Sail Malaysia manager Sazli Kamal Basha said that the Lahad Datu district has a range of potential land- and sea-related locations for the international tourism industry.

He said these included the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Danum Valley.

“Malaysians must come to visit Sabah and this district offers many attractions. The tourism potential in this district is bigger than that of Johor or Pahang,” he told reporters at a 2020 Passage to the East Yacht Rally programme.

He also said that because of the beautiful fauna and flora in the area, Lahad Datu has the potential to become an international sailing destination.

Sazli said there is a need, however, for mariners to dock their boats, for the build of related infrastructures such as a marina, yacht jetty or boat repair facility.

“On the security aspect, patrolling activities by the authorities under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) could provide confidence to sailors,” he added.

On the 2020 Yacht Rally, 15 international sailors from seven countries, were stranded in Malaysia on 18 March, which happened to be on Sunday and they had a chance to visit many amazing destinations such as W Bay Payang at Silam in Lahad Datu waters, said Sazli.

The Malaysian Marine Department has given sailing approval to sailors from Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Netherlands, South Africa, Peru, and the Philippines and they would begin sailing to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau soon.

The 2020 Yacht Rally is organized by the Cruise Marine Tourism Association in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and Sabah Tourism.