Latest news with #ExploreSabah
Borneo Post
29-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Joniston applauds formation of Tawau Tourism Working Group
Joniston greeting Tawau tourism players. TAWAU (July 29): Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has commended tourism stakeholders here for taking the initiative to form a dedicated Tawau Tourism Working Group. Joniston, who also chairs the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), described such an initiative as a timely step towards driving more structured and impactful tourism efforts in the district. 'This shows there is energy and drive within the industry. A focused and functional working group will be a good platform to push new ideas, close gaps, and advocate for the kind of support that tourism in Tawau deserves,' he said during an engagement session with stakeholders here. Organised by STB, the engagement session gathered representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Immigration Department, Tawau airport, and key tourism players in Tawau. At the same time, Joniston emphasised that the involvement of local authorities is equally crucial, as their role complements grassroots tourism initiatives, especially efforts to develop rural areas and ensure alignment with district-level planning. He stressed local authorities and District Tourism Action Committees need to be in the thick of tourism-related development, given their responsibilities in local planning, development and socio-economic growth. 'Their participation is not just expected but necessary, as tourism is one of the key pillars under the Sabah Maju Jaya development agenda, and it cannot thrive without shared responsibility,' he said. Joniston reaffirmed that the Sabah Tourism Board remains committed to supporting grassroots initiatives to strengthen tourism development at the district level. Present were STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, Sabah MOTAC director Ibrahim Othman, and Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar, among others. During the engagement session, Julinus shared ongoing initiatives, key strategies and future directions in line with the Explore Sabah campaign.
The Star
29-07-2025
- The Star
Tourism players urged build on Tawau's nature tourism strength
STB chief executive officer Julinus Jimit talking to tourism stakeholders in Tawau. KOTA KINABALU: Tawau's reputation as an eco-tourism destination on Sabah's east coast was reinforced during an engagement session organised by the Sabah Tourism Board with local tourism players on Tuesday (July 29). State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew highlighted Tawau's appeal to nature lovers, conservation advocates, and eco-conscious travellers, urging stakeholders to build on this strength. "Places like Tawau Hills Park offer not just towering tropical trees and rare species, but real opportunities for birding, nature photography, and wildlife experiences that more travellers are now looking for," she said in a speech delivered by her assistant minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman. Liew noted that the district has long attracted researchers and conservationists due to its biodiversity and emphasised the importance of connecting destinations like Tawau to markets that value meaningful, community-driven travel experiences. Currently, Tawau is served by five airlines: Malaysia Airlines, MASwings, Firefly, AirAsia, and Batik Air, with 154 weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kota Kinabalu, and Sandakan, offering over 27,000 seats. Liew said Tawau's strong air connectivity is not the issue, but building on its strengths to position it as a destination in its own right rather than just a stopover is crucial. The minister called for better collaboration between tourism operators, local communities, and government agencies to ensure that strategies are grounded in reality. She stated that the Sabah Tourism Board will continue its efforts under the Explore Sabah campaign, designed to complement Visit Malaysia 2026 while driving domestic and international arrivals to districts like Tawau. During the engagement, STB chief executive officer Julinus Jimit provided updates on the current tourism outlook, ongoing efforts under the state's Explore Sabah campaign, and the potentials for Tawau. The session is part of ongoing efforts to keep tourism development inclusive and aligned with Sabah's overall direction.
Daily Express
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah readies for Visit Malaysia Year 2026
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Liew joined by guests and children in traditional dresses launch the conference and expo. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is taking strategic steps to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Explore Sabah 2026/2027 by showcasing authentic, inclusive, and impactful tourism experiences, said Datuk Seri Christina Liew. The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said among them is to focus on expanding economic opportunities for Community-Based Tourism (CBT) operators and introducing innovative approaches to elevate the sector. 'These forward-thinking efforts will not only enhance Sabah and Malaysia's competitiveness but ensure we stay rooted in our cultural values and commitment to sustainability,' said Liew at the launch of the two-day CBT Conference and Expo 2025 at Suria Sabah. She said this is a first scale event of its kind, reflecting the increasing dedication to tourism that uplifts and empowers local communities. 'It is a dynamic movement to preserves culture, protects nature and creates economic opportunities for local people. 'In a world searching for sustainable and inclusive solutions, Sabah is ready to lead by example,' said Liew. Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the conference serves as a platform to further promote knowledge exchange among CBT practitioners, inspire local communities, and introduce global best practices that can be adapted. STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit said many local tourism products are still in the early stages and require further support and capacity-building to grow. 'This signals a shift in the travel industry, where mass tourism is gradually giving way to a model that prioritises local community involvement,' he said. He said the aim of CBT is to improve the socio economy of the rural areas as tourism is one of the three pillars under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, alongside agriculture and industry. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty, eradicating hunger, improving education and building sustainable community, he said. 'We cannot do it alone, but if we share one mission, one purpose, and if all stakeholders align, we believe we can turn these goals into reality,' he said. He the CBT activities generated around RM6 million in income across 18 districts in 2023, and increased to RM7 million last year. 'Our goal is to push the income above the poverty line index,' he said. The conference features success stories and key experts from Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia who will take part in knowledge-sharing and networking session aimed at strengthening local initiatives and illustrating best practices in CBT. The event is co-organised by STB and United Nations Development Programme. * 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
