News

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s tourism industry may suffer from higher airfares during festive seasons. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said with an increase in flight frequencies to Sabah, airline companies should keep their fares affordable, so as not to deter tourists from visiting Sabah. Liew has received complaints from East Malaysians who…

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah film production company, Vinoun Films, has created an educational colouring guidebook for Rajawali Homes in Kota Marudu. The book features fun activities and attractions along the way from Kota Belud to Kudat division area. The complimentary activity book includes two main bird characters, Kondiu (eagle) and Odu (grandmother) dressed in traditional Kadazandusun…

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah adventure tour guide Tham Yau Kong,  has been awarded an honorary Medal of the Order of Australia for his work in keeping alive the memory of the sacrifice of Australian prisoners of war who died during the Sandakan-Ranau death march. Tham has led politicians including Australia former  prime minister Scott Morrison, diplomats…

KOTA KINABALU: Kampung Natai in Telipok has been identified as a promising site for community-based tourism. The 101-hectare land is located within the Crocker range biosphere reserve, just 36km away from Kota Kinabalu. During a community-based tourism advocacy programme at Tamaza ACV, City Hall’s tourism director, Fauziaton Ag Samad, recommended that relevant departments and the…

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) has expressed its support for the proposed revival of the stalled Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) project in Kudat. The association believes the project would benefit Sabah’s tourism industry and improve the livelihood of many in Kudat, which is currently ranked among Sabah’s poorest…

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam has expressed support for the proposed construction of a 32m statue of Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, in Kudat. He believes that it would bring economic benefits and attract tourists to the state. The project, which was first proposed in 2005 by former…

KOTA KINABALU: Former chief minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat believes the revived 108-foot Mazu Statue in Kudat would attract millions of tourists and protect seafarers. Chong credits the statue as an important icon for Kudat and Sabah’s tourism, not religion. He cited the Quan Yin statue’s success in Sanya, which attracts 10 million visitors…

KOTA KINABALU: Christina Wahida Kong has been elected as the new Chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sabah Chapter for the 2023-2025 term. The association 33rd annual general meeting held at a hotel here saw her succeed former Chairman, Lawrence Chin. With over 2,000 active members, Matta is Malaysia’s largest…

KOTA KINABALU: Sandakan MP Vivian Wong has praised the United States Department’s decision to downgrade its travel advisory to East Sabah. She has called for other countries, including the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, to review their travel advisories, which still advise against non-essential travel. Wong has also urged for the establishment…