KOTA KINABALU, Sept. 20 -- Sabah tourist arrivals rose 4.1 per cent from January to August, disproving talk of a slump in the state's tourism sector.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal said there had been an increase in both international and domestic arrivals during the period.

"The talk that Sabah's tourism is declining is not true at all," he said after officiating the opening ceremony of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Sabah at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Saturday.

"From January to August this year, tourist numbers increased 4.1 per cent. International arrivals rose about 6.9 per cent, while local Malaysian visitors grew...