All information of tourism sabah

14Aug

Upgrade for Poring Hot Spring

Kota Kinabalu: The popular Poring Hot Spring in Ranau will be upgraded and expanded with new facilities to cater to the rising visitors, including tourists. Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, who disclosed this, said the move would involve building two to three big pools like the one in Japan and Bali, Indonesia, and also constructing 10 to 20 private chalets with bath tubs. She said upgrading and expanding Poring Hot Spring is essential as it would advance the place to the next height in the tourism industry since it was opened to the public in 1965. Liew said Poring Hot Spring was gazetted as part of Kinabalu Park in 1964 and the 30-hectare land was developed and opened to public in 1965. "Sabah Parks Director Dr Jamili Nais has informed me that Poring Hot Spring has been receiving many tourists and visitors since 2000. "Last year it recorded 416,572 visitors comprising 345,585 Malaysians and 70,987 foreign tourists with revenue receipt of RM3.07 million. Normally, there would be many visitors during the weekends and public holidays with an average 1,200 visitors per day," she told a press conference on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Monday. She made a working visit to Poring Hot Spring last Saturday to look at the existing facilities and features. In light of this, Dr Jamili told Daily Express that Sabah Parks initially targeted 400,000 people to visit Poring Hot Spring by end of this year but such figure had surpassed the target last year based on latest statistics. He said 80 per cent of the visitors were Malaysians, including from the peninsula and 20 per cent were foreign tourists. Presently, he said there are three pools for foot soaking and two bathing pools, namely rock pool and slide pool at the Poring Hot Spring. Following the working visit of Liew to Poring, Dr Jamili said it can be concluded that the place could not cater anymore for the rising number of visitors that has reached its maximum level based on the existing capabilities of the facilities. Hence, he said there is a need to upgrade and expand the place by adding more features. Liew said the proposed private chalets which will look like small bungalows aim to cater for high-end tourists who can afford the facilities and services. She said at present, there is no accommodation facilities in Poring and building the chalets would meet the needs of visitors who wish to stay to enjoy the nature and scenic view. "My ministry would prepare the working paper and submit it to the State Government," she said. Also present at the press conference were Permanent Secretary, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Sabah Wildlife Department Director Augustine Tuuga and other officials. - Hayati Dzulkifli Source: Daily Express Newspaper Online
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14Aug

Minister: Sabah on track to achieve 3.85 million tourists target

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 14 — Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew today said that Sabah is on track to achieve its 3.85 million tourist arrivals this year. She said that the state has so far received 1.891 million tourists as of July. “This is a 5.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. I believe we are on track to achieve the 3.85 million target,” said Liew during a press conference at the State Assembly building today. “I’m very proud to present these figures as it shows Sabah is getting more popular as a tourist destination,” she said. Liew said contributing to the figures are some 152 chartered flights from China and Japan bringing in some 20,000 extra tourists. “As of July 2018, there are around 200 chartered flights scheduled to come to Sabah, right up to March next year. These are mostly from second-tier Chinese cities, and some 72 from South Korea. “Additionally, there are some new direct routes coming into the state, from Bangkok this week, and then Macau and Shenzhou later in the year,” she said. Liew said that the flourishing tourism was a good opportunity for the state to leverage on its lesser-known east coast and spread the influx of tourists. “First we have to develop new features for tourism products. We recently visited the Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs and we will continue to go to different parts of Sabah,” she said. The ministry is proposing an upgrade to the latter, by building high-end accommodation in the hot springs in Ranau which can help bring in more foreign tourists. “We also want to use this opportunity to spread the influx to the east coast. The current number of rooms on the west coast cannot carry the influx. If all incoming tourists are concentrated on the west coast, there may not be enough hotel rooms. So are we are now launching tourism packages for Tawau,” said Liew, who is also Tawau MP. Source: Malay Mail Online
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06Aug

Govt to market Matunggong as tourist destination

KUDAT: The culture of the Rungus ethnic group in Matunggong is a State treasure that could market the district as a tourist destination. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong said the State government would heighten its efforts to uphold the tourism industry in Sabah. “With tourism as our strength, the economy will improve and create more job opportunities. Sabah has 47 ethnic tribes that can only be found here … this is a treasure to our State,” he said at a press conference after representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal at the launch of Pesta Magahau 2018. He was confident that tourist arrivals to the State would continue to increase, however amenities such as the number of accommodation and lodging need to be increased. He said the new government would develop each district with balance so no community was left behind in terms of advancement. Earlier while delivering the Chief Minister’s speech, Jaujan explained that Pesta Magahau is the biggest celebration for the Momogun Rungus community, practised from their ancestors’ time. He also conveyed Shafie’s hope that the unity amongst Sabahans would be maintained through various celebrations in the State. Source: Borneo Post
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06Aug

