Sabah eyes Russian tourists heading to Southeast Asia via Shanghai

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants to woo Russian tourists transiting through Shanghai on their way to Southeast Asia, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.

She said the current three weekly flights from Moscow to Shanghai make it a hub with huge potential from which to pull Russian tourists into Sabah as they make their way to Southeast Asia.

“I was informed that 70% of the Russians who fly to Shanghai use the destination as a transit point to visit parts of Southeast Asia.

“I believe we should capitalise on this travel trend to secure a fair share of the tourism cake in the region,” said Liew, who is currently on an official visit to Shanghai, in a statement released here Friday (Sept 20).

“I am given to understand that Russians love island holidays and wildlife such as bears. Sabah’s iconic wildlife such as the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sunbear should be alluring to them,” Liew said.

Liew disclosed this after meeting Shanghai Airlines vice general manager Shulei Chen and China Eastern Airlines vice general manager Jin Chengchu.

Liew has asked the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to study the tourism market in Russia.

‘We want to diversify our target markets,” she said.

She said that during the winter season in Russia from December to February, there would be an increased demand for Russians to escape the harsh cold winter to Southeast Asia during this period.

“We can offer Sabah as a destination,” she added.

Following discussions with the airline officials, Chen and Jin said that they were keen to further promote Sabah.

“Given that Shanghai now serves as a hub for international visitors travelling to Southeast Asia, I hope to bring tourists from all over the world to visit Sabah,” Chen told the Minister.

Shanghai Airlines is the seventh biggest airline in the world. With a fleet of more than 790 aircraft, it can serve up to 3200 international and domestic flights per day during peak seasons.

Liew’s proposal for Shanghai Airlines to increase its flight frequency from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu from the current seven to 10 weekly flights was also well received.

“They are open to the suggestion to increase the flights during the next Chinese New Year season,” Liew added.