All information of tourism sabah

Sabah Offers Fresh Air for Tourists Escaping Pollution

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is offering itself as a “lung cleansing” destination for tourists needing a breather from pollution in their home countries. Tapping the growing Chinese, Japanese and South Korean markets, Sabah Tourism Board is offering tourists fresh mountain and river air in village settings along the Crocker Range. “We are working with the local communities to host tourists in a wide range of nature activities – from camping by the river to trekking hills,” board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said of plans for the Rural Tourism Road Show from Aug 4 to 6. Bangkuai said the key focus for the back-to-nature product was in Kadamaian, Kiulu, Ranau and Tambunan at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, along the range that stretches from north to south of Sabah. He said community-based organisations in these areas were offering a variety of products from whitewater rafting, camping, trekking, fishing, besides a chance to experience local cultures, food and outdoor living to visitors. “The focus is for villagers to earn more while also ensuring that the tourists stay longer in the rural areas,” Bangkuai said, adding that the move would also encourage local villagers to appreciate and preserve their natural environment. Bangkuai said the board was working with district office tourism committees to identify more areas for this plan. He said there was a market for such tourism products as in the case of the Kampung Talungan community in Kota Belud that earned some RM100,000 from 30,000 visitors camping by the Kadamaian river and other outdoor activities. Source: The Star
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Dinner in the Sky – Sabah’s Latest Attraction

KOTA KINABALU: Dining a three-course Italian meal while being suspended 50 metres in the sky is the latest attraction introduced here. Locals and tourists can get the bird-eye view experience at Sutera Harbour Resort, where two dinners are served daily this August. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun who had first hand experience during the launch last night, said both locals and tourists alike are expected to be drawn to this new tourism experience. "I took the first 'flight' and what better way to experience our beautiful sunset. "It might not be everyone's cup of tea but then again it is something unique and eventhough Sabah is known for its nature as our niche, I always encourage new products here to keep visitors engaged. "Those with a fear of heights, I suggest them to try as you are safe. With the music playing and the chef and waiter talking to you, you would be so busy, what with eating and taking photos that you wouldn't realise it (being high off the ground)," he said after his dinner. 'Dinner in the Sky' has history which began in Belgium and over 5,000 dinners were hosted over 45 cities including Kuala Lumpur to date. Organiser TwoSpicy Entertainment who brought the experience to Sabah said up to 30 percent reservations were made after just three days of opening the tickets for purchase. "This is impressive as we didn't expect this kind of response in Sabah," said chief executive officer Arvin Randahwa. He assured the standard safety measures of seated guests wearing safety belts while standing presenter and crew are secured by safety harnesses at all time during the dinner. The dining experience is endorsed by Sabah Tourism Board and co-sponsored by Sutera Harbour. Source: New Strait Times
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House of British Artist in Sabah To Be Turned Into Gallery

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is honouring British teacher and artist Tina Rimmer by converting her Likas home into an art gallery. Sabah Art Gallery curator Jennifer Linggi said this was to enable the public to have glimpse into Rimmer's life “The house will serve as a showcase of the simple life Tina lived,” she said after the launching of a three-month exhibition of Tina’s works at the Sabah Art Gallery here on Tuesday. The exhibition will run until Dec 1. Linggi said Tina had moved into the house in 1996 and the house has remained empty since her May 5 death, just three months short of her 100th birthday on Aug 1. Rimmer, who made Sabah her home in 1949 is best known for her portraits of ordinary folk and her paintings of tamu or traditional farmers’ markets. She produced more than 1,000 artworks since she started painting and sketching everyday scenes around Sabah. Tina, originally from Devon, came to then-North Borneo then in 1949 as an Education Officer. She was one of the original lecturers at Kent Teacher's Training College in Tuaran in 1951 and later taught at Siew Ching Chinese School and Saint Dominic's Secondary School in Lahad Datu. Tina married Bert Rimmer, a planter in Lahad Datu in 1959 and they settled in a farm where she learned to rear cattle and to plant fruits before moving to Tamparuli in 1974 Meanwhile, in his speech at the opening of the exhibition, state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said Rimmer had contributed the state by capturing scenes of life in Sabah. He added that Rimmer had also brought comfort to families of terminally ill patients with her portraits of those in palliative care. “There was no doubt of Tina’s love for Sabah and the people here,” Masidi said.
Source: The Star
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Live sharks to be the stars at Manukan Aquarium Centre

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks have taken the initiative to upgrade a building at Pulau Manukan here into an aquarium centre to educate the public about marine biodiversity. Its director, Dr Jamili Nais, said the centre was part of the government’s efforts in shark conservation. “The main attraction at the aquarium will be live sharks, including blacktip reef sharks. “This is in line with the government’s recent announcement that marine parks will serve as shark sanctuaries,” he said during the soft launch of the new attraction in Pulau Manukan here recently. These sanctuaries will be set up at more than two million hectares in marine parks, including Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park here, Tun Mustapha Marine Park in Kudat, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park in Semporna. The state government is in favour of a ban on shark finning as the species contributed significantly to the tourism industry. On average, 55,000 divers come to Sabah yearly and 80 per cent of them came to see live sharks in the sea. The year-long activity contributed more than RM300 million in tourism receipts. Jamili said the centre would be opened to the public in September, adding that the entrance fee would be waived for a year. The 0.01ha centre, which costs RM100,000, was mostly built by the staff of Sabah Parks. Source: The New Strait Times
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Tuaran Project Relaunched to Cash In On Booming Tourism

Tuaran: The Solaris Tuaran Market Place project along the Tuaran-Kota Belud route was relaunched here, Saturday, to cash in on the State's booming tourism industry. Its developer Subansa Sdn Bhd Managing Director Assalam Datuk Sulaiman Omar said the project comprises 106 units of two-storey commercial shoplots just outside Tuaran town. He took up the opportunity to develop the project when the previous developer decided to opt out. Assalam said he foresees huge potential and high prospects that will not only benefit investors but also the local economy. "Our goal is to create a commercial development which will be completed in two years with a blend of tourism elements that are destined to be the next big thing for Sabah's booming tourism industry, one of the largest contributors to the State's revenue. "The aggressive commitment by the State Government for the tourism sector makes our project more appealing as Solaris Tuaran Market Place would be the first and only commercial development in the market that includes the tour bus pit stop to cater the tour operators. "It aims to give fellow travellers and customers a brand new unforgettable experience by injecting functionality of western style rest stop into traditional shop offices. Of course, blending all this with our local cultures," he said at the relaunch by the Head of State's consort, Toh Puan Norlidah binti Tan Sri R.M. Jasni. Also present were State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor cum Sulaman assemblyman, Tuaran District Assistant Officer Abdullah Sani Daud, Tuaran Council Executive Officer Sadan bin Hussain and other officials. Assalam said some tour operators have agreed to bring in tourists to Solaris on a regular basis as there will be a market place for them to enjoy and buy variety of local products. "A farmer's market will also be incorporated within the development to create opportunities for local farmers in the district. We plan it to be operational daily to encourage the promotion of our local farmer products for both local and foreign consumers. "We are also in the midst of talks with some retail brands to bring factory outlets stores to Solaris as well as bringing in local food and beverage players which have shown keen interest in setting up their outlets in the development project," he said. Assalam said they aim to turn the project into the people's choice when comes to shopping and leisure, especially to the people of Tuaran and the surrounding areas. - Hayati Dzulkifli Source: Daily Express
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