{"id":252331,"date":"2025-06-10T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T22:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/?p=252331"},"modified":"2025-06-10T06:13:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T23:13:27","slug":"french-travel-agents-discover-sabahs-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/2025\/06\/french-travel-agents-discover-sabahs-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"French travel agents discover Sabah\u2019s appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KOTA KINABALU, 10 June 2025: A delegation of French travel agents expressed admiration for Sabah\u2019s unique blend of culture, adventure, and nature during their three-day visit to Kota Kinabalu, which concluded at the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their short but meaningful stay included immersive activities such as jungle trekking on Gaya Island, a sunset cruise, cultural performances over dinner, and a visit to the iconic Mari Mari Cultural Village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (left) exchanging mementoes with Malaysia\u2019s Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini. Photo courtesy of STB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many of them described the experience as insightful and said they were keen to return and explore more of what Sabah has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSabah is on the right path,\u201d said one of the delegates, Andreas Gantenbein, who is the Managing Director of AERTiCKET for Belgium, France, and Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis trip gave us a good introduction to what Sabah can offer. We appreciated the hospitality as well as the effort to share the local culture with us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting French travel agents join in the fun as they take part in traditional Sabah dances. – pic courtesy of STB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Malaysia\u2019s Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini, who accompanied the group, said the response from the French agents reaffirmed Sabah\u2019s strong potential as a destination for the European market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSabah has what it takes to attract more French travellers, and the embassy in Paris will continue to support efforts to promote Sabah, especially in highlighting its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Tuesday, the Sabah Tourism Board hosted the group to a sunset cruise and dinner at the Gaya Island Resort, joined by Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addressing the visiting agents, Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, expressed optimism over the growing French market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe are seeing more visitors from France coming to Sabah. From January to April this year, we received 2,116 French visitors, and that\u2019s an increase from 1,669 during the same period last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 2024, we recorded 5,921 French arrivals, and we want to see this grow as Sabah is slowly finding its place in the hearts of French and European travellers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joniston acknowledged that safety remains a top concern for many travellers, especially first-timers, and reaffirmed Sabah\u2019s commitment to ensuring the state remains a safe and welcoming destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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