Latest news with #Tourism
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Residents oppose construction of resort and tree cutting at Sadashivagad fort
Karwar: The tourism department had proposed resort in the middle of the historic Sadashivagad fort, which is stoutly opposed by the residents of Sadashivagad (Chittakula) village in Karwar taluk. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Village locals lodged a complaint against the Tourism, Forest and Jungle Lodge Resorts Ltd; for destroying trees and damaging the fort, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India. "The fort was built by Sadashivaraya of the Sonde kingdom and was completed by his son in the 16th century. It served as a protector for Coastal Karnataka, from the Portuguese attacking from Goa. Chhatrapati Shivaji visited the fort twice. A historical Durga temple was built there about 400 years ago. It was listed as an important monument by the ASI. Despite all that, the tourism department cut down about 100 trees and drilled stones in the fort wall, without any permission from either ASI or the local authorities. This act is unpardonable. We have lodged a complaint against the officials for damaging the historic fort and destroying trees," said Kishor Desai, advocate and activist. President of Sanatana Seva Sangha, Vinayak Gaonkar said that the fort is built in a picturesque place at the confluence of River Kali and the Arabian Sea. "For generations, hundreds of tourists used to visit the place to watch the sunset at the Kali confluence. But now the tourism department set up a gate and restricted the entry of the common people a few months back. The area is of religious and historical importance, and destruction in the name of tourism cannot be tolerated," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ashok Rane, an activist alleged that he and members of other organisations went to Chittakula police station to lodge a complaint against tourism officials. "Instead of accepting the complaint, the PSI threatened them not to file any complaint. If police can behave in this manner with officials, what will they do with common people? Police department should look into this," Rane said. When contacted, forest officials washed their hands of the matter, and said they were not aware of any such tree cutting and that the department would look into it. Tourism department official, on condition of anonymity, said that they did not violate any law and that the construction of the road in the fort and cutting of trees was as per law. JRL officials were not available to comment. Meanwhile, local organisations submitted a memorandum to the district administration, and the additional DC assured action against the erring officials. Locals threatened to launch an agitation if the construction inside the fort is not stopped immediately.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia eyes Middle East tourists with 'Brunei+' travel package
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is set to deepen its tourism ties with Middle Eastern nations by adopting a proven strategy pioneered by Royal Brunei Airlines, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. He highlighted the success of the airline's "Brunei + Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu" model, which offers travellers a complimentary overnight stay in Brunei before continuing on to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu. The initiative has received encouraging market response and was recently expanded to include Kuching. "Given the strong reception, we are planning to replicate this model for the Middle Eastern and Indian markets, in partnership with Royal Brunei Airlines, to draw more international tourists to our shores," he said in a statement. Tiong said that during the 2025 Arabian Travel Market, he and Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy held talks with Royal Brunei Airlines' UAE regional manager, Jalal Sanour Rahman. The discussions resulted in a preliminary agreement to adapt the "Brunei+" model specifically for the UAE market. The new travel package will target the 4.5 million Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, offering a seven-day, six-night itinerary that includes Brunei and Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia will sponsor a one-night stay in Kota Kinabalu or Kuching as part of the package. "Our target is to attract at least one million Indian expatriates from the UAE to visit both countries. I hope to finalise this package by year-end in support of our target to welcome 45 million international tourists under Visit Malaysia 2026," he added. To support promotional activities, Tiong said that Tourism Malaysia would offer 30 familiarisation trip slots to Royal Brunei Airlines, enabling its representatives to explore key attractions across various Malaysian states. The familiarisation trip is tentatively scheduled for September or October, with the itinerary to be confirmed by the end of August. In addition, he proposed that Royal Brunei Airlines consider expanding its network through more connecting routes, including direct flights from Dubai to Brunei with onward connections to Peninsular Malaysia destinations such as Melaka, Johor, Pahang, and Perak. These routes, he said, could be introduced via codeshare agreements or chartered flights, strengthening the positioning of Malaysia and Brunei as joint gateways for regional tourism. "This approach — where travellers arrive via Brunei and depart from Malaysia — also supports the growth of the Muslim-friendly tourism segment between our two countries," he said, adding that his ministry would work closely with the Transport Ministry to facilitate approvals for any new flight routes.
The Star
a day ago
- 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.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, officiates closing of State-level Kaamatan Festival 2025
Hajiji, together with Tun Musa, performing the mongomot ceremony or rice harvesting as a symbolic gesture to mark the closing of the State-Level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang on Saturday. PENAMPANG (May 31): The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, officiated the closing of the State-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA here on Saturday. Tun Musa was accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor during the traditional mongomot (rice harvesting) ceremony, which was followed by the symbolic striking of the gong seven times to mark the end of this year's celebration. Also taking part in the mongomot ceremony were KDCA President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam; Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya; Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. The Chief Minister's wife, Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Juliah Salag, was also present. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier officiated the opening of the State-level Kaamatan Festival at the same venue on Friday.
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Pairin urges Sabahans to guard traditions against AI misuse
Tuan Yang DiPertua for Sabah Tun Musa Aman (third left), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (sixth left) and Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (left) dancing the sumazau at the closing of the month-long Kaamatan Festival 2025 on Friday (May 31). KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan calls for unity and warns against misusing artificial intelligence (AI) as the month-long Kaamatan Festival 2025 closes. Speaking at the grand finale held at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on Friday (May 31), Pairin said that the unchecked use of AI could lead to cultural erosion and even destruction. 'If misused, AI can become a force of destruction. It can distort values, misrepresent our traditions, and lead us away from our true identity as Sabahans and Malaysians,' said Pairin, who is also Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community). The KDCA president also acknowledged the presence of Tun Musa Aman, who came for the first time in his capacity as the Tuan Yang DiPertua of Sabah. 'We are one big family, and Kaamatan is a platform that brings us together, not just to honour the harvest, but to reaffirm our identity and aspirations,' he said. Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Tuan Yang DiPertua for Sabah Tun Musa Aman (middle), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (left), Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (second left) and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (second right) singing the Kaamatan song during the official closing of the month-festival on Friday (May 31). Pairin said that Kaamatan is a bridge that connects the people of Sabah, to their ancestors and the world. 'This is where culture meets innovation, and where we must walk carefully 'Let your imagination fly, but let it be rooted in values. We want our traditions to evolve, not disappear,' he said. The celebration ended with a formal declaration by Tun Musa, who marked it with the beating of the gong seven times.
