Gaya Island villages turning into tourism attractions

A vibrant transformation is taking place on Gaya Island, where water villages are turning into tourism attractions through a community-driven effort. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai praised the Meraki Daat Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, for actively engaging Gaya Island residents in reimagining their homes as potential community-based tourism destinations. This follows…

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Hong Kong star to promote Sabah tourism for VM2026

Hong Kong personality Hugo Wong has been roped in to promote Sabah’s rural tourism in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and Visit Sabah 2027. This followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), appointing him as corporate social responsibility strategic partner, with Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah chairman Vincent Sia at…

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Sabah strengthens cultural tourism through Murut centre in Tenom

Sabah is stepping up efforts to promote cultural tourism through the development of the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre Project in Tenom (PKMST), said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin. He said the State Government remains committed to empowering heritage-based tourism by preserving the cultural identity of the Murut community while enhancing the sector’s long-term…

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Traveloka wants to tie up with STB

Indonesia’s fast-growing tech company, Traveloka, seeks to collaborate with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to promote rural community tourism products globally. During the UNWTO General Assembly, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai discussed this potential partnership with Traveloka’s founder and vice president. They aim to advance sustainable community tourism initiatives. Traveloka, established…

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BRL marks Earth Hour with conservation initiatives

In a bid to promote environmental awareness, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL), nestled in Danum Valley, Lahad Datu, hosted a series of activities from March 15 to 22 in conjunction with Earth Hour 2025. The initiative featured a candle-lighting ceremony as a symbolic gesture to highlight energy conservation, said BRL Chief Executive Officer Freddie Coleman….

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Sabah achieved a new record for having the most nations involved in a tree planting programme

The Sabah Forestry Department set a new Malaysia Book of Records by having the most nations participating in a tree-planting programme at the International Friendship Garden in the Kawang Forest Reserve on Nov 16. Delegates from 44 nations, participating in the 26th Miss Tourism International 2023 engaged in the tree planting activities. The crowning event…

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