03Oct

Community-based mid-Autumn carnival at Foh Sang

KOTA KINABALU: The Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang from October 4 to 6 is poised to revitalize the economy of the area and showcase Foh Sang as a happening community. More than 5,000 people, including tourists, are expected to turn up at the three-day carnival. The event is jointly organized by the Kota Kinabalu member of parliament (MP) office, Luyang state assemblyman office, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta). There will be a night market featuring over 60 stalls from October 4 to 6, while the opening ceremony by the Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing Stephen Wong representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal will be held on October 5. Visitors will be entertained with classic games, cultural shows, singing performances, live band, Tai Chi demonstration and lantern making competition that take will place this Friday. Members of the public also stand a chance to win cash vouchers and air tickets during an interactive session with My Sabah radio deejays from 6pm to 8pm on October 5, and enjoy mooncakes distributed by the organizers at the opening ceremony. Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin said the Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang would be different from the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival held at Gaya Street last Saturday. “The Gaya Street event was more official with the presence of the Chief Minister. “The Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang will be more community-based,” he said in a joint press conference with Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe, Satta president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw and DBKK Corporate Affairs Department director Syron A. Tunggolou here yesterday. Chan also hoped that the carnival would help spur the economic growth and tourism sector in Kota Kinabalu. Meanwhile, Phoong hoped that the Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang would become an annual event for locals and tourists to enjoy the celebration. He said the event could transform Foh Sang into a brand to attract Chinese tourists. “My hope is to revitalize and rejuvenate Foh Sang’s economy. “We want to show that Foh Sang can be a happening community.” He also urged participants of the lantern parade at Gaya Street to join the lantern competition at Foh Sang as well. The winner will receive an air ticket. Those who wish to join the lantern making competition can contact Billy Lim at 012-8073203. On the other hand, Liaw believed that some 500 tourists, particularly from China and Korea, would be visiting the carnival. “We have been promoting the event to Chinese and Korean tourists and we expect them to come and join the celebration.” He said the carnival also coincided with the ‘Golden Week’ holiday from September 29 to October 7 in China to celebrate the country’s national day. As such, he believed the carnival would attract quite a number of Chinese tourists. Members of the public are encouraged to carpool or take the e-hailing service Grab to the Mid-Autumn Carnival to reduce traffic congestion. Phoning said Grab would be offering RM5 discount for two rides to and from the carnival for 1,000 users. He said Grab users could enjoy the discount by entering the promo code ‘GRABFOHSANG’. “The promotion will start from 5pm till midnight on October 5. For people living nearby, the ride is likely to be free,” he said. Alternatively, he said drivers could park at Damai and walk over to Foh Sang. Meanwhile, Phoong informed that a partial road closure between the Foh Sang shops would take place on the morning of October 3 and 4 for the purpose of setting up the stage and canopy. He said the street would be fully closed from 5pm on October 4 for the night market and for the entire day on October 5. “The street will also be partially closed on October 6. We will reopen the street to the public as soon as possible, depending on how fast we can dismantle the structures.”   Source: Borneo Post Online
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02Oct

