Sabah Pursues Strategic Tourism And Cultural Ties With India Ahead Of Visit Sabah 2027

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 6 – Sabah is pursuing a strategic initiative to deepen tourism and cultural relations with India to capture the republic’s high-yield travel market ahead of the Visit Sabah 2027 campaign.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin highlighted India as a key source market with immense growth potential that aligns with Sabah’s niche offerings, including eco-tourism, biodiversity, adventure travel, and cultural heritage.

“India is an important tourism market with tremendous potential for Sabah, and we see significant opportunities to strengthen our engagement, encourage greater visitor arrivals, and introduce more Indian travellers to our unique natural attractions,” Jafry stated in an official release on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Jafry hosted an official dinner in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday evening in honor of the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Somnath Ghosh, and his spouse, Dr. Anindita Ghosh. The dinner formed part of the envoy’s four-day official working visit to Sabah running from November 4 to 7, 2026.

The state government is advocating for direct collaboration with Indian authorities, focusing on joint promotional campaigns, cultural exchange programs, and reciprocal initiatives to enhance people-to-people connections.

“Tourism is not merely about attracting visitors, but also about fostering lasting friendships, promoting cultural understanding and creating economic opportunities that benefit our local communities,” Jafry added, expressing appreciation to the High Commission of India for facilitating bilateral engagements.

Strategic Goals, High-Yield Targets, and Bilateral Initiatives

Key parameters, target segments, and bilateral priorities include:

• Strategic Milestone: Preparing for the Visit Sabah 2027 campaign.
• Target Niche Markets: Eco-tourism, biodiversity, adventure travel, and cultural heritage.
• Diplomatic Engagements: 4-day working visit by Indian High Commissioner Somnath Ghosh (Nov 4–7, 2026).
• Core Initiatives: Joint tourism promotions, cultural exchange programs, and expanded direct air link feasibility.

-NMT