Tag - Tourism

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has launched the Go Sabah app, the first official State tourism interactive app in the country. In a statement Friday, the board said the app was for smart phones and tablets for visitors in Sabah. "The app offers quick information of tourism attractions, facilities and a global positioning system-enabled features that guide users to the nearest facility or outlet within a 2km radius," it said. Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said the trend in the travel industry changed very fast. "We must be one step ahead and not play the same tune all the time. We will promote this app overseas," he said at the launch of the app. The app was jointly launched by Minister of Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Datuk Hasan Malek and Masidi at the World Islamic Travel Mart-Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents Fair 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Friday. Also present were Chairman of STB, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, MATTA Vice President (Inbound) and STB Board Director, KL Tan and MATTA President Hamzah Rahmat. Source : Daily Express

Readers of SmartTravelAsia.com recently voted Sabah as Best Holiday Destination in the 2013 Best in Travel online poll. The achievement of being Top Ten in this list was a first for Sabah, sharing the spot with Kerala (India), Koh Samui (Thailand) and Singapore. Presenting the award to Sabah Tourism officials is Tenzing Thondup, Research & Marketing Manager of SmartTravelAsia.com.

KOTA KINABALU: Sailors from China will be visiting Sabah officially for the first time from Aug 18 – 22 as part of the state and the republic’s goodwill promotion efforts. A total of 360 crew members on board the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy - Zhang He – is also part of Sabah and China’s effort to promote tourism between both nations. The Defence attache with the Embassy of China, Senior Colonel Chen Wei has appointed Sabah Ma Zhong Friendship Association to help facilitate and coordinate matters relating to the ship’s visit. Sabah Ma Zhong president, Dr Oh Ei Sun said they would work closely with the authorities of both countries to make the historic visit a resounding success. “I hope this visit will not only promote Sabah as a tourist destination but showcase the rapid development and stability of the state under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s leadership,” he said on Friday. The ship was supposed to dock in Kota Kinabalu earlier but has been slightly delayed due to the recent typhoon, which hit the southern part of China and the Philippines. Meanwhile, this visit also signifies the importance of Malaysia and China’s close historical relationship, and a prelude to the upcoming visit of its president, Xi JinPing to the country. Source: The Star

KOTA KINABALU: It is high time that China and Sabah seriously explore room for cooperation and exchanges, said Ma Zhong Friendship Association of Sabah president Dr Oh Ei Sun. Oh said a series of China’s top leaders also visited Sabah over the last year, and he was happy to note that Sabah was now firmly within the focus of China’s tourists and investors. “China is now the world’s second largest economy, and Sabah has always been a land full of talents, resources and opportunities,” he said. Thus, it was high time for both countries to explore opportunities for cooperation and exchanges, he added. Oh said his colleagues and him decided to form the Ma Zhong Friendship Association Sabah to promote even closer ties between the peoples of China and Sabah. “We will proactively arrange and facilitate even more cultural, educational, and commercial exchanges between China and Sabah, Malaysia with the ultimate aim of creating win-win and all-win situations to benefit all of us!” Oh said this at the welcoming dinner in honour of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval ship Zheng He’s visit to Sabah here on Tuesday evening. The event was graced by Speaker of Sabah State Assembly Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Mohammed Salleh bin Tun Said Keruak. Oh said PLA naval ship Zheng He’s first and historic visit to Sabah marked another momentous milestone in Malaysia-China relation. “Indeed, recently when I appeared on Phoenix TV in Hong Kong, I emphasized the importance for China to make more friends among her neighbours, and especially in Southeast Asia. “And indeed, Malaysia has been a close friend of China since almost 40 years ago when Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai took the bold and historic step of establishing diplomatic relationship between the two countries.” However, he pointed out that China and Malaysia’s close ties went much further back. More than 600 years ago, Admiral Zheng He led a huge armada to visit the South Seas for more than seven times, and on almost every trip, the armada will stop by what is now Malaysia, spreading friendship and promoting trade along the way, he said. “It is therefore especially auspicious that today a modern China ship bearing the name Zheng He is visiting us in Sabah, hopefully renewing our close ties and building new friendships.” Oh also thanked the opportunity granted by the Embassy of China in Malaysia and the Ambassador His Excellency Mr Chai Xi, the Defence Attaché Office of the embassy and the Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Chen Wei, the Consulate General of China in Kuching and the Consul General His Excellency Mr Li Shugang, for rendering the opportunity for the association to assist in organizing this historic visit. Also present at the event were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) president Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau, City Hall director general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Michael Lui, KTS Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng, as well as local community and association leaders including Datuk Yii Ching Siew, Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Datuk Chau Tet On, Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai, Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, Datuk Agnes Shim and Frankie Liew. Source: Borneo Post  

Kota Kinabalu: The public is urged to come and watch the inaugural Sabah Governor's Cup Invitational Rugby 15s which will be held at the Likas Stadium from Aug 23-25. The three-day competition will feature four teams with Eagle Rugby Club of Sandakan representing the State against Sarawak, Brunei and Labuan. At a press conference held on Tuesday, Sabah Rugby Union Deputy President Dr K.H.Tan who is also the Malaysian Rugby Union Vice President thanked the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin for giving his consent to organise the tournament under his name. He said despite the heavy schedule in their annual calendar, the State body are of the opinion that having another major tournament in the State will give the game an extra boost and the main purpose is to bring together the best teams in the country as well as those from the region in an annual event that will showcase the progress of the respective teams. "We are starting with a modest scale this year with only four teams but the players from each team are the cream of the country or state and they will have many expatriates who are professionals as well as guest players from other top rugby nations." "I can assure that every future edition of this tournament will be progressively better in terms of participation and standard. In fact, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines were interested to participate but had to withdraw as the date clashes with their prior commitments and they have ensured us that they will be present next year." He added that the tournament will also provide the perfect platform for the State players to prove that they are at least at par if not better than the region's bests. "There is also a golden opportunity for the hundreds of school children currently involved in the Sabah Academy for Rugby Excellence to witness the region's top ruggers live in action." "The exposure should further whet their appetite for the game and encourage them to train harder." Tan also expressed his thanks to the support given by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry as well as the contribution and co-operation from other government agencies and statutory bodies and the sponsors. Present at the press conference were Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Masiung Baniah, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming, Youth and Sports Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary Penyuki Matta and representative from the State Education Department Zainal Madi. Meanwhile, the opening ceremony will be officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan at 6pm on Friday while Juhar is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on Sunday at 5pm before the final. Source: Daily Express