Tourists continue to flow into Sabah

By PAUL MU KOTA KINABALU: Tourist arrivals to Sabah have increased by 5.27 per cent to 111,136 people in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period of last year. Based on records from January to July, a total of 2,221,110 arrivals were registered against 2,109,974 last year. According to Christopher Chan of Borneo Eco Vest Sdn Bhd, the July 2018 tourist arrivals were registered at 329,159, beating the same period last year, by 15,110 or 4.81 per cent. However, there was a slight drop compared to last month’s figure by 22,273 or 6.34 per cent. International arrivals for July were recorded at 123,486 against Malaysian arrivals of 205,673 compared to 109,812 and 204,237 achieved in the corresponding month last year. “This indicates an increase of 13,674 or 12.45 per cent and 1,436 or 0.7 per cent respectively,” said Chan who is also the advisor of Sabah Hotel Association yesterday. The total international arrivals up till July 2018 were 801,919 against 691,784 last year indicating an increase of 110,135 or 15.92 per cent. The total Malaysian arrivals till July 2018 stood at 1,419,191, which is marginally above by 1,001 or 0.07 per cent compared to last year, Chan said. However, he said Southeast Asia arrivals continue to record a drop up till July 2018 with a total of 130,300 against 149,141 for the corresponding period last year, down by 18,841 or 12.63 per cent. Arrivals from Brunei also declined with only 2,065, the lowest to date this year. The total arrivals from Jan till July stood at 30,493 against 47,354 over the same period last year with a big decrease of 16,861 or 35.615 per cent. Meanwhile, the total arrivals for the Northeast Asia up till July 2018 were recorded at 590,157 against 461,301 over the same period in 2017, an increase of 128,856 or 27.93 per cent, he said. As of July 2018, the total arrivals were 93,424 against 74,926 for the corresponding month in 2017 and a total of 77,673 in June 2018. “We are up against the same month last year by 18,498 or 23.8 per cent and last month by 15.751 or 20.28 per cent respectively. China continues to top the arrivals from this region with a total of 358,428 compared to 250,055 for the same period in 2017 indicating an increase of 108,373 or 43.34 per cent. Arrivals for July 2018 were recorded at 58,325 against 41,955 achieved in the same month in 2017 and 45,603 during last month this year. South Korea followed closely from Jan to July 2018 with 191,351 against 163,500 achieved over the same period last year indicating an increase of 27,851 or 17.03 per cent. “Arrivals in July 2018 were recorded at 29,075 compared to 25,052 over the same month last year and 27,076 last month. This indicate an increase of 4,023 or 16.06 per cent over the last year same month and also up against last month by 1,999 or 7.38 per cent,” Chan noted. Taiwan arrivals up till July 2018 were recorded at 30,916 compared to 35,962 over the same period of 2017, dropped by 5,045 or 14.02 per cent from the total arrival of 4,667 while last year was 6,151 declined by 1,484 or 24.13 per cent, but higher than last month figure of 4,333 by 334 or 7.71 per cent, he said. “Arrivals from Japan still show no sign of recovery with a total of 9,461 arrival during the first half of this year compared to 11,784 for the same period of last year, down by 2,323 or 19.71 per cent,” Chan said. For the Oceania market, he said a total of 15,433 were registered compared to 16,686 for the same period last year, declined by 1,253 or 7.51 per cent. Arrivals from Australia was at 13,624 this year compared to 14,583 over the same period last year, down by 941 or 6.45 per cent while New Zealand recorded at 1,791 for the first seven months of 2018 compared to 2,103 for the same period last year, down by 312 or 14.84 per cent. The contributions from the European market almost identical between this year and last year, totaling 41,290 against 42,156 with 866 people margin or 2.05 per cent, he said. “However, the total arrivals in July last year stood at 7,725, the highest to date but still less than China’s only one month total arrivals. “Arrivals from UK and Ireland are the single largest market from Europe comprising almost 50 per cent of the total while the rest of Europe are minor arrivals except for Germany which increased marginally,” Chan commended. The North American market continues to show a positive growth with a total of 13,476 against 11,166 arrivals for the first seven months this year and last year, above by 2,310 or 20.69 per cent. The arrivals from US and Canada respectively increased by 9,981 and 3,495 in 2018 against 7,893 and 3,272 in 2017 or respectively hike by 2,088 (26.45 per cent) and 223 (6.82 per cent), he said. “The overall figures indicated that international arrivals of 801,919 comprises up to 36.10 per cent of the total arrivals to Sabah against Malaysian arrivals of 1,419,191 which is 63.90 per cent out of the total visitors of 2,221,110,” Chan concluded.   Source: New Sabah Times
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02Oct

Sabah jewels get support as UNESCO Heritage Site

PUTRAJAYA: Sabah’s jewels – the Danum-Maliau-Imbak Canyon – will be exempted from the provisions of National Heritage Act (Act 645) with their nomination as Unesco World Heritage site. The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) has agreed in principle to Sabah Government’s application for the exemption, said its minister Mohamaddin Ketapi during an inaugural meeting with Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Christina Liew who led a seven-member delegation. As it is, Act 645 requires that Danum-Maliau-Imbak Canyon be recognised first as a national heritage to facilitate its progression towards being accorded a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. “We (Sabah) are grateful and appreciative of the Minister’s consideration and approbation for the exemption. This positive move will pave the way for my Ministry to proceed with the application for Danum-Maliau-Imbak Canyon to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage,” said Christina who is also a Deputy Chief Minister. According to her, the nomination made in 2014, was raised again under the new government. “It was discussed during the Cabinet Meeting on July 18 this year, and decided that the nomination be continued without being restricted by Act 645,” Christina said. Christina who was accompanied by her ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) General Manager Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani, also introduced Sabah Parks Director Dr Jamili Nais who is a member of the World Heritage Panel of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), and sits on the 12-member Panel as the sole representative from Asia. This panel, she said, provides high quality, technical and scientific advice to UNESCO regarding all matters related to natural World Heritage sites. The meeting was attended by Motac’s secretary-general Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah who said his ministry would extend the necessary assistance for the nomination to be successful. Also present were the chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Ahmadshah Tambakau, director of Motac Sabah Office, Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar, general manager of Sabah Cultural Board, William Baya and director of Sabah Museum, Mansur Hj Asun. On the Ministry’s proposal submitted by Christina for the upgrading of the Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu Airports to international status, Mohamaddin said he would bring it to the attention of the Federal Cabinet. She said the move was warranted and would minimise congestion at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, given that 90pc of domestic and international tourist arrivals in Sabah involve air transportation. “We are promoting tourism beyond Kota Kinabalu. The other three airports that will be upgraded accordingly will serve as alternative gateways to Sabah.” Mohamaddin was also receptive to Sabah’s call for her to play a proactive role, particularly in eco-tourism, in Visit Malaysia Year 2020 which aims to raise Malaysia’s name as the main tourist destination in Asia. “Sabah offers herself as the host for PATA Adventure and Travel Mart in February 2020 and B2B Travel Mart 2020. I am confident events of this nature will lure more than 200 international groups of visitors from South Asia, the United Kingdom and Europe,” said Christina. Mohamaddin gave a positive response to the Sabah Government’s application for an annual grant for the preservation of Sabah’s ethnic culture and heritage, management of the Sabah Ethnic Association, the International Youth Folk Dance Festival and “one-off” programmes such as Riu De’ Tawau in conjunction with Cuti Cuti Tawau campaign. Meanwhile, she assured the Federal Minister that her team would work together with the latter in efforts to promote Sabah as an ideal tourist destination in response to his call to Sabah to participate in overseas tourism promotion programmes involving Malaysia.   Source: New Sabah Times
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02Oct

