KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah Parks statutory body will be raising entrance fees for its parks soon, pending a gazette by the Sabah state attorney.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said that the organisation’s decision was made following the need for more funds for operational costs of the parks.
“The fees currently charged by Sabah Parks are still too low compared with other (private tourism) places.
“With the increase in operational costs and other expenses, Sabah Parks set up a committee to look into this matter, which has decided to increase the entrance fees,” he said.
Jafry said that under the Sabah Parks Enactment, the parks’ committee has the right to impose fees to collect funds for operational costs.
Sabah Parks currently manages Kinabalu Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Crocker Range Park, Tawau Hills Park, Turtle Islands Park, Pulau Tiga Park, Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sipadan Island Park, and Tun Mustapha Park.
“We will provide a grace period of about six months before the new fees are imposed,” Jafry said at a press conference after the closing ceremony of the second Asia Parks Congress held in Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
A total of 1,250 delegates from 49 countries participated in the congress, and Jafry said he is sure that the facilities SICC and Kota Kinabalu offer will attract more international conferences to be held at the venue.
“I was made to understand that we will have a World Tourism (event) to be held in SICC in November this year. International conferences such as this will surely bring business opportunities to the locals here,” he added.
Jafry said Sabah’s tourism players who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic are ever ready to receive international guests.
“The government has helped tourism players in Sabah through various incentives and assistance for them to improve their basic facilities during the pandemic.
“The ministry will continue to collaborate with tourism industry players to ensure that the tourism sector in Sabah will recover to its previous state as soon as possible,” he said. – The Vibes, May 29, 2022
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