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tourism Malaysia launches ‘Explore Sabah' campaign
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Haryanty (fourth from left) with tourism stakeholders launching the 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign. Kota Kinabalu: Tourism Malaysia Sabah is leveraging on digital marketing to further boost the strong recovery of the tourism sector. Its Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said they are embracing digitalisation and innovative marketing strategies in advancing the goals of Visit Malaysia 2026. 'We are confident in driving greater visibility for Sabah and Labuan through an e-commerce travel platform,' she said at the launch of 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign here. The campaign, aimed at positioning Sabah as a premier travel destination in Malaysia, will be carried out in partnership with to promote over 400 curated travel experiences across the State to both domestic and international markets. Tourism Malaysia Sabah Marketing Director Poh Khay Inn said this collaboration underscores its commitment to connecting Sabah and Labuan with global travellers through instant bookings and engaging digital content. 'We are proud to work alongside Tourism Malaysia to showcase Sabah's lush rainforests, rich heritage and captivating travel experiences,' she said. Highlights include island hopping and diving in Semporna, wildlife and river safaris in Kinabatangan, the Mount Kinabalu expedition, cultural village and heritage tours, as well as eco-retreats such as hilltop resorts and rainforest escapes. Additionally, the campaign extends to Labuan, promoting activities such as sunset cruises and yacht charters, beachside retreats and snorkelling spots, WWII historical trails and memorial tours, and cultural attractions like the Labuan Museum and Chimney Tower. Running from April 2025 to February 2026, the campaign offers up to 30 per cent discounts for bookings made through the online platform using the promo code XPLORE5. From January to April 2025, Malaysia recorded 13.4 million international visitor arrivals, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. China has emerged as the third largest source market, followed by Singapore and Indonesia, and ahead of Thailand and India. With 1.4 million Chinese visitors recorded in the first four months of 2025 (a 37.8 per cent increase from the previous year), Malaysia is progressing well towards achieving its target of 43 million international visitor arrivals and generating RM283.8 billion in tourism receipts by the end of the year. Tourism Malaysia is also distributing official Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional vehicle stickers to licensed tour operators across Sabah. * 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
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Kiulu school poised to lead edu-tourism
Joniston welcomed by students in traditional attire performing the Botumban dance. KIULU (May 28): SMK Tun Fuad Stephens here is well-positioned to take the lead in pioneering edu-tourism efforts as the area is fast becoming a popular summer camp destination, said Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Enviornment Minister said through such efforts students of the school could take an active role in showcasing their hometown to visitors, especially foreign students. He said the school has the potential to become the main driver of such programmes, especially since it is the only secondary school in the area. 'With Kiulu already known as a destination for summer camps involving foreign students, there is great potential to develop edu-tourism programmes that involve our local students directly in showcasing their village,' he said at the school's Kaamatan celebration on Wednesday. According to the Kiulu Tourism Association, Kiulu hosted 37 summer camp groups from United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand involving 851 students last year and first four months this year. Joniston, who also chairs the Sabah Tourism Board, said one idea worth exploring is Kiulu Discovery Day concept, where schools in the area collaborate to host visiting students for immersive community-based learning experiences. Joniston said the concept aligns with ongoing efforts to position schools in Kiulu as eco-tourism schools to empower students as ambassadors of their environment and culture. The objective is to allow local students to act as guides and community ambassadors, giving visitors a first-hand experience of Kiulu's nature and rural lifestyle through hands-on activities. 'Our students can learn to become storytellers, which will help build their confidence and deepen their appreciation for their identity and culture, especially now that the school has established a tourism club,' he said. He added that senior students at SMK Tun Fuad could also mentor primary school students during these programmes, giving them early exposure to leadership and teamwork. Joniston stressed that the involvement of all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, the Education Department and tourism agencies, is essential to ensure such programmes can be fully realised and sustained. 'This initiative aligns well with our state and national tourism goals, especially as we head towards Visit Malaysia 2026. 'We should consider launching programmes that have the potential to involve schools or visitors from outside Sabah to further support our Explore Sabah campaign,' he said. Joniston also noted the strong interest in tourism among Kiulu students, as shown by the participation of over 100 students from the school in a youth tourism programme organised by the Sabah Tourism Board and the Kiulu Tourism Association earlier this year. He expressed hope that students will continue to embrace their cultural identity and view education not just as a personal journey, but as a tool to uplift their community and build a brighter future. In the event, Joniston also launched the SMK Tun Fuad Stephens welfare fund.
