Yapp is new GM of Sabah Tourism Board

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism Board (STB) deputy general manager Gordon Yapp has been promoted as general manager effective April 1, 2016. Gordon replaced Datuk Irene Benggon Charuruks, who stepped down as the general manager after holding the post for 25 years, transforming and driving Sabah’s tourism industry since its early years. Gordon, who is not new to the industry brings with his 30 years experience since he started as the marketing officer in 1986 at the then, Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation. He then took the role as STB’s deputy general manager and was responsible in developing markets for Sabah, especially the Korean and Japanese markets making them top visitor arrivals for 10 years. “The entire Sabah Tourism Board has confidence in the organization’s new leadership. Gordon’s appointment has been endorsed by the board and the minister,” said STB chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. “The board has no doubt in Gordon’s leadership ability to steer the organization and the tourism industry in Sabah to greater heights,” added Joniston. He said Gordon’s appointment had been well received by members of the tourism industry in Sabah. On behalf of the board, Joniston thanked Irene for her examplary and visionary leadership and tireless efforts in making Sabah a premier and preferred tourists destination during her 25 years as general manager. Source: Borneo Post
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Make it rain: Sabah urges MOSTI to conduct cloud-seeding

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is urging the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to execute cloud seeding to mitigate the worsening haze situation in the state. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the people’s health and wellbeing had to be prioritised. “It is time for the state government to discuss with the federal ministry in implementing cloud seeding to make it rain and improve the hazy situation,” he told a press conference on Sabah Fest 2016 here today. Three districts of Beaufort, Papar and Kuala Penyu recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings between unhealthy and very unhealthy levels today. Earlier, Masidi said the Sabah Fest, themed “gulu gulu”, would be showcased at the Auditorium Kompleks JKKN Sabah from April 28 to May 1. The musical will depict ancient warrior Datuk Paduka Mat Salleh fighting the British during colonial rule. Tickets are priced at RM50 each. Source: News Straits Times
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Heritage Site status for 10 Sabah tourist spots: Nazri

Kota Kinabatangan: Ten tourist spots in Sabah will be gazetted National Heritage Sites, says Tourism and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz . They are Batu Tulug Agop Archaeological Site Kinabatangan, Kinabalu National Park, Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Park Semporna, Marine Park Pulau Sipadan, Maliau Basin, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Turtle Island Park, and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Mohamed Nazri said the sites would be officially gazetted under the National Heritage Act 2005 as it was important to preserve such places of interest. "To date, a total of 12 Sabah heritage involving games, clothings, traditional food and dances have been gazetted as national heritage," he said during a visit to Batu Tulug Agop Archaeological Site near here. He added that national recognition of the 10 sites was important before they could be nominated as World Heritage Sites under Unesco. Mohamed Nazri said the Ministry, through the National Heritage Department and the Sabah Government, via the Sabah Parks were in the midst of evaluating Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon which had potential for nomination as World Heritage Sites. On the Batu Tulug Agop Archaeological Site, Mohamed Nazri said the area used to be a burial site where community in the past used log coffins to bury the dead. He said it was believed there were over 2,000 coffins in the caves of the Kinabatangan Valley. Nazri also assured that tourism destinations and attractions in the East Coast of Sabah are safe to visit. He said security forces conduct 24-hour patrols and surveillance to ensure safety in the East Coast area, including tourist spots, is at the best level. "I come here as the Minister of Tourism and Culture to see for myself and to affirm that the East Coast is safe to be visited," he said after the six-day working visit to destinations in Sandakan and some in Kinabatangan. Among the attractions were the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Bakkungaan Kecil and Selingan islands at Turtle Island Park, Kg Sukau and Gomantong Cave in Kinabatangan. Also present were State Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and other senior officials. Nazri also urged districts in the State to be aggressive in promoting their tourism products to other communities and outside the country. This is because those districts have vast areas and possess tourism attraction based on eko-tourism, culture and heritage. Nazri said direct flights from Singapore, China and several other countries to Kota Kinabalu have facilitated foreign tourists to visit the district without having to transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Meanwhile, Masidi said in his speech the travel advisory issued by certain countries did not affect tourist arrivals among foreign tourists to Sabah. He cited the number of tourists from China which rose by 24 per cent last January. He attributed the increase mainly to the 61 direct flights every week, between China and Kota Kinabalu. Source: Daily Express
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Kampung Sukau to become tourism village – Nazri

KINABATANGAN: The government has decided to turn Kampung Sukau into a tourism village in the near future. Tourism and Cultural Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who visited the village yesterday, said the village which is rich in biodiversity, had the potential to emerge as a well-known tourism spot. The village is the centre of the Sungai Tribe to hold various cultural events such as Pesta Sungai in May and Pesta Damas in November apart from producing handicrafts, cultural arts and bird nests. “Looking at this potential, the government will give a grant and allocation to upgrade the public toilet, homestay, cluster inns and jetty not only for the usage of local residents but also for visitors. “In order to emerge as a well-known tourist spot, cleanliness is very important. Good hygiene must be practised not only by local residents but also by homestay and tour operators, who should ensure they have clean toilets and a clean surrounding compound of their homestay,” he said after officiating the ceremony of ‘Merakyatkan Seni Budaya’ organised by Sabah Association of Bangsa Sungai (SABAS) at Kampung Sukau, Kinabatangan, yesterday. In order to keep up with recent developments, Nazri said the government would review the license fee for those locals who work as guides. The current rate charged is RM550 for a period of three years and is seen as a burden for the tour guides. Therefore, a review is needed to ease their burden, Nazri added. Also present were Assistant Culture, Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi, SABAS president Datuk Wahid Norbinsa and deputy president Datuk Johari Janan. Source: Borneo Post
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Federal tourism minister insists Sabah safe despite security fears

SANDAKAN, March 30 ― Sabah is safe to visit, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz assures tourists. He stopped by at various tourism points in the east coast of Sabah during a six-day working visit. “The security forces conduct 24-hour patrols to ensure that safety in the area including tourist spots is at the best level,” he said at a dinner function last night. Also present was Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. Among the tourist attractions that Mohamed Nazri visited were the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Bakkungaan Kecil and Selingan islands at the Turtle Island Park, Kampung Sukau and Gomantong Cave in Kinabatangan. “I come here as Minister for Tourism and Culture, to gauge for myself and affirm that the east coast of Sabah is safe to visit,” he said, while urging districts in the state to be aggressive in promoting their tourism products. Meanwhile, Masidi said in his speech that the travel advisory issued by certain countries had not affected foreign visitor arrival to Sabah. He cited the number of tourists from China which rose by 24 per cent last January. He attributed the increase mainly to the 61 direct flights every week, between China and Kota Kinabalu. ― Bernama Source: The Malay Mail Online
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