CM launches ‘Best of Sabah Holiday Packages’ campaign

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal officially launched the ‘Best of Sabah Holiday Packages 2019/2020’ Campaign, here yesterday. The auspicious event saw Shafie launching the Best of Sabah Holiday Packages 2019/2020 special edition booklet – an initiative that was introduced by Tourism Malaysia, in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign. It aims to promote the state’s beautiful and exciting attractions to both local and international tourists. Speaking to reporters after the event, which was held at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Shafie said that the initiative would help boost the tourism sector of the country and Sabah as a state. “We all know that the tourism sector is a very dynamic source for our country…we know that Sabah has a lot of tourism products. The initiative that was taken by the Federal Tourism Ministry as well as MASwings is something that should be welcomed. “Our role in the state level is to continue giving our support to the Federal Government and other bodies – to ensure that the Visit Malaysia 2020 agenda could be fulfilled,” said Shafie. Featuring 135 holiday packages offered by 76 travel agencies, tourism product operators, homestay operators and local airlines in Sabah, the booklet provides new holiday ideas in Sabah and explores the state’s lesser known tourist attractions. The initiative is the result of the partnership between Sabah Tourism Board, MATTA Sabah Chapter, Sabah Tourism Association, Sabah Homestay Association and the local airlines in Sabah. With the nation gearing up to welcome 30 million international tourists and RM100 billion in tourist receipts, the booklet is timely in promoting the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign. The campaign received a further boost of support from MASwings Airlines as it has agreed to partner with Tourism Malaysia to promote the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign – where the airline will be displaying the said campaign logo on its aircraft. Among those in attendance were Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi; State Tourism, Culture and Environment cum Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew; and State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon. Mohammadin expressed his gratitude towards the State Government for its support towards the said initiative. “On behalf of the Federal Government, through the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, I would like to say that we welcome its (the State Government’s) efforts. “We will come up with more tourism packages, not just in Sabah, but in the whole country. With such packages, I am confident that the country would be able to achieve its target of getting 30 million international tourists as well as domestic tourists,” said Mohammadin. The booklet is available for download at the Tourism Malaysia official website. Source: The Borneo Post
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First KK homestay opened

By VESTA VANESSA JSOL KOTA KINABALU: The first homestay in the City was declared open yesterday and more are on the cards. The rapid growth of Kota Kinabalu as a tourism destination underlines the need to create new tourism products to sustain the growth, said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah. Speaking at the launching ceremony of Kota Kinabalu’s first homestay, Desa Cinta Kobuni Homestay in Inanam, near here, yesterday, Yong said the best way to support the tourism growth is by developing innovative, creative tourism products and attractions within the city under the NBOS-Community Based Tourism Programme. (NBOS stands for New Blue Ocean Strategy and reflects the government’s call for innovation.) “We need to grab every opportunity in order to develop our economy and the tourism industry. “The Chief Minister (Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman) has announced in the 2018 Budget that the government is giving more focus on rural tourism and has allocated RM127.18 million for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment and RM152,09 for the Ministry of Rural Development.” “There is no excuse for not developing the industry.” Earlier, he praised the management of Desa Cinta Kobuni Homestay for its pioneering spirit. Homestays are popular in outer districts such as Kundasang and Kudat, but a rarity in the urban centres. “This is the first homestay in Kota Kinabalu, something to be proud of. I believe Kobuni will receive more international and domestic guests. It is my hope that more homestays will be established in town soon.” During the ceremony, Edward also announced that the government has approved the request of Kg Kobuni villagers for a computer system to help promote its homestay business. Meanwhile, Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall is eying another village to establish a homestay programme. “Currently, I can say Tebobon (near Menggatal) and Babagon Toki (in Penampang) have the potential to be developed as homestay hub,” he said, adding that the scenery and villagers’ daily routine are among attractive factors. “I’ve been there, and it was wonderful,” he noted. Source: New Sabah Times
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