Environ Dept was into 145 schemes
07Jan
07Dec
Birdwatching as new tourism package.
Sandakan: Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor activity that has the potential to be one of the main tourism contributors in the State.
Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said if birdwatching can be properly exposed, it can be among prominent players in Sabah's tourism sector.
"I was told that Sabah is home to some 688 types of bird species which attracted not only local but also international birdwatchers.
"Sabah is also rich in eco-tourism and birdwatchers are know to do their birdwatching in well-known eco-tourism spots. "There are around seven places in the State that are visited regularly by birdwatchers such as Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre, Danum Valley, Kinabalu Park, Likas Bay and Tabin," he said.
He said in order to encourage and boost the birdwatching activity and turn it into a tourism package, the Ministry will organise a meeting with the tour operators.
Datu Rosmadi was speaking at the opening of 10th Borneo Bird Festival at Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). Meanwhile, he advised tourism players to shoulder their obligation as the custodian of the environment, thus, appreciating the world class eco-tourism spots in Sabah.
Also present at the ceremony were President of Sandakan Borneo Bird Club Sabah, Gary Albert, Chief Conservator of Sabah Forestry Department, Datuk Mashor Mohd Jaini, Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong, speakers, birdwatchers and members of the public.
In the ceremony, Datu Rosmadi also launched "A naturalist's guide to the Birds of Borneo" written by Wong Tsu Shi, a keen photographer who is in interested in the photo-documentation of the birds of Borneo.
His book is an easy-to-use identification guide to 280 birds found in Borneo covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan including the most commonly seen and rare endemic species.
The two-day event was enlivened with various activities such as talks, bird photography, guided birdwatching, bird mimic contest, bird race, booth exhibitions, Borneo bird run and so forth. - Winnie Kasmir
Source : Daily Express
07Dec
STB’s first Christmas celebration
Kota Kinabalu: Gaya Street was transformed into a fairyland of lights and carols Tuesday for Sabah Tourism Board's (STB) first Christmas celebration.Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Christina Liew, when launching the event, said the Christmas tree placed in front of the historic century-old STB office was made out of daily reusable items including plastic cups, cake covers, ice cream sticks, clothes pegs and others.
"In all of our initiatives and events this year, we have been emphasising on cleanliness and no single-use plastic, in our efforts to ensure a clean and unpolluted Sabah," she said.
Children who were present were overjoyed when Liew and her Ministry staff along with STB started distributing presents to children from Pediatrics Ward of the Sabah Hospital for Women and Children in Likas.She commended STB for attracting a large number of locals and tourists for the festive celebration.
"I am pleased to see a huge crowed supporting this huge event and I hope this will be a tradition where we, regardless of backgrounds and ethnicities, come together to mark the year-end holiday season here in Kota Kinabalu," she said. Many stalls were set up offering local products besides food and drink stalls as well food trucks. - Locksley Ng
Source : Daily Express
07Dec
Sabah Govt launches weekly night market in Gaya Street to boost tourism.
KOTA KINABALU: Tourists and visitors looking for a quick taste of Sabah can now stroll along Gaya Street to check out the various handicraft and local bites at the weekly Api Api Night Food Market.
The inaugural weekend night market at the city's famous Gaya Street will take place every Friday and Saturday, starting from 6pm to 2am.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said one way to boost tourism and inject soul to the city is by attracting many people to Gaya Street, which was already popular for its Sunday morning fairs.
"A holiday in Kota Kinabalu will not be complete without visiting the Night Food Market or Gaya Street Fair, where there is plenty to see and learn about local culture and food.
Liew, who is also the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said Gaya Street was selected as the location due to its historical features, with some of its shops built over 100 years ago.
Other efforts to keep the city vibrant and buzzing with activity included setting aside the section of Gaya Street, known as Lintasan Deasoka, for food trucks.
"Lintasan Deasoka itself will become a spot for entertainers to display their talent. It can also be a place to hold events such as fashion shows and dance performances.
"This will add value and lend an air of festivity to the night market," she said on Saturday (Dec 1).
Liew said for tourists to choose Sabah as their annual holiday destination, the authorities must ensure that public toilets and food premises are always clean, in addition to properly maintaining public facilities.
"The key is cleanliness because no tourist would want to return if basic considerations such as cleanliness are absent. Keep Kota Kinabalu clean. Keep Sabah clean.
"Cleanliness is not only essential to ensure a healthy life for everybody, but it is also important if we want tourists to keep coming back," she elaborated.
According to Liew, another aspect that must not be neglected is security.
"Only barely two weeks ago, the KK Watch was launched to help boost security in the city.
"This patrol team was formed to make Kota Kinabalu a safe city and so people can feel secure when walking the streets at night," she said.
Source : Star Online
29Oct
RM8b from tourism certain
