Joniston with 12 Hungarian tour agents and media representatives. Also pictured is Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit (4th right).
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's tourist promotion activities to Hungary have begun to bear fruit, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman said the state recorded 192 visitors from the land of waters last year, and 30 in January this year.
Bangkuai, who is also state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said the number is small but promising considering that engagement with the Hungarian market only began last year.
“The steady number of visitors is a positive indicator of curiosity within the Hungarian market and interest in discovering Sabah," he said.
He said travellers from Hungary can easily reach Sabah via Chinese airlines, with convenient connections through Guangzhou and Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.
"With these routes, we anticipate more Hungarian visitors as well as those from neighbouring countries in Central Europe who may find Sabah appealing," Bangkuai added.
On Monday (March 24), he met with 12 Hungarian tour agents and media representatives currently here for a five-day familiarisation trip at a welcoming dinner hosted by STB.
Bangkuai stressed the importance of introducing Sabah to new markets and making it a preferred destination for those unfamiliar with Borneo.
He said this was part of the state's strategy to diversify the tourism sector and attract visitors from untapped markets such as Hungary.
“Sabah offers unique nature-based tourism experiences, and we see potential here,” he added.
Turizmus.com Online editor-in-chief Hajnalka Fucsko, Aviareps general manager for Hungary and South-East Europe Attila Toth, and Haris Travel Club managing director Richard Haris were among key members of the familiarisation group.
Noting Sabah's potential, Fucsko suggested that STB consider participating in Hungary’s largest travel exhibition, the HungEXPO in Budapest, next February.
"I have never been to Sabah before. I've been to Kuala Lumpur, so I had no second thoughts when the opportunity came to explore Borneo, especially Sabah.
“A new destination always brings fresh perspectives, and I look forward to introducing Sabah to our readers back home," she said.
The group is scheduled to explore the state’s iconic attractions, including the islands, the cool highlands of Kundasang, and the wildlife-rich areas of Sandakan.
Before returning home on Friday (March 28), they will also participate in a session to foster potential collaborations with local tourism stakeholders.
