KOTA KINABALU: Uzbekistan tour operator Osmon Aero has indicated an interest in introducing charter flights connecting Tashkent and Kota Kinabalu.

       After a meeting with Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai here on Friday (June 3), its representatives said they hoped to see this become a reality next year.

       Osmon Aero was represented by co-founder Dilshod Mukhomediev and director-general Anastasiya Arushanova.

       The visitors had learned about Sabah's tourism potential during a recent trip to Langkawi.

       At present, Osmon Aero and Malaysia Airlines have an agreement for the latter to operate a Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent route from July.

       "We flew here and were impressed with the infrastructure as well as the number of hotels available.

       "Sabah would be an interesting destination for Central Asians due to its beautiful beaches and nature," Dilshod said in a statement.

       Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman, welcomed the proposal, adding that it would be part of a long-term strategic plan to make Sabah's tourism industry sustainable.

       “If this happens, Central Asia will become a new market for us.

       "Indeed, the board is constantly working to attract new markets, and this will undoubtedly increase our presence.

       “For a start, we must devise an effective marketing strategy and raise awareness of Sabah in Central Asia,” he said, citing the possibility of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan as potential tourism markets too.