SICC can be a game changer: Chamber

Kota Kinabalu: Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah branch chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau said the new Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) will be a game changer for Sabah's economy.
He said the Sabah International Expo (SIE) is postponed to 2019 pending the completion of SICC due only next year. It is being organised by MICCI with the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) headed by Datuk Ir. Chong Hon Len. "MICCI Sabah proposed to the government to promote Sabah as one of the foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations through the Sabah International Expo. "The Sabah International Expo has brought in many foreign investments to Sabah since its inception in 2000." Wong said that SIE's efforts and promotional campaigns for Sabah contributed to the State having the second highest number of diplomatic consulates or offices outside of the Federal capital of Kuala Lumpur. There are four official consuls and 13 honorary consuls based in Sabah. SICC should be completed soon despite dissonance on the cost involved as the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) can generate a lot of income for Sabah, create more job opportunities, up-skill talents and retain them with high income, besides growing local enterprises and entrepreneurs. "It is proposed that the government give special attention to positioning Sabah as the logistics hub and MICE hub for the Far East." "The completion of the Sabah International Convention Centre and upgrading of the Sapangar Bay Container Port to a Hub Port would equip Sabah with essential infrastructure in order to achieve this proposed status." MICE will propel Sabah forward in the next level of tourism as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions comprise a type of tourism in which large groups, usually planned well in advance, are brought together for a particular purpose, and by their positive feedback, more publicity will be generated for other visitors to come to Sabah. Sabah has a competitive advantage as it is deemed as a holiday resort and its natural beauty is a comparative advantage that makes the 'Land Below the Wind' a tourism hotspot great for mixing business with pleasure or leisure. "Sabah never had a proper convention centre. When the SICC is completed, many foreign exhibitors will bring and display their products there. This is important to position Kota Kinabalu as a business hub." Wong also urged the government to complete the Pan-Borneo Highway. "These are the economic 'game-changer's that will bring Sabah to the next level of economic development," he stressed. - David Thien
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27Jul

Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50K

Kota Kinabalu: The fifth edition of the Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50,000 this year, said its race coordinator Jerry Ong. He said the challenge, a fundraising event at the historical Salt Trail at Crocker Range Park to be held on Oct 27, managed to raised RM35,837 last year. "The event, held in collaboration with Sabah Parks, Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS) and Pacos Trust, aims to generate funds to support the activities organised by Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter all year round for the people in the State," he told a press conference here, Wednesday. Traditionally, Ong said, the Salt Trail served as a route used by Tambunan folks to bring their produce to the tamu (markets) for barter trade. Salt was the most commonly traded product, resulting in the route being known as the Salt Trail. "The challenge promises a different experience altogether because it connects people with nature, as well as serve as a platform for participants to interact with the local community along the trail. "Trekkers and nature lovers would love this challenge." The challenge, themed "Trail of Hope", is divided into two categories – Men's Open and Women's Open, and each category is available in distances of 16 kilometres or 25 kilometres. The 16-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Pogigimpaan hut, while the 25-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Kampung Terian. "Participants interested to spend the night in Inobong Substation before the challenge begins can do so by contacting Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter office to arrange for accommodation," he said. Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood said the race can promote adventure tourism in the State. "I also urged corporate teams to not only contribute in terms of funds but also participate and experience the trail for themselves as Mercy Malaysia has been doing a great job here where they have good track record with the locals in the interior," he said. Meanwhile, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter Chairman Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam said fundraising events such as the annual Salt Trail Challenge served to provide the financial support much needed by the Chapter to fund its activities. "Committed to serve the people of Sabah, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter has been providing primary healthcare services for the communities since its establishment in 2003 in the State. "The Chapter has conducted more than 100 mobile outreach clinics as well as Disaster Relief Reduction (DRR) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) projects throughout Sabah," he said. He also disclosed that currently, there are about 200 active volunteers of the Chapter in the State. The public can contribute help to the Chapter by joining the challenge by paying the entry fee or raise funds using donation card which can be collected at the Chapter's office. All fees and donation cards should be submitted by Sept 28, and for more information contact the Chapter's office at 088-272 667 or Ivy (016-840 0208) or Edna (019-311 6182). - Ricardo Unto Source: Daily Express
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