Latest news with #HaryantyAbuBakar
The Star
10-07-2025
- The Star
Visit Malaysia 2026: Fam trip brings journalists, influencers to see less-explored sides of Sabah
Participants learning weaving. KOTA KINABALU: A familiarisation trip filled with cultural discoveries, coupled with immersive nature experiences, was part of a tourism campaign to uncover more of Sabah's hidden gems. Themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature', this five-day tour from last Friday (July 4) to Tuesday, saw nine media personnel and social influencers from Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Brunei taking part. Participants learning traditional dances. It was part of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia and Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, focusing on districts such as Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat that are less known to tourists. Mansau-ansau is a Kadazan Dusun word which means going somewhere. During this excursion, participants were brought to Sabah's Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. A Tourism Malaysia official taking a group photo before cycling. They were introduced to local cultures at the Walai Tobilung (Tombilung ethnic house), such as bobolian (spiritual healer) ritual, with hands-on experiences with traditional musical instruments, traditional dances, and preparing heritage dishes such as the kuih panjaram. They learnt basics in motif embroidery in Kudat, corn husk crafts in Kota Marudu, as well as cultural embroidery and parang making in Kota Belud. Aerial view of the floating coral. For physical activities and adventure in Kota Belud, these visitors had fun trekking the Aura Montaria hill, known to some as one of the best hiking trails in Sabah and cycling in the mist of a paddy field in Kg Sangkir. As they moved nearer back to the city, they took a stop in Tuaran to enjoy the Tembara River Cruise, where they saw fireflies, watched the sunset by the river in an immersive appreciation of nature. A demonstration to panjaram making. According to Tourism Malaysia director for Sabah Haryanty Abu Bakar, this programme was in line with their effort to promote Sabah's lesser-explored destinations. She said by bringing in the media and content creators to introduce Sabah's hidden gem digitally, they hope to be able to engage more visitors and bring in more people here with the power of storytelling from these individuals. A group photo before hiking on Aura Montaria. 'The power of storytelling, digital media and content creation has a huge impact on tourism growth in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole,' she said. 'Tourism Malaysia values all forms of collaboration and support in introducing Sabah's unique tourism portfolio and will continue to strengthen strategic partnerships for the success of the VM2026,' Haryanty added.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Borneo Post
'Mansau-Ansau' Trail showcases hidden treasures of North Borneo
Participants of the Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail fam trip from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei with Haryanty (front row, fifth from left). KOTA KINABALU (July 9): A five-day familiarisation trip themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature' has shed light on Sabah's lesser-known northern corridor, unveiling its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to a select group of media and tourism players. Organised by Tourism Malaysia Sabah from July 4 to 8, the initiative aimed to spotlight Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat as untapped gems within the state's rural tourism landscape. Derived from the Kadazan Dusun language, 'Mansau Ansau' simply means 'jalan-jalan' or to stroll. True to its name, the programme took participants on an immersive journey that blends nature, culture and off-the-beaten-path adventure, offering experiences often overlooked by mainstream tourists. The initiative supports the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026), targeting increased footfall to rural destinations while promoting community-led tourism. A total of nine participants, including local media, social media influencers and tourism industry partners from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei joined the trail. Among the highlights were visits to iconic attractions such as the Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the stunning Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. The group also had the rare opportunity to experience traditional rituals at Walai Tobilung, including a bobolian ceremony, cultural dance performances, local musical instruments and ancestral dishes cooked with native techniques. Handcrafted excellence took centre stage in visits to community-based craft hubs: Sulaman Pis in Kudat, Corn Husk Crafts in Kota Marudu and Sulaman Serdang as well as traditional parang forging in Kota Belud, all showcasing the exceptional creativity and skills of local artisans. One of the trip's standout moments was the hike up Aura Montoria in Kota Belud, hailed as one of Sabah's premier trekking routes for its scenic but challenging trail. Meanwhile, a village cycling tour in Kg Sangkir, Kota Belud allowed participants to soak in the serenity of lush paddy fields, offering a taste of kampung life. At Tembara River Cruise in Tuaran, they cruised through mangrove-fringed waterways, catching glimpses of mesmerising fireflies under the twilight sky, an enchanting end to the day's adventure. Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar said the programme supports Tourism Malaysia's broader mission to diversify Sabah's tourism portfolio by promoting lesser-explored destinations. 'This initiative also aligns with our digital engagement strategies. Through travel storytelling, the media plays a vital role in capturing and conveying authentic experiences that resonate deeply with today's audience,' she said. She added that community engagement and environmental conservation remain at the heart of rural tourism development, key components being driven by Sabah's own tourism operators. Tourism Malaysia expressed its appreciation to all partners involved and reiterated its commitment to strengthening strategic collaborations in anticipation of a successful Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
Borneo Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tourism Malaysia launches Explore Sabah campaign to boost visitor arrivals
The symbolic handover of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 vehicle stickers from Haryanty (third left) to representatives of Sabah's tourism industry players. KOTA KINABALU (June 25): Tourism Malaysia Sabah, in collaboration with an e-commerce travel marketplace platform, has launched the 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign aimed at positioning Sabah as a premier travel destination in Malaysia. The initiative aligns with the national Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign and leverages digital reach to spotlight Sabah's diverse offerings to both domestic and international markets. The campaign promotes over 400 curated travel experiences across Sabah, catering to diverse travel preferences. 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 snorkeling 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% discounts for bookings made through the platform using the promo code XPLORE5. The platform allows users to instantly book multiple licensed travel experiences in one transaction with a secure payment gateway, offering flexibility and convenience to travellers. Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, said, 'Embracing digitalisation, we value this strategic partnership with to leverage their expertise and innovative marketing strategies. Through this campaign, we are confident in driving greater visibility for Sabah and Labuan while advancing the goals of Visit Malaysia 2026.' Poh Khay Inn, Marketing Director of added, 'This collaboration underscores our commitment to connecting Sabah and Labuan with global travellers through instant bookings and engaging digital content. We're proud to work alongside Tourism Malaysia to showcase Sabah's lush rainforests, rich heritage, and captivating travel experiences.' Malaysia's tourism sector continues to demonstrate strong recovery. From January to April 2025, Malaysia recorded 13.4 million international arrivals, marking a 21.0% increase compared to the same period in 2024. China has emerged as the third-largest source market, following 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% increase from the previous year), Malaysia is on track toward achieving its target of 43 million international arrivals and generating RM283.8 billion in tourism receipts by the end of the year. As part of the campaign's branding effort, Tourism Malaysia is also distributing official Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional vehicle stickers to licensed tour operators across Sabah. This symbolic gesture reinforces industry support and campaign visibility throughout the state.
