Having more chartered flights from China can see more mainland Chinese coming

KOTA KINABALU: Any increase in the number of tourists from China very much rests in the amount of chartered flights originating from the republic.

As of now, there are only 51 scheduled direct flights weekly from China and Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu – AirAsia has 35 flights, Dragonair (7) and Malaysia Airlines (9).

With the State Government very keen to see more tourists from China visiting Sabah, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said additional flights are required.

“We know AirAsia is already in discussion with the China Authorities to have a direct flight from Wuhan to Kota Kinabalu possibly starting in November 2015,” he disclosed.

Therefore, chartered flights plays a very important role for Chinese visitors to come to Sabah, he stressed.

“I am confident, the 70 chartered flights can be increased to 100 flights,” he said at the Signing of Memorandums of Understandings between five agents in China for the 70 chartered flights from Wuhan, Changsa, Chengdu and Nanjing to Kota Kinabalu.

The MoU signing ceremony was held in Wuhan, China last week.

In 2013, there were a total of 193 chartered flights from China, bringing 29,246 Chinese visitors. In 2014, there were 107 such flights bringing 15,549 Chinese visitors.

In the first three months of this year, we received a total of 17 chartered flights, bringing a total of 2,646 visitors.

There were three flights each from Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzen and Hong Kong and 2 flights from Changsa,” he said.

On the new deals, Masidi said the four Provincial capital cities have a total population of more 38.8 million people.

He added that this year Malaysia and China celebrates 41 Years of diplomatic relationship and during the 41 years, both countries have improved their understanding of each other through culture and heritage.

Masidi also expressed his appreciation with the opening up of China’s Consulate General Office, in Kota Kinabalu, saying it would only strengthen the close relationship and to develop cooperation and partnerships in business, investments, education, culture and people-to-people relationships

Sabah, Masidi said is an incredibly beautiful and diverse destination and this has a very high appeal with the Chinese.

“Our strength lies in our hundreds-of-years-old virgin rainforest, beautiful islands and beaches, World Class Conservation and Wildlife sanctuaries and diverse cultural heritage. Sabah has 394 islands and endless beaches.

“Immediately in front of Kota Kinabalu is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with five (5) islands. The resorts and hotels in Kota Kinabalu are all situated by the sea.

“Sabah’s population is heterogeneous and culturally diverse, with more than 30 different ethnic races and over 80 dialects spoken.

Most importantly Mandarin is widely spoken in Kota Kinabalu and throughout Sabah and the food here is very much sought after by these tourists,” he added.