Revenue from the tourism industry had made up for losses in timber earnings since the state government began reducing its stake in logging.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state was once heavily dependent on logging and there was a time when Sabah could earn up to RM2 billion from the industry.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman took a bold step 12 years ago in cancelling logging licences, concessions, while stepping up tourism promotions.
Masidi said last year, revenue from logging stood at about RM100 million.
“The state government knew that the resources were not going to last forever, so, we had to make the right decision even if it was an unpopular one,” he said during the launch of a book, titled Sensational Seas of Sabah, published by Scubazoo here on Monday.
Masidi said the spike in the number of tourist arrivals had compensated the loss of logging revenue, and this year the state was expected to rake in RM5.7 billion in earnings. He added that despite all the potential, the government would continue to protect the environment.
He said limiting visitors to certain nature attractions was important for sustainability, citing the 120 divers a day limit on Sipadan Island and 192 summit climbers a day on Gunung Kinabalu as examples.
Masidi also said Sabah was lucky to have those who are passionate about conserving the state’s natural heritage and educating the public on the importance of looking after the environment.
Present were Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort General manager Craig Powell.
Scubazoo managing director Jason Isley said the book was to promote the lesser visited islands in the state to take the pressure off Sipadan Island.
“It also helps illustrate the beauty under Sabah’s waters and its bio-diversity captured in 300 fascinating images,” he said, adding that they hoped the books would woo tourists.
