KOTA KINABALU: The Sail Malaysia Passage to the East Yacht Rally 2024 programme will boost tourism in the Tuaran district, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said since the programme began in 2005, this would be the first time for the participants to converge in Tuaran.
"We are delighted that this programme has made its way back to Sabah again and it is good to hear that a rally fleet of more than 20 yachts have made it to Tuaran since Wednesday.
"Although this is the first time that you have converged in Tuaran, I have been told that Sail Malaysia has been coming to Sabah since 2009 and over 400 yachts from all over the world have visited," he said.
Hajiji's speech was read by the Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd executive chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya when welcoming participants of the Sail Malaysia Passage to the East Yacht Rally 2024 at the Anjung Gayang Jetty, Jalan Sulaman here tonight.
The participants are from Australia, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, Portugal, Hong Kong, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Canada and other states in Malaysia.
He added that the Sail Malaysia initiative, which is under the auspices of the Cruise Marine Tourism Association of Malaysia, has attracted over 1,400 yachts from 45 countries to Malaysia.
"This has raked in economic receipts of over half a billion ringgit. Well done again to the Cruise Marine Tourism Association of Malaysia for promoting Malaysia's nautical tourism.
"In the weeks ahead as you travel to Kudat, in the north, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, and Tawau on the east coast of Sabah, I hope you will also enjoy attractions at the Turtle Islands, Kinabatangan River and Sipadan."