Author - walterjohn

The boat race will be flagged off by the Organising Committee of KYC on Feb 25 at 11am and the prize presentation cum closing ceremony will be held on the next day at 5pm which will be graced by Sabah Tourism Board Chairman, Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Abidin.

Sailing as a sport also contributes to tourism as it is classified as Sport Tourism and is value added tourism as young sailors are normally accompanied by families, coaches and managers who will stay here for many days prior to the event to get used to the sea and weather.

The event had become one of the "ranking" races of the State where most sailors for a place in the State team must take part to get a rank.

Many sailors throughout the State and from Navy, Labuan as well as Indonesia are expected to participate in the annual event.

This event is held traditionally in the month of February which was the month Kota Kinabalu was elevated to City status ten years ago and also coincides with the North East winds which is the strongest wind in the year.

The classes of dinghies include International 470, International 420, lasers as well as optimists.

For many optimist sailors, the event will be a selection for a series of races for the MSSM team to represent Sabah at the MSSM sailing competition.

The sailors will be required to sail a prescribed course in the sea and several races will be carried out with the winner based on the results of all the races.

Trophies and medals will be awarded different categories of the sailboats gender separation for some classes for example the Optimist and Laser Classes.

The public are welcome to witness the two-day event which is aimed at providing exposure for Sabah sailors while promoting water sports tourism in the State.

For further information please contact admin office at 088-240070, 243070 during office hours or email at kyctaru1@streamyx.com.

Source: Daily Express

The work scopes include replacing the dilapidated stalls built many years ago and construction of a new toilet block, equipped with modern facilities.

Abidin said he is confident that the upgraded facilities at Kionsom waterfall would give an added value to the popular spot among local visitors and enhance the State’s tourism.

The upgrading works, he added was also timely in view of the Kionsom waterfall site becoming more and more popular as a tourists attraction.

He however expressed his hope that the new facilities, especially the toilet would be properly managed by the present management to ensure it serves the intended purpose.

Accompanying the mayor during the site visit were engineering director Lee Tet Fon and senior engineer Kalvin Liaw.

Source: Borneo Post

The Lonely Planet information and tourism portal has named Malaysia as one of the 10 countries good to visit, she said when addressing a Chinese New Year gathering near here Saturday night.

The event was officiated by the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

“The tourism industry has promoted Malaysia well in the eyes of the world. In fact, it is the fifth largest contributor to national revenue,” Dr Ng said.

The MP for Raub said Pahang is blessed with an attractive natural environment and peaceful surroundings which make the state a major tourist destination.

“Last year, up to September, Pahang recorded 9.3 million tourist arrivals, and Raub registered 91,868 arrivals.

“In Raub, we have the Raub Lake Gardens, the pleasant Fraser’s Hill, the popular Jarum Waterfalls picnic spot and the Besu Rapids which attracts kayak and camping enthusiasts,” she said.

Dr Ng said Pahang has been allocated RM40.27 million under the Tenth Malaysia Plan for development projects state-wide to promote tourism.

About 10,000 people attended the Chinese New Year event, which also featured songs, acrobatics and fireworks.

Source: Bernama