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Sabah generated total sales of RM5,098,153.74 at the recent Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair in Kuala Lumpur, reflecting strong demand among domestic travellers. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the strong sales performance would encourage Sabah’s continued participation in major travel fairs to boost visitor arrivals. “The Matta…

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sabah is collaborating with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to advance community-based initiatives to promote sustainable tourism. Organising chairman Mohd Azlan Saleh Abd Salam said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering local communities while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Sabah’s tourism sector. “These efforts…

Sabah is positioning the Kaamatan Festival as the next major tourism pull at the Matta Fair at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur. The Sabah Tourism Board (STB), together with 37 Sabah-based travel agencies involving more than 100 booths, is participating in the fair, offering a wide range of travel…

Travel agencies have been told to prepare for a rise in travel prices following the global fuel price hike caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Airworld Travel and Tour chairman Winston Liaw Kit Siong said China Southern Airlines has issued a notice on the implementation of a fuel surcharge starting on April 6. “Based…

The proposal to build the Kinabalu cable car project in Kundasang will be evaluated carefully and comprehensively, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin. He said the assessment would be guided by the principle of conservation first as the primary basis of consideration. Jafry said this after receiving a courtesy call from a…

The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will set up a tourism crisis response unit to steer the industry through growing global uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict and rising operating costs. Chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit will head the unit, and assisted by  his deputy Humphrey Ginibun who will assume the role of chief…

Sabah is stepping up its push to become a hub for water sports tourism, actively supporting the growth of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) over the past two years. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah’s commitment to the sport was reinforced during the flag-off of the Borneo International SUP Marathon 2026 at a…

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said rising global fuel prices are beginning to impact Sabah’s tourism sector, particularly in transportation and connectivity. “As a destination that relies heavily on air, land and sea access, the pressure on our industry players is real and immediate,” he said. He said the state government will…

China’s Consulate-General in Kota Kinabalu has expressed support for revisiting sister-city partnerships to strengthen tourism, cultural and economic ties with Sabah, including exploring new areas of collaboration. Its Consul-General, Dr Zhu Xinglong, said maintaining strong and continuous links can bring mutual benefits, including opportunities for knowledge exchange, community development and sustainable growth. He said this…

About 800 devotees and tourists are expected to attend the 2026 state-level Wesak Day celebration in Tenom on May 30 and 31. A 6.5km charity run will also be held on May 30, open to public participation, said event chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw during a courtesy call on Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive…