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| The ""iTRAVELMarket" Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | Sabah Expects More Tourists From Singapore And Other Countries | Views: 555 | Dec 14, 2005 3:28 am | | Sabah Expects More Tourists From Singapore And Other Countries | # | Nora Tangau | | KOTA KINABALU, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Sabah expects that the launch of SilkAir's direct flight from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu will not only attract tourists arrival from the republic but also international travellers who make a stopover in Singapore before continuing their journey to the other parts of the region, said deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.
Sabah recorded a total of 14,847 Singaporean visitors to the state in 2004, which is only a fraction of the potential numbers that it expects in the future, Chong said in a ceremony to welcome the maiden flight of SilkAir carrying about 142 passengers from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu On Monday.
SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will be operating two flights a week from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu on Monday and Friday.
SilkAir chief executive officer, Mike Barclay who was on board in the inaugural flight said he was overwhelmed with the response received from their clients on the new destination.
He said the last time Singapore Airlines (SIA) operated from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore was in the year 2001 and now it planned to stay on this route with SilkAir.
Barclay said based on the studies conducted by the airlines on the viability of Sabah as a tourist destination, there were strong reasons to attract travellers from Australia, Japan, Europe, South Africa and the United States to this state because travellers could first shop in Singapore before hopping to Sabah.
He said Sabah had all the makings of a top quality leisure destination. With its famous Mount Kinabalu, hot springs, beaches, diving spots (Sipadan Island) and affordable golf courses, it was poised to be one of the Asia's latest travel destinations.
The airlines also planned to increase its flights to Kota Kinabalu next year when it expands its fleet of aircraft.
At present, SilkAir has 12 aircraft, comprising seven Airbus A320s and five A319s.
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