SEMPORNA: Once bustling with tourists heading to its islands and diving spots, Semporna is seeing fewer visitors, declining bookings and mounting pressure on tourism operators and local businesses.
Semporna Local Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association secretary Anyrishah Mohd Shah said the slowdown was affecting tour bookings, accommodation providers and businesses reliant on tourist spending.
"Bookings for island-hopping activities, day trips and resort packages are declining, including reservations for the next two to three months.
"Hotel, homestay and resort operators are receiving fewer bookings, resulting in low occupancy rates and many unoccupied rooms," she said when contacted,
She said the downturn was also visible at tourist jetties and in the town centre.
"The number of tourists using the jetties for island-hopping activities and island visits has declined compared with usual levels.
"Semporna town, business premises and shops that depend on tourists are becoming less lively, affecting local traders' sales."
Semporna is one of Sabah's key tourism destinations, recording 560,077 tourist arrivals last year. From January to April this year, the district recorded 157,673 visitors.
Sabah Tourism Federation president Tonny Chew said several factors could be contributing to the decline.
He said seasonal fluctuations and low-season travel patterns could affect arrivals, while package prices and overall travel costs were becoming increasingly important as tourists compared destinations for value for money.
"We need to ensure that our tour packages remain competitive without compromising service quality and the visitor experience," he said.
Chew said haze and other environmental conditions could also influence travel decisions, particularly when visibility was reduced or marine and outdoor activities were affected.
He added that negative perceptions of safety and security could undermine visitor confidence, as even isolated incidents could have a wider impact when circulated through the media or social media.
"We must continue to strengthen safety measures, enforcement and communication to reassure visitors that their well-being is a priority."
Cleanliness and destination management were also crucial to Semporna's long-term tourism appeal, he said, citing waste management, the cleanliness of public areas and jetties, and the maintenance of popular tourist spots.
Chew said tourism operators, government agencies, local authorities and communities needed to work together to improve destination standards, address genuine concerns and communicate accurate information to visitors.
"Ultimately, our objective should not just be to attract more tourists, but also to ensure that visitors receive good value, feel safe and leave with a positive impression of Sabah," he said.
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