KOTA KINABALU: April 30, 2026 Sabah tourism grew 17.7 per cent, with strategies to strengthen markets and prepare for Visit Sabah Year 2027 amid global challenges, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin in his winding-up speech at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting . Current Challenges in the tourism sector The year…
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac) in collaboration with the state’s stakeholders held a special meeting to address accidents involving tourists in Sabah. This was following over 13 cases have been reported, includes the capsizing of a boat in Timba-Timba Island and a drowning incident involving foreign tourists in Kudat in July, recently….
Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew has urged the parties affected by the suspension of flights, including tourists travelling to or leaving Sabah, to be patient. It was reported that the volcano’s eruption shot ash plumes nearly 70,000 feet high, she said. “Be patient. The magnitude of the phenomenon was unforeseen and beyond our…
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said a Japanese keen to build an elephant wildlife corridor in Kinabatangan, contributing for wildlife preservation. The investor, motivated by a love for wildlife, has purchased land for the project, without asking any charges from the state. Speaking at the Matta Fair Sabah at SICC on April…
The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) held engagement with countries that issued travel advisory against visiting the east coast of Sabah. Its Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai chaired the engagement in Kuala Lumpur on May 20 to update the embassies on the security measures. Among those in attendance were European Union Deputy Head of Delegation Timo Goosman,…
Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar has been appointed as the new director general of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), effective from 12 April 2023. He has replaced Datuk Zainuddin Abdul Wahab, who retired on 10 April 2023 after reaching the compulsory retirement age. Ammar has been serving in Tourism Malaysia for 35 years…
SEMPORNA: May 8, 2026 Semporna needs comprehensive planning to transform it into a premier tourism hub within the blue economy sector, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji said the district is unique as it is home to world-renowned tourist destinations, particularly Sipadan Island, as well as other islands that continue to attract visitors….
Kalabakan district holds potential as a new tourism destination for Borneo pygmy elephant enthusiasts, says Datuk Christina Liew, the Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister. She envisions Kalabakan becoming a tourist hotspot through unified efforts to preserve these iconic elephants. Pygmy elephants can already be observed in various Sabah destinations, including the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife…
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…