News
Travel fair to promote domestic tourism
The Sabah Malaysia International Travel Mart (MITM) Travel Fair 2025 will be held on August 22-24 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The three-day event is organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, will officiate the event. MCTA Sabah Chairman Vincent Sia…
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…
Sabah taps RBA network to boost tourism
The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is tapping into Royal Brunei Airlines’ (RBA) expanding network to boost arrivals to the state. Last year, RBA carried 46,275 passengers to Kota Kinabalu, accounting for a modest 2.43 per cent of total arrivals. RBA’s growing flight network covering Asean, North Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, the UK and beyond …
Sabah to boost CBT ahead of VMY26
Sabah is gearing up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Explore Sabah 2026/2027 by promoting authentic, inclusive, and sustainable tourism experiences. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the focus is on boosting community-based tourism (CBT) and adopting innovative strategies to benefit local communities. At the launch of the two-day (June 28-29)…
Digital drive to push Sabah tourism
Tourism Malaysia (TM) Sabah is ramping up its digital marketing efforts to strengthen the state’s tourism recovery ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. State Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said they are adopting digital and innovative strategies to increase visibility for Sabah and Labuan. “We are confident that an e-commerce travel platform will enhance awareness and access,”…
Feature film on elephant to raise awareness
Agatis: A Borneo Story (AABS), which is set to begin filming between August and September this year, has received support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said support would come from the Sabah Wildlife Department, as the elephant is an endangered species. “It will be the first ever…
Tourism drives Sabah’s growth
Tourism remains the backbone of Sabah’s economy, generating over 380,000 jobs and contributing 15 per cent to the state’s GDP last year. In 2023 alone, the sector added RM13.1 billion to the economy. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the real impact of tourism goes beyond numbers, touching lives and supporting families. He highlighted…
Historic gibbon birth in captivity marks conservation milestone
Manis and Candyman, a rescued pair of North Bornean gibbons, have made history with the birth of a male baby in captivity—the first ever recorded. The newborn, named Nabalu, was born at 5:20 am on May 8, 2025, at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site in Kampung Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud. The birth…
Senior singing contest to promote Sabah
Fifty singers and about 50 supporters will take part in a senior solo singing contest, Voice in the Shadows – Our Concert, aimed at boosting tourism. “This small event can have a big impact,” said Main Organising Chairperson Datuk Eliza Goh, adding, music videos from the show showcasing Sabah attractions will be released nationwide and…
Cultural experience welcoming for visitors
Tourism Malaysia Sabah marked the Kaamatan Festival with a cultural welcome event at KKIA for arriving visitors on May 30, ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. A total of 27 flights arrived, bringing an estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic travellers who were warmly greeted with cultural festivities. Visitors enjoyed the Murut tribe’s…