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KOTA KINABALU: Local talents are encouraged to use their artistic works to promote the beauty of Sabah through songs and music videos. Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said such a strategy would be effective in drawing tourists. "Sabah, for example, features a plethora of picturesque landscapes that can entice visitors to the state. "Local creative industry players should incorporate them into their works, whether through songwriting, dance choreography, or video production, among others," he said at the launching of Oh Kinabalu song and music video yesterday. (more…)

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board applauds local filmmakers for their efforts to promote the state and its rural destinations in their work. On Wednesday, a group led by film producer Chester Pang met with Sabah Tourism chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to discuss the state’s film tourism potential. They also discussed their plans to showcase Sabah’s charms through movies and the making of a promotional video that would spark the public’s interest in the state. Among the works are a video clip “Discover Kiulu” and a feature-length Mandarin comedy film ‘Craze Below The Wind’. “This is a good effort to raise awareness of Sabah’s numerous attractions and stimulate people’s curiosity about them,” said Joniston, who is also Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. (more…)

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) encourages business event (BE) organisers to get assistance from them to hold national and international events in the state. Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said both STB and the stakeholders should work collaboratively to prepare for the return of business events as the country's international borders have reopened. Speaking at the "BE Get Together" dinner reception here yesterday, Joniston believes Sabah is expected to hold more events in the near future as the state had allocated a RM5 million grant for the 'Sabah: BE here for you' campaign in 2020. (more…)

TUARAN: The positioning of Kiulu as Sabah's community-based eco-tourism activities hub is further strengthened with the development of three newest adventure products in the district. The products are the Ratau Camp Site in Kampung Ratau, the Sangod-Hill hiking trail in Kampung Lokub, and the Watu Kokoluton hiking trail in Kampung Talantang. It was established via the Sabah Community Adoption Programme project, carried out by non-governmental organisation Rythm Foundation and Good Shepherd Services, with the participation of the local community. Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the new products had the potential to attract more visitors and adventure seekers to explore Kiulu. (more…)

KUDAT: Rural communities are urged to upgrade their skills and acquire digital marketing expertise as a means of promoting their tourism products or attractions. State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said digital marketing is the way forward to promote businesses in this technology-driven era. “For the tourism business, internet marketing is more important than ever before, as clients can instantly find out about the latest deals, greatest pricing, and must-visit places. “To be competitive in today’s tourism market, digital marketing is becoming a need, and rural tourism players must embrace the need to equip themselves with information technology (IT) knowledge,” he said at the digital marketing training for Kampung Tajau Laut community here. on Saturday. (more…)