Applicants who qualify for RM20,000 under the new deal of Sabah for the development of tourism facilities within the state, are now being given letters by the Tourism Minister, Culture and the Environment of Sabah.

In his statement, minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin claimed that the Sabah Finance Minister's grant allocation had been granted only after the state legislative assembly had approved it last month.

"The grants are part of the state government’s initiatives to improve tourism infrastructure such as homestay facilities and community based tourism products.

"Applications for Sabah tourism development worth RM10 million have been opened since June, and the ministry has received over 1,000 applications,” he said.

He added that the Ministry is committed to further plans to support tour operators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.