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Sabah Visitors Statistics Jan to June 2002

Source and Copyright: Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation

1. INTRODUCTION

This is a Comparative Analysis for the period January to June 2002 over the same period last year (January – June 2001).

June 2002 marked the 9th month after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the USA that plunged the travel and aviation industry; and the USA to declare War against Terrorists.

International tourist arrival in June 2002 increased by 106% to 41,381 as compared with only 20,134 in November 2001, the lowest point after the September attack and the height of USA bombings in Afghanistan.


2. TOTAL ARRIVALS

Total arrivals include arrivals via Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Tawau and Sandakan Airports and seaports in Sabah, excluding Labuan.

Air accessibility remains a constant important factor and main-bridge towards increasing and bringing arrivals into Sabah. From January to June 2002, 95.1% of arrivals into Sabah are by air (excluding Indonesia and Philippines arrivals). Based on flights and potential seats capacity of about 70% for international direct flights being dedicated for Sabah, the 2002 total arrival is targeted to increase by 16%, from 918,523 in 2001 to about 1,067,165. However, international flights continue to carry considerable load capacity beyond BKI/Kota Kinabalu.

As of June 30, Sabah has achieved 46% of the 2002 target arrivals. During the first six (6) months, total visitor arrivals increased by 3.9% compared over the same period last year, from 471,309 pax in 2001 to 489,515 pax in 2002.

Please refer to Appendix I : Line Chart for Total Visitors Arrival into Sabah : A Comparison for the months of January - June of 2000, 2001 and 2002.


3. INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

It is noted that international tourist arrivals to Malaysia for Jan-May 2002 recorded a decrease of 10% from 5.9 million in Jan-May 2001 to 5.3 million. Figures for the month of June are yet to be received.

Sabah’s international arrivals for the period of Jan-June 2002 decreased by 18%, with only 190,983 this year as against 232,816 for the same period in 2001.

After discounting arrivals from Indonesia and the Philippines, international arrivals decreased by 22% from 138,495 in 2001 to 107,625 in 2002. It is noted that the June 2002 Indonesian arrivals of 22,363 is the highest ever recorded per month. This reflects the number of returning Indonesians workers after obtaining their travel documents.
Only five (5) target markets recorded increases in arrivals during this period, namely: Brunei increased by 2.4% to 22,247; China 48% to 5,756; Japan 25% to 9,281, South Korea increased 6% to 3,080 and Scandinavian countries increased 4% to 3,470.

Please refer to :
i. Appendix II : Line Chart for International Visitors Arrival into Sabah : A Comparison for the months of January - June of 2000, 2001 and 2002.

ii. Appendix III : Line Chart for International Visitors Arrival into Sabah : A Comparison for the months of January - June of 2000, 2001 and 2002 (discounting arrivals from Indonesia and Philippines)


4. DOMESTIC ARRIVALS

Domestic arrivals increased by a healthy 25% from 238,493 pax for the 2001 period to 298,532 in 2002. The increase was greatly assisted by Air Asia’s cheaper airfares “No Frills” concept, which was launched in March.

Domestic arrivals are projected to continue to increase as MAS and Air Asia increased more flights between KUL and BKI; especially with Air Asia under its new owners and management plan to increase their fleet, more flight frequencies and to continue the attractive “No Frills” low airfares concept. From Jan-June 2002, Air Asia had ferried 54,320 passengers from KUL to BKI, a 97% increase compared to only 27,571 pax in Jan-June 2001.

Please refer to Appendix IV : Line Chart for Domestic Visitors Arrival into Sabah : A Comparison for the months of January - June of 2000, 2001 and 2002.

5. DISTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BY REGION

ASIA:

The drop in Asian arrival by 16% from 200,077 to 168,249, is a major concern. The drop are from Taiwan which decreased by 39% from 54,514 to 33,266; Singapore decreased 37.7% from 7,503 to 4,676 and Hong Kong decreased about 15% from 7,437 to 6,330.

The weak economic situation in Taiwan, coupled with natural disasters that slammed the island in the later quarter of 2001 caused the decrease from this market. Singapore, suffering its worst recession since its independence in 1965 caused Singaporeans to choose cheaper holiday destinations in Australia, Phuket, Bali and across the causeway to Peninsula Malaysia. The Singapore government has also embarked on an aggressive “Explore Singapore” campaign to get Singaporeans to spend their holiday in Singapore. The less than optimistic economic outlook in Hong Kong and the growing unemployment rates has caused Hong Kong citizens to reduce travel abroad and becoming even more price-sensitive.

The top performing destinations are China (+48%), Japan (+25%), South Korea (+6%) and Brunei (+2.4%).

China, Japan, South Korea and Brunei have been the bright spots among the Asian countries. China’s economy enjoyed a remarkable record of stability and is expected to continue doing well as it emerged as the dominant power in Asia. Japan travelers are actively looking for a new destinations to replace Hawaii and Guam, and with greater awareness of Sabah as a destination and more air accessibility, Japan had generated a healthy growth into Sabah. South Korea economy has been making a steady recovery, and the strengthening of Korean Won against the Dollar had increased travelers’ confidence to go abroad.

OCEANIA

Oceania arrivals recorded 39% decrease from 3,892 to 2,384, with traffic from Australia down by 42% and New Zealand decreased by 21%. Arrivals from Australia into Sabah were mainly MICE. As a result of September 11, all the corporate events originally scheduled to come to Sabah were either cancelled or re-located to other destination/countries resulting in a big loss to Sabah. It is encouraging to note that arrival in June 2002 is 336 pax, 15.5% increase from 291 pax in 2001. This shows the need for Sabah to aggressively develop the FIT and leisure market in Australia and New Zealand, for there are strong interests, with greater awareness.

EUROPE

European arrivals decreased by 31% from 19,861 to 13,740. Most European countries reported decrease in arrivals; France (-39%), UK & Ireland (-43%) and Germany (-8%). Scandinavian countries continued to perform well with 4% increase, however the increase was not enough to relieve the overall decrease.

Scandinavian countries continued to perform well with 4% increase due to the awareness among the Scandinavians of Sabah as Borneo, an exotic nature adventure destination and the availability of the charter flights.

Cautious concerns to travel to Muslim-country Malaysia saw UK & Ireland divert their travel to South Africa and Thailand. At the same time, the two countries launched their aggressive strategic tactical marketing campaigns with very competitive and affordable packages.

NORTH AMERICA

Because of Sept 11 and the declining economic situation, outbound traffic from North America is expected to remain sluggish. North American arrivals into Sabah decreased by 35% from 6,009 to 3,938. U.S.A posted a 37% decrease and Canada arrivals decreased 29% over the same period last year.

 

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