KOTA KINABALU: Tourism players need direct flights for the Singapore-Sandakan route.
The Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN) has proposed this to the Sabah authorities in an effort to enhance tourism into the east coast district well-known for wildlife and nature parks.
STAN president Teo Chee Kim stated on Monday (May 16) that it put forth the proposal in the course of the latest courtesy name on state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Direct flights from Singapore to Sandakan would assist the native tourism business get again on its ft after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, he stated.
Teo stated accessibility and air connectivity have been key to reviving the sector.
“The lack of connectivity makes Sandakan less marketable – since more time and money are needed for visitors to get there (at present),” he stated.
He stated Sandakan may function a weekend getaway as Singapore was solely about two hours away by air.
Furthermore, he stated, ecotourists from Europe and Australia may additionally are available by means of direct flights from Singapore.
Jafry famous that the latest completion of Sandakan airport’s runway extension challenge was well timed for extra flights to return into the district.