solutions, in a joint marketing campaign. This collaboration aims to drive targeted
campaigns and increase destination awareness. Speaking about the partnership,
STB CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit expressed optimism about the potential of the
Indian market. “The growth numbers are very encouraging, but we are only
beginning to tap into the enormous potential of the Indian outbound travel
segment,” he said.
Sabah will also showcase its offerings at OTM 2025 Mumbai, which will be held
from 30 January to 1 February. Under the banner of the "North Borneo Pavilion,"
Sabah will be a part of the Tourism Malaysia pavilion, inviting visitors to discover
the unique experiences it offers.
Situated in Malaysian Borneo, Sabah, the undiscovered jewel of Malaysia, is an
ideal destination for Indian travellers seeking pristine beaches, exotic wildlife, and
diverse cultural experiences. Situated on the North of Malaysian Borneo, Sabah
offers an idyllic combination of sun, sand, and sea, alongside a wealth of additional
attractions. Renowned for its pristine beaches, spectacular marine life, iconic
landmarks such as Mount Kinabalu, and rich biodiversity within its rainforests, the
destination is a haven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, wildlife explorers, and
cultural enthusiasts alike.
Indian travellers and travel trade professionals are encouraged to visit Sabah at the
North Borneo Pavilion during OTM 2025 Mumbai to explore what makes the destination special.
