News
Reviving Mazu project to boost tourism
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…
Christina is new Matta Sabah chairman for 2023-25
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…
US travel advisory downgraded
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…
South Korean visitors to Sabah on the rise
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has reported a significant increase in South Korean tourist arrivals in the first month of 2023. With 21,541 visitors recorded, this marks a significant increase compared to the 55,152 South Korean tourists who visited Sabah throughout the entire year of 2022. Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and…
Sabah pavilion receives positive reception at Matta Travel Fair
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah pavilion was among the busiest at the recent Matta Travel Fair, with visitors flocking to make inquiries and purchase travel packages. Sabah had the largest presence at the fair, with 45 travel and tour agents in attendance. According to Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, the positive reception…
North Borneo Race to highlight Kota Kinabalu’s historical landmarks
KOTA KINABALU: Organized by the KSRun Athletics Club, the North Borneo Race is an exciting running event that will take place in Kota Kinabalu city in September. The race is limited to 70 teams, each consisting of four people. Participants will embark on a nostalgic journey, where they will have to decipher riddles to reach…
Sabah racial, religious harmony to be showcased to tourists
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants to promote its diverse multi-ethnic religious society and harmonious co-existence as a tourism product. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the places of worship in Sabah which is located in close proximity is a unique feature for tourists to see. He cited the State Mosque, Sacred Heart…
STB wins top award at ATHA
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah tourism industry received a boost when the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) won the 2022 most outstanding tourism board award at the inaugural Asian Tourism and Hospitality Awards (ATHA) ceremony. The event was held during the 2022-2023 ATHA, which was co-organised by TIN MEDIA (Malaysia’s First Independent Travel Trade Media) and Asia Hospitality…
8 cruise ships will call on Sabah in 2023
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah expect to welcome eight cruise ships this year following the first arrival of Seabourn Encore at Sabah Port in Feb this year. The cruise liner brought in over 1,000 passengers on board via Boracay, Philippines to mark the first landing in Sabah since 2020, before international borders closed to curb the spread…
Hong Kong musician keen to perform in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The Hong Kong International Musician Association expressed keenness to hold a music symposium in Sabah. Its chief executive officer Jye Lee mulled the idea to hold a Sabah Borneo International Music Festival that features competitions, forums and masterclasses, among others. Jye told this to Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai…