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Indonesian And Malaysian Tourists Promote Sabah And Kedah

Malaysia is promoting new tourist destinations in Sabah and Kedah for Indonesian travelers. Sugihartati, a representative from Tourism Malaysia Jakarta, stated that the promotion of the Sabah and Kedah tourist destinations is part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism campaign. "We have chosen the destinations of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and Langkawi in Penang, aiming to introduce new locations aside from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which are already well-known to Indonesian tourists," Sugihartati told Kompas.com in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Thursday evening (24/7/2025).

The woman, affectionately known as Ugi, mentioned that Sabah has various tourist spots that Indonesian travelers can visit. She pointed out attractions such as Mount Kinabalu in Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu. "Additionally, Kedah is also one of our choices at Tourism Malaysia for introduction. There are direct flights available, and Kedah has many tourist sites as well. This includes Langkawi, which is somewhat like an island," Ugi added.

Ugi stated that his team aims for Indonesian tourists to be able to visit Sabah and Kedah directly. This is due to the availability of direct flights from Jakarta to Sabah and Kuala Lumpur for reaching Kedah. "Furthermore, there are already direct flights from Jakarta to Kota Kinabalu, which operate three times a week," Ugi mentioned. He noted that Kota Kinabalu is suitable for various types of tourists. Visitors can explore the city, enjoy culinary experiences, visit historical buildings, take in the views of the South China Sea, go snorkeling, and even hike Mount Kinabalu.

"We would like to introduce that in Kota Kinabalu, there are numerous family-friendly tourist attractions nearby, particularly appealing to the Gen-Z demographic. The food options are halal, and we have already sampled the seafood here, which is notably fresh," stated Ugi. Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia is promoting the tourist destinations of Sabah and Keddah through a Familiarization Trip program with travel agents from Jakarta and Pontianak, as well as media representatives and influencers. During the Familiarization Trip, Tourism Malaysia invites participants to explore Kota Kinabalu, including visits to Menara Tun Mustapha, Masjid Raya Sabah, and the Filipino Craft Market. Additionally, there are tours to Kundasang, Nabalu Market, and Kinabalu National Park.

In Kedah, Tourism Malaysia is also inviting visitors to a tour of the city of Putrajaya, Penang, the Komtar building, Cornwallis Fort, and the Penang Bridge. "In fact, we are collaborating with a consortium of travel agents. We are also introducing travel agents to various spots or places that can be visited. After returning from this Familiarization Trip, they will create a package to attract Indonesian tourists," Ugi added. Ugi expressed hope that Indonesian tourists will be able to vacation in Kota Kinabalu and Kedah for a minimum of three days and two nights each.

It is important to note that Indonesia holds a strategic position as the second largest contributor of tourists to Malaysia. The number of Indonesian tourists visiting Malaysia in 2024 is projected to be 4,145,127 individuals.

According to records from Tourism Malaysia, the preferred tourist destinations for Indonesian travelers in Malaysia include Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, Penang, Selangor, and Pahang. The reasons for Indonesian tourists visiting Malaysia encompass leisure trips to amusement parks, medical treatments, shopping, and culinary tourism.

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Tag: Indonesian And Malaysian New Tourist Destinations Sabah And Kedah