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Chinese tourists flock to Malaysia’s Semporna diving paradise, but local businesses feel sidelined
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Chinese tourists filled the void left by Western and Japanese tourists in Semporna after the sea-kidnapping incidents in the 2010s.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
Follow topic:
- Semporna, Sabah, dubbed "Maldives of Malaysia", attracts many Chinese tourists, comprising 46% of international arrivals (Jan-Sept 2025), boosting Sabah tourism.
- Malaysian operators allege Chinese counterparts use "grey zone" tactics, like licence rentals, to bypass local businesses, impacting their earnings in Semporna.
- Illegal activities, including border crossings and unlicensed operations, led to detentions and raids, prompting calls for tighter regulation and accountability by authorities.
AI generated
SEMPORNA, Sabah – Search for “Sabah” on Xiaohongshu, China’s popular Instagram-like social media platform, and posts on island-hopping off Semporna town will almost certainly appear at the top of the feed.
With its pristine beaches and abundant fresh seafood, the so-called “Maldives of Malaysia” on Sabah’s east coast, overlooking the Celebes Sea, has become a magnet for Chinese nationals.
