Author - Trainee STB/KePKAS

PENAMPANG: The technical team of Dorak Holding on a familiarisation trip to Sabah was mesmerised by its diversity of sights and sounds.Dorak Holding is the biggest tourism player in Turkey.The first-time visitors are Turkey Hot Air Balloons’ Flight Instructor and Pilot, Yuksel Erkin, Project Director Eda Basaran, English Translator/Business Development Assistant, Merve Seda Babaiban, and Dorak Tour General Manager, Aylin Tsai who is based in Taiwan.“This is the first time we have set foot on Sabah, and are experiencing something like this (Keehoi: Cultural Evening). We really enjoyed the cultural show because this is the first time we are watching this show. “We are very happy to be hosted. This is a beautiful sight. We thank the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment (Datuk Christina Liew) and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) for hosting us tonight (Monday).“We have left our hearts in Sabah, and we will come back again,” said the foursome when met at the premiere of Keehoi: Cultural Evening, organised by the Sabah Cultural Board under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.The event held at the Sabah Cultural Centre here is Liew’s “brainchild” which aims to transform the Sabah Cultural Centre here into a new tourist destination.Welcoming the visitors to Sabah, Mohd Shafie, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Shuryani Shuaib, said: “When people visit a certain place, they want to see the people of that place. It is events like this that showcase the people and their varied culture.” He commended his deputy for the initiative.Liew gave the Sabah Cultural Board general manager, Mansur Asun, a pat on the back for a job well done.“Keehoi Cultural Evening” is a series of dance performances showcasing the unique multi-cultures, festivals, myths and livelihood of the indigenous people of Sabah. The performances based on legend and folklore portray how Mount Kinabalu derived its name, the history of Kinabatangan and the story of Huminodun, among others As the emcee put it, “Keehoi basically means an expression of joy which is usually used during an assembly or big gathering. This expression also serves as a lead to the dancers during the “Sumazau” and “Mangunatip” to change direction or position during the dance.”Also present were Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu, Krishna Jjelani, Consul of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Kako, Minister of Education and Innovation, Datuk Dr Yusof Yaacob, Minister of Health and People’s Well-being, Datuk Frankie Poon, Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation, Jenifer Lasimbang, Assistant Minister of Law and Native Affairs, Jannie Lasimbang, Chairman of STB, Ken Pan Ying On, Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board, Datuk Ismaily Bungsu, Chairman of Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, Mohd Amin Abdul Mem, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, William Baya and STB general manager Noredah Othman.Eda, who specialises in ‘Destination Wedding’, told Liew after the show: “You (Sabah) are better than Maldives 100pc.Sabah is virgin and beautiful. The mountain, islands, sandy beaches, sunset, all are unique.” She has no doubt that Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa is a perfect place for weddings. “Previously, I have arranged for 15 Indian weddings in Turkey. I will definitely recommend the resort & spa to would-be couples.”Prior to the Sabah trip, Eda, who knew very little about Sabah, had found out through Google that Mt Kinabalu is the highest peak in Southeast Asia. “I also learned that Sipadan Island is a world-class diving spot and one of the best in the world.”  Yuksel, an expert on hot air balloons, chipped in to say “Sabah has everything”. He visited a few proposed Hot Air Balloon sites such as Mimpian Jadi. “I am very happy to be here. Thank you for everything, your hospitality, different cultures and nice beaches. I will come again.”Merve commented: “It’s a great experience for me. It’s really great to have that much culture, all combined together. Nice show, all these colours, all the smiling faces.”Aylin felt at home in Sabah, saying “We are in safe hands” (in apparent reference to Ken and Marketing Manager Humphrey Ginibun). She was impressed by the colourful cultural night, saying that different tribes can get together to perform dances. “That is amazing. I like their dazzling costumes very much,” she remarked, adding that she enjoyed the flavour of food served by the host.Dorak Holding originated in 1971 with the establishment of Dorak Tours which provided services in the tourism industry.Dorak Tours is one of the first travel companies in Turkey, offering holidays, cultural tours, city escapes, golf and adventure. The company grew into an establishment of group of companies in 2002 which then evolved into a holding company by 2011.As Liew bade goodbye to the visiting group, she said: “Please come back to Sabah again. We have everything under the sun, just name it. Our doors are always open. By next year, we will have new tourism products.” Source: Daily Express