State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said the impact of the abduction of Gao Hua Yuen, 29, from Shanghai and resort worker Marcy Darawan @ Mimi, 40, who were taken from the resort by six gunmen at 10.30pm would be felt in the coming weeks.
On Friday, boatloads of tourists were still seen heading from Semporna town to the renowned diving island havens such as Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.
Pang said the incident exacerbated the situation for resort and diving operators who had reported cancellation of bookings, especially from China, following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
"One resort alone reported 300 cancellations after the disappearance of MH370,” he said.
“This latest incident would impact directly on the resorts around Semporna,” Pang said, adding that tourists had to book six to eight months in advance to stay at many of the dive resorts near here.
“Those who have paid for the stays would probably proceed with their trips but those who are about to confirm their bookings would likely change their minds,” Pang said.
He said the abduction would not only affect arrivals from China but those from other countries as well as “Sipadan is well known in places like Australia and Europe as well.”
In this regard, he said a crisis management committee for the state’s tourist sector that was set after the Sulu gunmen intrusion at Lahad Datu and Semporna last year was now focusing its attention on the anticipated drop in visitor arrivals.
“We have to see how we can overcome this situation. Only time will tell,” he said.
“In spite all this I remain optimistic because our tourism sector has shown that it is resilient,” Pang added.
The Star
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