26Jul

Tourism players hoping Kunak made a destination

Kunak: Local tourism industry players in the district are hoping for cooperation and opportunities to explore the potential of regional tourism products in Kunak, especially in areas that have yet to be developed as a tourist destination. Many tourism products in Kunak have not been explored like Baturong Cave (pre-history cave) and hot springs (Sungang and Jeleta Bumi hotsprings at Tingkayu). In the same development, Kunak NT Adventure Sdn Bhd communications supervisor, Azriana Basri said Sarinah Beach area in Pangi is now in the observation of tourism industry players to study how far the area is able to attract visitors. "Currently, we have received the arrival of tourists from China who come to the Madai Cave and some are looking at local products such as salak fruits grown by locals," Azriana said. The tourism industry, if developed, can generate the local economy, including traditional food, handicraft and manufacturing IKS, as well as the growth of homestays that open job opportunities to youths and those interested in the related fields. Meanwhile Azriana said Kunak NT Adventure is moving forward in the effort to promote and further develop eco-tourism related industries in the region. She said the company currently offers several packages and services including homestay, scuba diving, and tours to Madai Caves and Madai Waterfalls, hiking 'itan peak Madai'. According to her, Kunak NT Adventures is providing its official facebook page for those who want to know about the services available. Azriana said homestay lodging is available in the Kunak town area where visitors can easily visit the destination of their choice. Meanwhile, Kunak Adun, Norazlinah Arif said that Kunak will face changes when the tourism industry is developed in the area. - Ibrahim Tabir Source: Daily Express
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
04Jul

Kampung Kopungit to become tourist attraction?

Deputy chief minister Christina Liew said this was based on the hilly village’s potential, including a viewing spot to enjoy sunsets. “Kampung Kopungit has the potential to be turned into a tourist attraction due to beautiful sunsets, the hiking location which is becoming more popular as well as tunnel ruins from World War II era. “We will do some research to consider development proposal as a tourism village,” she said when answering Phoong Jin Zhe’s (DAP-Luyang) question regarding the village’s current status and future plans. Liew, who is state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said it had been gazetted as a native village and housed a diverse community of Kadazandusun, Chinese and Bajau. Responding to an additional query from Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Umno-Apas) on tourism developments in Tawau, Liew said this was also in progress She said the Ministry was in the midst of developing a special tourism package for Tawau and a charter flight service to the city to bring in more tourists especially from China. “We will turn Tawau into a hotspot for Sabah like Kota Kinabalu. There are a lot of attractions there such as the hot springs and the highest tree in Sabah,” she said. Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
05Jun

Promoting Sabah as a whole for tourism industry – Liew

TAWAU: The district is in for some major changes as efforts to develop tourism industry in the state will not be concentrated in a few major areas such as Mount Kinabalu or Sipadan island but the whole of Sabah in line with the increasing number of tourist arrivals, especially from China. Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew said effort should be put into the venture to promote other places and to make the state a holistic tourist destination. She said Tawau should no longer label itself as a transit point but capitalize on getting tourists visiting nearby Semporna to stay there as part of the tour. “I am looking for a plan to set up a cultural market in the district which will be part of the tourism attraction apart from what we already have,” she said. Christina, who is also the state’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said the market concept will introduce the various cultures and she will discuss the matter with the district municipal council’s president soon. “At the same time I am going to meet up with tourism operators around the state to see if Sabah as a whole can be made as a tourism venue,” she added. Christina however stressed that beautification and setting up of infrastructures to accommodate tourists is needed if the effort is implemented. She said both the district and Sandakan have the attractions needed to lure in tourists but additional infrastructures such as hotels, chalets and other forms of accommodation are lacking.   Source : The Borneo Post
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
05Jun

Liew wants to create more tourism hotspots in Sabah.

KOTA KINABALU: Newly-appointed Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew wants to create hotspots in focus areas, such as Sandakan and Tawau, that have potential to draw in tourists to further boost the sector. Liew, who is also Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said such efforts to further boost the growth of the tourism industry in the two districts would also help residents generate income and improve the local economy as well as providing job opportunities. Citing Tawau as an example, she said the setting up of a visitors' hotspot would enable Tawau to be not merely a transit location for tourists before proceeding to Semporna. “Hence, hotspot locations should be created including making Tawau a hub for cheap and fresh seafood to entice tourists to stay there for two or three days before heading elsewhere,” she told reporters after attending the state Cabinet meeting chaired by new Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the State Administrative Centre. Liew said she would meet with heads of department under her ministry next week to obtain more information on the development of the tourism sector in Sabah. On another note, Liew, who is also Api Api assemblyman and Tawau MP, assured the people of Sabah that she would do her best as well as fulfil her manifesto aspirations by being transparent and responsible with the mandate given to her. — Bernama Source : The Star Online
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
02May

Sabah CM launches month-long Kaamatan festival

KENINGAU: The annual Kaamatan festival is a showcase of Sabah’s multi-ethnic community, which lives in peace and unity, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said today. Celebrated mainly by the state’s Kadazandusun and Murut communities, the event is an expression of thanksgiving for the season’s crop harvest and an homage to the goddess Huminudon who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine. “This celebration also delivers the message of the importance (of being) thankful with what we have achieved (in terms of) stability, peace and prosperity, which we should (preserve). “Besides that, Kaamatan also gives the people an opportunity to better understand and respect customs and traditions of the Kadazandusun and Murut people, as well as other (groups),” he said during the launch of the month-long state-level Kaaamatan festival at Padang Bandaran here. Also present were Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni; deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; and state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman. Musa added that he hopes this year’s programme, themed “Kaamatan is the foundation of unity and friendship,” will foster better relationships among the people. Meanwhile, Pairin, who is also the Huguon Siou (or paramount leader of the Kadazandusun and Murut people), said that the festival is a platform for people to preserve traditions and customs passed down for generations. He added that society has to intensify efforts to transmit traditional knowledge and experiences to the younger generation. “Meanwhile, touching on the district’s (social and economic development), the state government always thinks of the best ways to help develop Keningau, especially its interior. “Keningau will be developed in stages according to current needs, until the district becomes one of the more important towns in Sabah,” Pairin added. With the launch of Visit Keningau Year 2018, the district has become a main tourist attraction and transit point for people and travellers from Sabah’s east coast. Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...