SANDAKAN – The Sabah government is seeking direct flights between the Philippines and Sandakan after proposing similar direct flights to Singapore recently.
Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said that he had proposed to Philippines AirAsia CEO Ricardo P. Isla for direct flights between Sandakan and Davao, Cebu, or Zamboanga.
The suggestion, he said, comes following the Sandakan airport’s runway-extension project, which was completed earlier this month.
“This effort is in line with the Sabah government’s direction to ensure that Sandakan and Tawau airports will be recognised as international airports.
“In fact, it is one of the tourism sector’s core directions.
“The Sabah state government will do our best to make it happen,” he said at a press conference after he launched the Sandakan Heritage Trail’s information board here, today.
Last week, Jafry proposed to Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for National Development and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann for Singapore’s airline companies to introduce direct flights to Sandakan and Tawau’s airports.
On this, he said Singapore’s airport is important for its high connectivity with other countries.
“She (Sim) had personally come to Sabah and she knows that Sabah is among the top holiday destinations for Singaporeans. She seemed to agree that Singapore could expand its wings to other districts in Sabah other than Kota Kinabalu.
“We don’t want Kota Kinabalu to be the only focus here, because when it comes to nature, Sandakan is the best place (to visit),” he said, adding that Sandakan has Turtle Islands Park, orangutans and other nature-based tourism products.
Meanwhile, Jafry commended the community volunteer group that had initiated the Sandakan Heritage Trail, a walking trail that would take one to Sandakan’s historical structures and landmarks around town.
He said the trail features structures that had been left from the Japanese and British colonial eras, which include a church and a mosque that highlight the multiracial community in Sandakan and in Sabah.
“I am confident that this heritage trail will preserve the history and be appreciated by tourists and the international community,” Jafry said.
Sandakan Heritage Trail founder and chairman Lai King Hang also thanked Jafry for being the first state minister to grace its event since its formation almost 20 years ago, as well as the Sabah Tourism Board for sponsoring the information boards along the trail. – The Vibes, June 18, 2022
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