News
Airlines to impose fuel surcharge amid Middle East conflict
Travel agencies have been told to prepare for a rise in travel prices following the global fuel price hike caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Airworld Travel and Tour chairman Winston Liaw Kit Siong said China Southern Airlines has issued a notice on the implementation of a fuel surcharge starting on April 6. “Based…
Proposal to build cable car will be evaluated
The proposal to build the Kinabalu cable car project in Kundasang will be evaluated carefully and comprehensively, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin. He said the assessment would be guided by the principle of conservation first as the primary basis of consideration. Jafry said this after receiving a courtesy call from a…
STB to set up crisis unit to steer the industry
The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will set up a tourism crisis response unit to steer the industry through growing global uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict and rising operating costs. Chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit will head the unit, and assisted by his deputy Humphrey Ginibun who will assume the role of chief…
Sabah to develop stand-up paddleboarding sport tourism
Sabah is stepping up its push to become a hub for water sports tourism, actively supporting the growth of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) over the past two years. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah’s commitment to the sport was reinforced during the flag-off of the Borneo International SUP Marathon 2026 at a…
Sabah tourism feels rising fuel prices
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said rising global fuel prices are beginning to impact Sabah’s tourism sector, particularly in transportation and connectivity. “As a destination that relies heavily on air, land and sea access, the pressure on our industry players is real and immediate,” he said. He said the state government will…
Revisit sister-city ties to boost tourism, culture, economy
China’s Consulate-General in Kota Kinabalu has expressed support for revisiting sister-city partnerships to strengthen tourism, cultural and economic ties with Sabah, including exploring new areas of collaboration. Its Consul-General, Dr Zhu Xinglong, said maintaining strong and continuous links can bring mutual benefits, including opportunities for knowledge exchange, community development and sustainable growth. He said this…
Tenom Wesak Day to draw 800 visitors
About 800 devotees and tourists are expected to attend the 2026 state-level Wesak Day celebration in Tenom on May 30 and 31. A 6.5km charity run will also be held on May 30, open to public participation, said event chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw during a courtesy call on Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive…
1,500 passengers touch down at KKIA
Tourism Malaysia welcomed 1,500 international and domestic passengers on the third day of Hari Raya celebrations at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia (VM) 2026. The travellers arrived on 21 flights from Singapore, Incheon, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan between 12pm and 4pm, said Tourism, Arts and…
Chongqing-Kota Kinabalu flights begin thrice weekly service
Sabah’s push to boost tourist arrivals received a lift with the launch of a direct service from Chongqing to Kota Kinabalu, which brought in 154 passengers on Thursday. The flight, operated by Chongqing Airlines, a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines, makes Chongqing the eighth Chinese city with direct links to Kota Kinabalu. The…
Satta elects new chairman, committee for 2026-28
Justin Chong of Chong Fui Travel has been elected the new chairman of the Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) for the 2026–2028 term. He garnered 19 votes to defeat incumbent Dato’ Seri Winston Liaw, who secured 10 votes, during the association’s annual general meeting attended by 29 members at a hotel here….