Latest news with #TourismMalaysiaSabah
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.
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
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.
Borneo Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Cultural welcome at KKIA marks Kaamatan Festival and gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026
Tourists arriving at KKIA receiving goodie bags from Tourism Malaysia. KOTA KINABALU (May 30): In celebration of Sabah's iconic Kaamatan Festival and in anticipation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, Tourism Malaysia Sabah hosted a special welcoming event at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), showcasing the richness of local culture and tradition to arriving travellers. Throughout the day, 27 flights touched down during the event period, bringing in visitors from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and across Malaysia. An estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic passengers were greeted with festive cheer and immersive cultural experiences. Arriving guests were treated to traditional Magunatip (bamboo dance) and KadazanDusun performances, alongside tastings of local delicacies such as tapai (fermented glutinous rice), offering them an authentic slice of Sabah's heritage. The event was officially launched with a symbolic gong-beating ceremony by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The celebration also featured a traditional winnowing of rice by distinguished guests and a Kulintangan music performance, encapsulating the spirit of the Kaamatan Festival. Among the dignitaries present were Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah; Jefry Ramli, Senior Airport Manager of KKIA; Bobby Alex @ William, Marketing Manager of Sabah Tourism Board; Alex Chong, Deputy Chairman of MATTA Sabah Chapter; Vincent Sia, Chairman of the Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter; and Melanie Chu, Chairman of the Sabah Tourist Association (STA), along with representatives from various airlines. Celebrated annually in May, the Kaamatan Festival honours the rice spirit Bambaazon and is a time for thanksgiving, unity and cultural pride among Sabah's indigenous communities. This initiative aligns with Tourism Malaysia's mission to enhance cultural tourism and elevate visitor experiences ahead of VM2026. Malaysia's tourism industry continues to show robust recovery and growth. In 2024, the country welcomed 38 million international visitors — a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 8.3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Visitor receipts surged to RM106.78 billion, marking a 43.7 per cent rise from 2023 and a 20 per cent increase over 2019. The positive momentum has carried into 2025, with 13.4 million tourist arrivals recorded in the first four months — a 21 per cent year-on-year growth. The top ten visitor markets from January to April were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
