KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has defended the appointment of badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei as Sabah Tourism Ambassador, saying that it was not about the personality but the results that should follow.

       MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said it was not about who was appointed, rather that follow-up actions should produce positive results for Sabah’s tourism industry.

       “It does not matter whether a local or a foreigner is appointed tourism ambassador but that the ambassador, together with the stakeholders, must be able to attract tourists – both locally and internationally,” he added.

       Tan was weighing in on the strong local reactions against Lee’s appointment as the state’s tourism ambassador.

       Lee’s appointment, he said, would hugely support the recovery of the industry that was the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “The road to recovery will be long and steep. Industry players will need all the support they can get, especially from a world-renowned badminton champion like Lee.

       “With the easing of interstate travel in Peninsular Malaysia, tourism recovery has peaked (there) compared to that in Sabah, which is now lagging behind,” Tan said in a statement.

       He added that the state’s tourism ambassadorship was also not limited to only one person as every year, Sabah would crown a brand-new ambassador in the form of an Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen), who was expected to represent the state too.

       Tan also pointed out that there had also been individual appointments made by the Sabah Tourism Board, such as golfer Ben Leong and singer Gary Chaw, adding that such ambassadors must ensure that the promotion of Sabah was done regularly.

       “I am sure if industry players are brought in to work with the ambassador, together we can produce the best results in reviving Sabah’s tourism industry and boosting our local economic recovery as the ‘multiplier’ effect of tourism extends deep within local society,” he said.

       He added that Lee would be the special guest at the MATTA Fair from Nov 20-21 in Kuala Lumpur, with Sabah being selected “Malaysia’s Favourite Destination.”