The Kota Kinabalu Christmas Celebration 2023 (KKCC) will run from Dec 12 to 15 at Padang Merdeka. Organised by Sabah Council of Churches and Kota Kinabalu City Hall, it focuses on unity with the theme “Christmas: Unity and Harmony.” City Hall Director Junainah Abbie emphasises promoting peace and understanding. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor…
The Norwegian Jewel cruise ship recently visited Kota Kinabalu, boosting the local economy with 2,000 tourists disembarking to shop and spend. The 20-floor luxury cruise ship’s 12-day itinerary covered Bangkok, Manila, Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, and Singapore. Matthew Chin, Chairman of MatthewPaul Tours and Travel, a pioneer in local cruise tourism, led a local travel agents…
The Lipad mud volcano at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu erupted again on the night of Nov 27, 2023. It spewed a massive five feet high of volcanic mud, nearly covering the first floor of the watchtower, according to Tabin Wildlife Resort, General Manager Lawrence Chin. “No witnesses were present, as the reserve…
Sabah is set to end 2023 with a flourish, featuring a variety of cultural events throughout December. Launched by Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, the DEC-Cover Sabah Campaign aims to boost the state’s tourism sector. Liew invites everyone to partake in the festivities, emphasising the celebration’s focus on Sabah’s cultural richness and…
The Ministry of Economy has granted approval for the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to upgrade Tawau Airport (LT Tawau) in the 4th Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RP4 RMK12) set for implementation next year. Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew stated that the proposed upgrade project includes increasing the terminal capacity…
Sabah aims to welcome 2.8 million tourists in 2024, targeting RM5.6 billion in tourism receipts, announced Tourism Minister Datuk Christina Liew. This ambition hinges on organizing renowned events like the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon and Sabah Fest. Liew expressed gratitude for state government support, allocating funds to the Sabah Convention Bureau to enhance business events and…
The federal government’s decision to grant a 30-day visa-free entry into Malaysia for visitors from China and India, effective December 1, 2023, is welcomed by Sabah to boost its tourist arrivals. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor noted that Sabah has already achieved 85.6% of its 2.2 million tourist target this year. Sabah is connected…
Shanghai businessmen expressed keen interest in investing in Sabah’s tourism and property development sectors. Their intentions were revealed to Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew during a courtesy call. Seeking advice on securing state support, the investors from Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co Ltd were assured of the government’s investor-friendly approach. Liew…
The Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur announced that the 15-day visa-free policy would be in effect for a year from Dec 1, 2023 to Nov 30, 2024. “To further promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Malaysia, the Chinese government will implement a 15-day visa-free policy for Malaysian citizens holding ordinary passports who enter China for…
The allure of Sabah as a premier tourist destination has been underscored by a notable surge in visitor numbers and tourism revenue. In June 2023 alone, the region welcomed 1.2 million tourists, generating an estimated RM2.45 billion in tourism receipts—an impressive 69.1 per cent increase from the same period last year. Finance Minister Datuk Seri…