Sabah eyes bigger slice of Singapore tourism with direct Scoot flights to Sandakan
Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and STB chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the route would boost Sabah's visibility among Singaporeans and attract other international travellers to travel through Changi Airport.
'Sabah is not just about Mount Kinabalu or Sipadan, but also Sandakan – a gateway to nature. We have diverse attractions. A lot of Singaporeans love nature, and what better place to visit than Sandakan,' he told Bernama after launching the Sabah Fest 2025 – Singapore Edition, here on Saturday.
Joniston expressed hope that travel agents in Singapore would showcase Sabah's wide-ranging attractions, from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, by introducing exciting travel packages.
As of May this year, he said more than 13,000 Singaporeans had visited Sabah, and he hoped the number would continue to increase in line with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) campaign.
'Tourism Malaysia Singapore in collaboration with the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS), together with other agencies, are working hard to help promote Sabah,' he added.
He also expressed hope that Scoot and AirAsia would consider increasing the frequency of their Singapore-Kota Kinabalu direct flights.
Joniston said the three-day Sabah Fest 2025 – Singapore Edition, held at Marina Square from Friday and organised by STTOS, offers Singaporeans a glimpse of Sabah's culture, tourism and trade ahead of the full-month celebration in the state next month.
At the event, Joniston also launched the 'Stamp and Feel Sabah' campaign – a stamp rally programme introduced by STTOS to encourage Singaporean travellers to explore Sabah. Travellers can collect a stamp booklet from Tourism Malaysia's Singapore office, earn stamps by visiting listed attractions, and redeem rewards at the STTOS office while stocks last.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar said the High Commission is proud to support Sabah Fest 2025 as it aligns with its mission to foster bilateral ties through cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and economic cooperation.
'This event directly supports the VMY2026 promotional campaign by highlighting Sabah's unique cultural and natural attractions to Singapore audiences,' he added.
Sabah Fest 2025 – Singapore Edition showcases products from Desa Dairy Farm, Jetsin Sdn Bhd, Kerupuk Lelek Enterprise Sdn Bhd, and Origame, the Singapore distributor for My First Trip in Sabah –the first Sabah-themed board game. Visitors are also treated to lively cultural performances by a group called Era Budaya and rendition by Sabahan singer Dabra Sia. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Investment property portfolio to buoy IOIProp
PETALING JAYA: IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIProp) is poised for an improvement in its earnings outlook beyond the financial year 2025 (FY25), driven by an expanding investment property portfolio and stable contributions from its property development segment. CIMB Securities Research, which initiated coverage on the stock, said the bright prospects of the property group has been underappreciated due to concerns over its elevated gearing. 'We view IOIProp as an undervalued structural growth story, underpinned by a 15.6% compounded annual growth rate in FY27 core earnings per share, driven by the expansion of its investment property portfolio and incremental earnings contribution from W Residences,' it noted. In addition, there are potential improvements in IOIProp's gearing from the monetisation of its investment properties via real estate investment trust (REIT) listings as well as improving earnings quality with resilient recurring income. Hence, the research house has pegged an 'add' rating on the stock with a target price of RM3.25 per share. The research house also believes that IOIProp stands to benefit from accelerated growth in property demand in Johor, driven by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone or JS-SEZ, thanks to its landbank of over 3,000 acres in the state. Following the recent addition of new investment properties and the commencement of IOI Central Boulevard Towers or ICBT in Singapore in July 2024, IOIProp's earnings quality has improved markedly, with increased contributions from its recurring income assets. 'We also expect the ongoing acquisition of the remaining 50.1% stake in South Beach development for S$834.2mil (about RM2.75bil) to be earnings-accretive despite the potential rise in near-term gearing,' it added. CGS International Research (CGSI Research) has estimated IOIProp's earnings before income tax (Ebit) contributions from its property investment segment will rise meaningfully to 47% of the group Ebit by FY27 (from 24% in FY18), the highest among its Malaysia property coverage universe. 'This makes IOIProp less susceptible to fluctuations in property development earnings and narrows the deep discount to return on net asset value, in our view,' the research house noted. CGSI Research also said IOIProp has been reported to be exploring two REIT listings – one for its Malaysian assets worth RM7bil-RM8bil and another for Singapore-based assets worth S$7bil-S$8bil. 'Based on our assumptions of IOIProp retaining 50% controlling stakes in both REITs post their listings in FY27 to FY28, and a combined listing valuation of RM32.3bil, we project the group's net gearing to fall to about 0.36 times by end-FY28. 'This is a meaningful improvement from 0.97 times in a scenario without the monetisation.' CGSI Research also viewed the potential REIT listings as dual-impact, thereby unlocking value in the group's investment property portfolio, and serving as structural drivers in IOIProp's valuation.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
