15Nov

East Coast travel packages launched in WTM

KOTA KINABALU: The East Coast of Sabah gets a significant push at the World Travel Mart held in London. A properly-packed travel attraction has been put together to ensure that the region is benefiting from the fast-growing tourism industry. It has been said that the world’s centuries-old love affair with Borneo centres around her impenetrable rainforests and exotic creatures and cultures. Sir David Attenborough had said that Borneo is one of the most unique and biodiverse places on this planet. Today, much of Borneo specifically Sabah are still mostly untouched, and the Government intends for it to stay that way. Sabah Tourism Board introduces a sampler of this exoticness through an East Coast-themed packaged tours loaded with Bornean wilderness. Tour designs vary from length of stay to levels of difficulty for experiences in Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau divisions where high concentration of rustic surroundings, natural settings and wildlife can be seen. Visitors can expect to enjoy primate-spotting of up to ten species, from the smallest Western Tarsier to the great ape orang-utan; to bizarre creatures like flying snakes and carnivorous plants all compacted in Sabah. About 60% of Sabah is covered with vegetation and out of that, 30% or 2.2 million hectares will be totally protected areas by 2025. General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board, Suzaini Sabdin Ghani who was representing the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, when launching the East Coast packages at Excel said, “Sabah is the lead for conservation work in Malaysia and it shows. Our strong policies keep much of our land intact and conservation areas like Maliau Basin, Danum Valley and Imbak Canyon exemplary models. “These areas are open to visitors and are suitable for long-haul guests who appreciate quality nature-based attractions and high-end treatment at the same time.” Suzaini also stated that the board is partnering with various regional airlines in reestablishing long-haul connectivity and direct access to Sabah’s wilderness. The recent partnership with BBC presenter Kate Humble, who experienced Sandakan herself, enabled the board to reemphasize visiting the East Coast to a wider audience, Suzaini said. Next year, the board will further use digital marketing to intensify the exposure and reach needed to draw interests in Sabah’s conservation gems in the East Coast.   Source: New Sabah Times
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09Nov

Sabah East Coast packages launched in London

First row (standing) left to right: MATTA President Datuk KL Tan, STB General Manager Suzaini Sabdin Ghani, Tourism, Culture and Arts Malaysia Minister Datuk Mohamadin Ketapi, Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau with Sabah agents (standing behind) witnessing the launch of the East Coast package.

KOTA KINABALU: The world’s centuries-old love affair with Borneo centres around her impenetrable rainforests and exotic creatures and cultures. Sir David Attenborough once said that Borneo is one of the most unique and biodiverse places on this planet. Today, much of Borneo, specifically Sabah, the northern Malaysian state in the island, are still mostly untouched, and the government intends for it to stay that way. This month at the World Travel Mart, Sabah Tourism introduces a sampler of this exoticness through an East Coast-themed packaged tours loaded with Bornean wilderness. Tour designs vary from length of stay to levels of difficulty for experiences in Sabah’s Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau divisions where high concentration of rustic surroundings, natural settings and wildlife can be seen. Promises of primate-spotting of up to ten species, from the smallest Western Tarsier to the great ape orang-utan; to bizarre creatures like flying snakes and carnivorous plants all compacted in Sabah. About 60% of Sabah is covered with vegetation and out of that, 30% or 2.2 million hectares will be totally protected areas by 2025. General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board, Suzaini Sabdin Ghani who was representing the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, when launching the East Coast packages at Excel said, “Sabah is the lead for conservation work in Malaysia and it shows. Our strong policies keep much of our land intact and conservation areas like Maliau Basin, Danum Valley and Imbak Canyon exemplary models. “These areas are open to visitors and are suitable for long-haul guests who appreciate quality nature-based attractions and high-end treatment at the same time.” Suzaini also stated that the board is partnering with various regional airlines in re-establishing long-haul connectivity and direct access to Sabah’s wilderness. The recent partnership with BBC presenter Kate Humble, who experienced Sandakan herself, enabled the board to reemphasize visiting the East Coast to a wider audience, Suzaini said. Next year, the board will further use digital marketing to intensify the exposure and reach needed to draw interests in Sabah’s conservation gems in the East Coast. Surely, the world’s fascination with Borneo will continue.
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19Jul

Sabah to promote tourism on its east coast

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government is considering opening up more touristic areas in the east coast. Assistant Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Assaffal Alian said the area spanning from Kudat to Tawau had great sea and beaches. There have also been reports about several shipwrecks at the seabed of Kudat waters which could be developed as dive sites and for historical visits. “As for my constituency, for example, Silam area has Darvel bay which is rich with coral life that can be developed as marine park and tourist areas. “However, we are still in the planning stage and have to look into every potential besides addressing shortage of accommodation, especially four or five star hotels,” said Assafal, who is also Tungku assemblyman, after launching a two-day Digital Tourism Workshop here. Earlier, in his opening speech Assaffal said the state should embrace social media that appeals to today’s travellers especially young people. Up to May this year, tourist arrivals recorded 1.497million visitors which was an increase of 3.2 per cent compared to the same period last year. “Last year, 52 per cent of our 3.68million visitors were free independent travellers. These are mainly young people who are very active on social media. “Their decision to visit a destination is mostly influenced by postings or videos they see on media platforms, ” said Assaffal. Meanwhile, the ministry will work with all stakeholders in tackling trash especially at tourist areas following complaints from operators and tourists on sighting of garbage at the sea. Last week, City Hall collected 402 tonnes of garbage within two weeks when the storms hit Sabah. Source: New Straits Times
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