International airport for Sandakan, Tawau

BY ALIZA ALAWI KINABATANGAN: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mohamaddin Ketapi will propose to the Government to upgrade the airports in Sandakan and Tawau to international air hub. According to him, the proposal is due to the diversity of tourism products available in Malaysia especially in Sabah which should be promoted extensively to foreign countries. “Obviously, it will help to increase the country’s revenue if the number of international tourist arrivals to Sabah also increases from time to time,” Mohamaddin said. Through the proposal, he said arts and crafts activities could help to spur Sabah’s economy, especially through eco-tourism in rural areas, he said when launching the 4th Pesta Damas at the Dataran Tamu Pekan Sukau here on Sunday. Hence, Mohamaddin calls on rural folks to play an increasing role in diversifying art and handicraft activities to attract foreign tourists. “We will further boost the activities of tourists, crafts and arts in rural areas to broaden the market of the products apart from wooing tourists to generate the people’s income,” he said. Also present were Persatuan Bangsa Sungai Sabah (SABAS) president, Dato ‘Juhari Hj Janan, Assistant Sabah Minister of Tourism and Culture and Environment Assafal Panglima Alian and Assistant Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports, Arunarnsin Taib. Mohamaddin said Malaysia received 25.9 million tourist arrivals, which generated revenue of RM184 billion from January to September this year. Earlier at the event, Mohammadin was awarded the “Tagajoh” title by Juhari in recognition of his leadership, struggle and devoted services especially to the Sungai community in Sabah.   Source: New Sabah Times
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01Oct

Sabah can expect more tourists from NZ

Kota Kinabalu: The arrival of New Zeland tourists to Sabah that now stands at 10,000 yearly is expected to increase once a proposed arrangement on Indigenous Cooperation between the New Zealand High Commission and Sabah takes shape. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said her Ministry and others would be working on the matter. "Hopefully, the memorandum will materialise this year. The bilateral relations between New Zealand and Sabah will be rekindled and move a step further, especially in tourism. "I am optimistic it will boost tourist arrivals from New Zealand," said Liew, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, after a courtesy call by NZ Acting High Commissioner Richard Mann, Wednesday. She invited Mann, who was on his maiden visit to Sabah, to visit Sandakan in the near future. Mann said New Zealand has a special relationship with Sabah and Sarawak based on educational needs and also indigenous peoples who have strong connections with the Maoris of New Zealand. "The Minister of Maori Affairs was here last year, so we are focusing a lot on developing indigenous people's links between New Zealand and Sabah and Sarawak. "That (courtesy call) was a wonderful meeting with the Minister, and I think we found a lot in common and a lot of interest in working together and going forward," he said. According to Mann, the objective of the Memorandum is to provide a framework for cooperation between New Zealand and Sabah on indigenous issues and between indigenous peoples in the areas of language and culture, trade and business, education, tourism, indigenous policy and legislative developments, environment and justice, on the basis of mutual benefit. Liew directed her Permanent Secretary Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai to liaise with the Ministry of Education and Innovation, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Law and Native Affairs in working towards the realisation of the Memorandum. Also present were the Ministry's Assistant Secretary (Cultural), Tinus Manggam, Director of Sabah Wildlife Department, Augustine Tuuga, Director of Environment Protection Department, Hj Mohd Yusrie Abdullah and Sabah Tourism Board Cassie Forsythe.   Source: Daily Express
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