When Rome sizzles, tourists go underground and after dark
ROME, Aug 17 — It was already 30C at 9:30am as New Zealander Olivia Ansari waited with other tourists outside Rome's Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, seeking relief underground from the punishing summer heat. At a refreshing 15C, the catacombs were a popular place to hide this week as temperatures in the Eternal City reached almost 40C, while other visitors sought out evening tours and 2am walks. 'If we could have postponed our trip, we would have done it, but everything was already booked,' said Ansari, 32, visiting Italy with her mother and an aunt. Instead, they adapted. 'We booked our earliest tour starting at 7:30am, and aim to be home before midday,' she told AFP, taking refuge on a shaded stone bench near the Appian Way next to her aunt, who appeared overwhelmed by the heat. They do not venture out again before 4pm or 5pm, and, as in many Mediterranean countries, they pushed back their dinner time by three hours to 9pm. People sit in front of the Colosseum in central Rome August 13, 2025. — AFP pic In central Rome, Rafael Falcao also headed underground, to the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars on the Via Veneto, which he found relatively cool. He too, had to change his plans as a heatwave punishing southern Europe pushed up Rome's already high August temperatures. 'Yesterday, we rented a small car to visit the city because it was too hot to walk,' the 42-year-old Brazilian said. Patricia Kolodziej, a 41-year-old Polish woman living in Britain, said she struggled to find things to do with her toddler in the heat. But she managed to get tickets for the last entry to the Colosseum, the ancient Roman amphitheatre that's a must-see for tourists — but which can be a furnace during the day. 'We have chosen more sightseeing in the evening,' Kolodziej told AFP. A few steps away, under the shadow of the Colosseum, an Asian tourist who declined to give her name, seemed close to fainting, her forehead sweating. 'We came late on purpose, but it's no use,' she said. People walk in front of the Colosseum in central Rome August 13, 2025. — AFP pic Nobody out Online travel portal predicted last October that 'noctourism' — nighttime tourism — will be one of the trends of 2025. It blamed rising temperatures due to climate change, as well as overtourism. Several Rome sites offer evening activities, including the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum which opens late at night twice a week. Tickets quickly disappear but Madison Thibert, from the US state of North Dakota, secured one, allowing her to enjoy the sight of the ancient monument bathed in moonlight. Thibert said she and her boyfriend had been exploring the city after hours, when temperatures reduce, and so do the crowds. 'We just walked around, we saw the Trevi Fountain, came by the Colosseum. We took some of the scooters around on the roads,' Thibert said. 'It was a lot cooler,' she noted, and, 'nobody was out. It was perfect.' — AFP
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sabah govt allocates RM600,000 to help e-hailing workers open EPF accounts, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — The Sabah government will allocate about RM600,000 for gig workers in the e-hailing sector to open Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said a total 11,109 applications have been received from e-hailing workers to contribute to the EPF. 'I would like to announce that the state government is allocating nearly RM600,000 to assist those (e-hailing workers) who have yet to open up their EPF account,' he said at the Sabah Moto Day 8.0 at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Drill Field near here, today. Hajiji was also glad to note that Sabah Moto Day continued to grow exponentially attracting about 60,000 motorcylists and motor enthusiasts from all over Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei this year. The presence of many riders and visitors proved that motorcycling activities continue to hold a place in the hearts of youths and the general public, he said. 'I am impressed to see the support shown by all participants, regardless of age, race and religion, coming together to share the same passion. 'We should view this gathering from a positive perspective, as it can contribute, to some extent, to the economic generation of our state due to the large number of participants and visitors in conjunction with this programme, he said. Advising participants of the Sabah Moto Day to prioritise safety while on road, Hajiji also hoped the gathering would help create greater safety awareness among the two- wheeler enthusiasts. The chief minister also informed the participants that the state government viewed youths as asset, hence various initiatives have been implemented to develop the human capital. The state government of today had spent a total RM1.33 billion including RM848.26 million for education assistance and RM485 million specifically for talent and skills development programmes from 2021 to 2025, he said. 'This has never been done by previous state governments. We are committed to develop our youths who are our future leaders,' he said. At the end of his speech, Hajiji also led the participants to offer Al-Fatihah prayer for the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. — The Borneo Post
