Tamu Besar: A Tourist destination that promotes unity

2 November 2024
KOTA BELUD: The Tamu Besar Kota Belud not only attracts tourists but also highlights the beauty and uniqueness of the diverse local cultures within the state, stated Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
He emphasised that the State Government will continue to support and develop the potential of each district in Sabah, focusing on enhancing the unique socio-economic, tourism, and cultural aspects of its communities.
“Certainly, the annual organisation of this big market plays a significant role in attracting tourists while promoting the richness of local culture,” he remarked.
“This market also symbolises unity, serving as a social gathering place for people of various races and religions, including the Bajau, Kadazandusun, Iranun, and Chinese communities, which continue to thrive to this day.”
“I hope the people will continue to support every development agenda implemented by the government,” he added during the Tamu Besar Kota Belud 2024 event at Kota Belud township Padang on Saturday.
The Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, officiated the Tamu Besar Kota Belud 2024 ceremony.
A variety of activities have been organised for this year's Tamu Besar Kota Belud, including cultural performances, traditional sports, exhibitions, and sales of community and craft products.
Meanwhile, Hajiji stated that the state government remains committed to enhancing the implementation of various inclusive tourism initiatives and programs, particularly in expanding tourism promotion networks and developing air travel routes to the state.
He noted that these initiatives aim to improve accessibility to Sabah as a destination capable of offering the most attractive tourism experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
“According to statistics from the Sabah Tourism Board, the number of tourist arrivals to the state from January to August is approximately 2.1 million, comprising 867,231 international tourists and 1.2 million domestic tourists."
" This indicates the significant potential of Sabah as a tourism destination, and I am confident that with the strategic planning that has been laid out, the number of tourist arrivals to Sabah will continue to show encouraging growth.”
“Kota Belud is among the destinations that offer a variety of tourism experiences, including adventure, recreation, culture, and nature, with more than 30 fascinating tourist locations to explore, including islands and rivers,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Tamu Kota Belud is one of the oldest markets in Sabah, having been established for over 100 years.
“The Tamu Kota Belud is not just a trading centre; it is also a hub for the production and sale of various local products, such as agricultural produce, traditional foods, handicrafts, machetes, musical instruments, and traditional attire. Here, visitors can find quality goods at reasonable prices,” he concluded.
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