PUTRAJAYA: The hotel industry in Sabah suffered hefty losses of RM11,550,605 million following the cancellations of 32,392 rooms for bookings from January 22 till March 16, 2020 after the outbreak of Covid-19. The amount recorded by Sabah was the second highest after Kuala Lumpur which suffered losses amounting to RM23,021,301 million from the cancellations of…
Nestled on tranquil Libaran Island, the Walai Penyu Conservation Park in Sandakan continues making strides in turtle protection and community empowerment. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai visited the island to witness the impactful synergy between the conservation park and the local community. Present were Alexander Yee, founder and managing director of…
Sabah’s proactive efforts to promote community-driven tourism in rural areas have received accolades from the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA). ECTAA Secretary-General, Erik Dresin, praised the initiative during a “Sustainability Exchange” session organised by the Malaysian Travel and Tours Association (MATTA) at the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show. Dresin…
Positive momentum moving into second-half 2020 SEPANG, 24 JUNE 2020 – AirAsia registered its highest post-hibernation sale day yesterday, with a record-breaking 41,000 seats sold in a single day across AirAsia Group, signifying a strong rebound in demand for air travel. AirAsia’s website is experiencing traffic growth of 170%. Some of the most popular routes…
Sabah is set to end 2023 with a flourish, featuring a variety of cultural events throughout December. Launched by Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, the DEC-Cover Sabah Campaign aims to boost the state’s tourism sector. Liew invites everyone to partake in the festivities, emphasising the celebration’s focus on Sabah’s cultural richness and…
The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark offers numerous benefits and economic opportunities for around 291,300 residents in Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Ranau. Covering 4,750 square kilometres and involving 423 villages, it provides avenues for increased income through tourism and cultural preservation. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, highlighted the positive impacts, such as business opportunities…
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism workers who lost their source of income from the spike of COVID-19 pandemic will receive a one-off RM300 aid from the Sabah Government. The budget amounting to RM1,187,100 million was part of the government additional RM160 million Bantuan Prihatin COVID-19 announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on October 28. The…
Sabah’s tour companies and hotels reaped nearly RM3 million in sales at the recent three-day Matta Fair in Kuala Lumpur. Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai highlighted Semporna as the most sought-after destination. He added that the Sabah tourism team also observed strong interest in nature-based attractions…
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should look into hosting a symposium on modern and contemporary art, said Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Such conference, he said, has the potential to draw a larger crowd and will pique the interest of everyone, including tourists. “Sabah has played host to several significant expositions and…
The Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) recently conducted its first responders’ cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills (CPR) training programme in the midst of the wilderness in Danum Valley. The programme aimed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergency situations. It is essential for individuals to know how to act during a…