TAMBUNAN: About 66,000 people have visited this district in between January-September this year in conjunction with Visit Tambunan Year.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said of the total 66,073, 58,050 were local tourists with the rest comprising Malaysians from other states and foreign nationals.

He said the number was compiled from records taken at tourist attractions where visitors were required to register such as the Sabah Parks, Gunung Trusmadi and a few other places in Tambunan.

"This total does not include visitors to open places such as the tamu or those visiting celebratory events organised in the Tambunan District.”

Pairin was speaking at the opening of the Music Festival and Ecotourism Tambunan 2017 at the Pisompuruan Square here, on Saturday (25 November).

Since Visit Tambunan Year was launched on Nov 2, 2016, the district has staged 16 major events, from Ginawari in Jan this year to the Bamboo and Ginger Festival last September.

Visit Tambunan Year specifically promotes 15 tourist attractions in the district including Gunung Trusmadi and Gunung Wakit, salt trail, water rafting, etc.

On the two-in-one musical and eco-tourism festival, Pairin said 28 government agencies and the private sector have joined hands to promote the event to showcase Tambunan's tourism potential. The music part of the festival took place on Saturday.