SANDAKAN: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) vice president Chong Thien Ming has called for better air connectivity and a long-term tourism blueprint to unlock Sandakan’s economic potential.
Referring to the statement by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Chong said direct flights to Sandakan were crucial to attracting more visitors, stimulating business activities and revitalising the local economy. He said the town could build on its strengths in ecotourism, historical heritage and food tourism to create new growth opportunities amid challenges facing its traditional industries.
Chong noted that Sandakan’s reputation for fresh seafood had attracted tourists from Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s, and said the town should revive this appeal through stronger promotion of its local cuisine. He added that attractions such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean sun bears and proboscis monkeys offered significant potential to strengthen Sandakan’s position as a wildlife and ecotourism destination.
He proposed that the government, tourism authorities and airlines study the feasibility of introducing direct flights on the Penang–Sandakan, Johor–Sandakan and Kuching–Sandakan routes. Better air connections, he said, could attract more domestic travellers, encourage longer stays and support travel packages that benefit local businesses.
Chong also urged the State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and the Sabah Tourism Board to develop a long-term tourism blueprint for Sandakan, covering destination marketing, air connectivity, wildlife and heritage attractions, food tourism, infrastructure and private-sector participation. He stressed that proposed flight routes should be assessed based on passenger demand and commercial viability, while tourism planning should deliver tangible economic benefits to local communities.
He called for more tourism-related programmes, small and medium enterprise (SME) development initiatives and entrepreneurship activities to help residents participate in the town’s economic growth. Suggested measures included business-matching sessions, entrepreneurship training, food and cultural festivals, handicraft exhibitions and marketing programmes to help local businesses reach wider markets.
“Tourism development must go beyond promotional campaigns. We need a clear strategy that connects our attractions with better accessibility, quality services and business opportunities,” Chong said.
He added that fishermen, seafood traders, food operators, tour guides, transport providers, homestay operators, handicraft producers and young entrepreneurs should all have opportunities to benefit from tourism, creating income and employment for the people of Sandakan. – James Leong
‘Tourism development must go beyond promotional campaigns. We need a clear strategy that connects our attractions with better accessibility, quality services and business opportunities’ – Chong
