KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah is actively taking measures to raise the confidence of tourism industry stakeholders over the security situation in the state. Its Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun said among the measures to be taken is to hold a special dialogue session with tourism industry players on Nov 25 here in the aftermath of the murder-cum-kidnapping incident of two Taiwanese nationals in Pulau Pom Pom, Semporna on Nov 15. Officials from the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), the Immigration Department, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia will participate in the special dialogue session. "Following the incident, the Sabah Tourism Board has also released the travel updates on Nov 16 to provide the latest information on the security situation in the state. "The information is sent to all international networks of the Sabah Tourism Board and it also appears in my ministry's website," he said in his winding-up speech at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly here today. He also welcomed the proposal by Dr Edwin Bosi (DAP-Kepayan) to set up a security team as back up as one of the measures to address security in tourist spots. -- BERNAMA Source: New Straits Times

PUERTO PRINCESSA, Philippines: The tourism industry for both Sabah and the Philippines will be further boosted with the expansion of MASwings’ thrice weekly flight between the two destinations. Foreseeing good demand on the two routes, MASwings chief executive officer Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang said the new direct service also symbolises the strong ties between Sabah and the Philippines. “We expect good demand on the route, especially tourism. Nature lovers would appreciate the Puerto Princessa Subteeranean River National Park, one of the most distinguished protected areas in the Philippines that feature a spectacular limestone or karts mountain landscape. “And people from here may visit other national parks in Malaysia such as the Kinabalu Park in Sabah and the Mulu Caves in Sarawak. “Linking Kota Kinabalu with Puerto Princessa, gazetted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World’s Nature cities, will facilitate movement between these two beautiful resort cities,” said Nawawi when launching MASwings’ services yesterday. He was among the passengers on the inaugural flight to the island, also known to be the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, via MH3992 which departed Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.25am and arrived here about one and-a-half hours later. He said MASwings is proud to collaborate with both cities’ local tourism bodies and agencies to enhance tourism, especially in bringing in more tourists to Malaysia in general, and Sabah in particular, for the coming Visit Malaysia Year 2014. Nawawi added that when MASwings started its operations six years ago, it  flew about 700,000 passengers to its destinations, and in 2012, the number rose to 1.58 million. They are targeting least two million passengers next year. “Even now, advance bookings for Puerto Princessa is about 10 to 20 per cent, and we believe it will continue to increase with the collaboration of the government here,” he said. During a joint press conference here, Palawan Gabenor Jose Alvarez, assured visitors of their safety. “Do not be worried … you are safe here,” he said, in welcoming more people to visit Palawan, dubbed as the most beautiful island in the world. Proposing for more frequent flights between the two locations, he said the people and Philippines and Sabah have a lot in common. “We have the same tone of skin, look the same,” he said, and spoke in fluent Bahasa Malaysia to express it – ‘Mirip, muka sama’, because, according to him, we come from the same stock. Meanwhile, Puerto Princessa City Mayor Lucilo Cecil R Bayron hopes this second attempt to provide direct air connectivity is here to stay. “There was a flight operated by the Layang-Layang Aerospace but it stopped just after a few months of operation. But we are confident that MASwings will ensure this time it will be a success. “We depend on tourism as we cannot do anything, we cannot do mining or manufacturing. We are (otherwise) isolated from the country and the rest of the world,” said Bayron. The inaugural flight send-off, with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi, heading the delegation which comprised travel trade agencies and media. Source: Borneo Post

Kota Kinabalu: Star Cruises' choice in making KK a homeport for the winter season of its Superstar Aquarius fits well with the need for additional tourist arrivals through other means of transport, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. "About 90 per cent of tourist influx arrive here is via plane. Illustrating that connectivity is important to keep a continuous flow of tourists coming into the state," Masidi said, at the Inaugural Cruise Ceremony, here. He welcomed Star Cruises for bringing in a much broader crowd into the state and complementing the current 87 per cent increase in North Asian tourists going by statistics compiled in the first nine months. "This includes those from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea." In fact, this is phenomenal as by the end of this year, he expects and believes the percentage of tourist arrivals to increase. "It's an all time high record of guests from outside of Sabah." "A double digit growth can be seen this year in terms of international tourists arrivals, added Masidi who compared this with last year's statistics. On security, he assured that the Malaysian Royal Navy would spare no effort to ensure passengers safety. Masidi said the beauty of Sabah lies in the people because the tourist destinations that we have already exist in one form or another in other states in Malaysia or even other countries in the world. "What I wish to highlight that Sabahans which comprise of 32 ethnic races are the best Malaysians. In Sabah, we do not see each other in terms of race or religion. We're just Sabahans." Apart from the best natural wonders, relaxed pace life and warmth of hospitality offered to guests to make them feel at home, this unity is what sets us apart from other Malaysians in the State, added Masidi. "The best Malaysians live in Sabah. We are undoubtedly the most integrated Malaysians, he stressed. "No where in the world will you be able to find people living side by side in harmony like us." On behalf of the Sabah State Government, he thanked Star Cruises representatives for selecting Sabah. Among those present were Star Cruises Chief Operating Officer, William Ng, Star Cruises East Malaysia Operations Vice President, Edward Johann Leong, Star Cruises Cruise Operations Vice President, Raymond Lim, Superstar Aquarius Captain, Carl J Nilermark, Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, JP, Royal Malaysian Police Deputy Supt Peter Ambuas and Royal Malaysian Navy's Commander of Naval Region, Rosland Omar. Source: Daily Express

KOTA KINABALU: Airline companies and tourism key players should make concerted efforts to promote Sabah and attract more tourists from the international markets of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, India and China.

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in making this call when launching the MasWings 1 million Seat for Sale campaign, said industry players should work hand in hand, through regular networking and partnerships to come up with innovative products and packages to promote the State. Source: New Straits Times