Latest news with #CultureandEnvironmentMinistry
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
New tourism projects to ease Semporna congestion
Christina receives a memento from Zhao Jun (third from left). KOTA KINABALU (June 6): The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has proposed two major projects aimed at retaining tourists in Tawau. Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, said one of the projects is the Tawau Tourism Jetty which will allow ferries to transport tourists between Tawau and Semporna on a fixed schedule. This initiative aims to encourage tourists to stay overnight in Tawau while easing congestion in Semporna. Christina noted that Semporna, a favorite destination among Chinese tourists, is facing congestion due to its popularity for diving. The long travel distance from Tawau Airport to Semporna has also led to traffic accidents. The other project is the development of Tawau Hill Park which will see the construction of chalets, guided tours and a Pangolin Research Centre to attract eco-tourists and provide overnight options in Tawau. The project is expected to begin by year-end. The Floating Club House at Gaya Island. In addition, Christina said Sandakan will also be promoted, with funding allocated for wildlife sanctuaries such as the elephant sanctuary to ensure balanced tourism development. 'Sandakan's wildlife attractions cater to a different segment of tourists, so facility upgrades are necessary,' she said at the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island today. Christina disclosed that Sabah has recorded 1.18 million visitor arrivals from January to April this year, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. 'We are optimistic that tourist arrivals will continue to grow in the coming quarters, especially with improvements in transportation, logistics, food and entertainment,' she said. Christina expressed confidence that the Sabah Tourism Board's 2025 target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals is achievable. She highlighted that tourists from China, South Korea, and even France are among those contributing to the growth, with tourism operators investing heavily in new facilities to accommodate the expected increase — particularly from China. Earlier in her speech, Christina described the launch of the Floating Club House at Gaya Island as a milestone in Sabah's tourism evolution. 'This represents strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to elevate high-value tourism in Sabah,' she said. She praised Lazy Cat International Travel Service Co. Ltd. for their substantial investment in Sabah's tourism sector, including luxury yacht services, cultural tourism ventures, and marine transportation enhancements via their local subsidiary, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd. The Floating Club House, uniquely constructed atop the sea, offers sustainable luxury with facilities for dining, leisure, and scenic appreciation — setting a new benchmark for marine-based tourism experiences in the state. Also present at the launch were Malaysian Tourism Federation President Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd Chairman Ken Pan Ying On, CEO Thonny Chee, Cheetah Transportation Sdn Bhd Director Eric Yong, and Lazy Cat Chairman Zhao Jun.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Environmentalists propose Japanese tech to eliminate smells at wet market
Yee and his team visiting the KK Central Market. KOTA KINABALU: Environmentalists are proposing the use of Japanese microorganism technology to eliminate persistent odours at wet markets here. The proposal, raised by the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa), has been submitted to the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, along with a plan to test the technology at the Central Market here for three months. Sepa president Alexander Yee said the initiative would be a valuable opportunity to work with the ministry to improve hygiene and cleanliness at the market. The move followed a courtesy call by the association to minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew in April. "We were encouraged by the minister to play a proactive role in maintaining cleanliness in the state capital in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. 'So, I led a team of exco members to visit several sites including the KK Central Market, before proposing any possible solutions," Yee said. He said that as a high tourist concentration area, the market and its surrounding destinations should be kept clean and presentable.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
MOU with Boseong county marks new chapter in cultural ties, says Bangkuai
KOTA KINABALU: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Boseong County, South Korea, marks a meaningful step towards building deeper cultural ties and fostering mutual understanding, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The state Assistant Tourism Minister further described the collaboration as a people-focused partnership, adding the timing of the agreement made it especially significant. The MOU was inked during a welcoming dinner held in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival in Kota Kinabalu on Friday (May 31). It was signed by the ministry's deputy permanent secretary I Mary Malangking and Boseong County deputy governor Seo Hyung Bin, and witnessed by Bangkuai, who is also the Sabah Tourism Board chairman, alongside the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Boseong County director-general, Rho Joung Yi. 'This partnership is about people. It is about building connections and sharing stories. Signing this MOU during the Kaamatan Festival makes it all the more special. 'With this year's theme, Kaamatan for All, we are eager to share our celebration with the world, and it is an honour to welcome our friends from Boseong to be part of it,' he said. Bangkuai highlighted Sabah's recent participation in the Green Tea Festival in Boseong as a valuable cultural exchange, adding that the warm welcome and chance to learn about Korean tea culture were deeply appreciated and reflective of the spirit of mutual respect. With direct flights between Kota Kinabalu and South Korea, he believes the collaboration could lead to more exchanges in the form of cultural performances, reciprocal visits and tourism promotions. As part of this cultural exchange, a Boseong cultural troupe is scheduled to perform during the Kaamatan Festival grand finale at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang. 'This will allow Sabahans to experience the vibrancy of Boseong's cultural heritage, just as we hope to one day bring the Kaamatan Festival to Boseong,' Bangkuai added.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah to host Asean Travel Exchange 2025, gathering influential tourism players
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is set to host the Asean Travel Exchange (Atex) 2025 on June 19, which promises to spark fruitful collaborations among Asean tourism industry players. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was briefed on Atex 2025 by a delegation of influential tourism players at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Monday (May 26). Federation of Asean Travel Association (Fata) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said Atex 2025 will be the first international business-to-business tourism event to be hosted. The event is expected to bring in 200 international buyers and 100 regional sellers for trade, dialogue and collaboration in the tourism sector. The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and key tourism organisations are supporting the Atex 2025. Industry players expect Atex 2025 to be a game changer in positioning Sabah at the forefront of regional and international tourism markets. Among those in the delegation with Tan, who is Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president, were Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta) president Eddy Krismeidi, Nigel Wong and Air Asia director for Global Policy and Government Relations Zamani Rafique. State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Chairman of Sabah Tourism, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai was also present.
Daily Express
21-05-2025
- Daily Express
Tip of Borneo reopens after major three-year upgrade
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Liew (fourth left) with ministry officials and tourism stakeholders during the reopening ceremony of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. KUDAT: The iconic Tip of Borneo, or Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, has officially reopened after being closed for over three years for major upgrades. The facelift, led by the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, features a new Visitor's Information Centre with plans for Sabah's first and largest marine gallery nearby. Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the site had been closed since January 2022 for improvements under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, with works completed last September. She said the 11-hectare landmark was gazetted for public use in 2018 and has since been protected and promoted by the Ministry. The northernmost point of Sabah, where two seas meet, remains a top tourist attraction known for its panoramic views and cultural value. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
