Thai Smile suspends Sabah link

BANGKOK, 17 August 2017: Technically all the indicators, including media statements, suggest Thai Smile flies to Kota Kinabalu from its Suvarnabhumi airport home-base here in Bangkok.

It is even an option on the airline’s its website where travellers can select travel to three Malaysian destinations; Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu the state capital of Sabah.

But that is where the travel experience ends; waiting for a web page to tell you “ups something is amiss.” Read more

Malindo starts Sabah charters

KOTA KINABALU, 7 July 2017: Malindo Air will introduce 10 direct flights weekly from China to Sabah during the summer months, a peak travel period for Chinese travellers.

Initially, the Kuala Lumpur-based airlines will operate charter flights, with all seats pre-sold to consortiums of Chinese tour operators who distribute low-priced inclusive holidays through retail travel channels.

However, the objective is to convince the airline ultimately to upgrade the charters to scheduled services. Read more

Sabah taps Chinese incentives

KOTA KINABALU, 7 July 2017: Sabah recently hosted two China incentive groups, each with more than 2,000 delegates.

JM Group and Perfect China are both China’s top direct sales companies.

Sabah was chosen because of its mix of beaches, cultural elements and resorts that could host large gala dinners in a garden and pool setting. Read more

STB office has colourful history

KOTA KINABALU, 22 March 2017: Last week, Sabah Tourism Board’s office building passed its 99th anniversary and is now counting down to centennial celebrations set for 16 March 2018.

The gazetted building is probably the oldest tourism board building in ASEAN and in its own right an important heritage attraction that draws photographers and tourists on city tours.

It is viewed as an icon representing the state’s efforts to preserve and restore historical buildings to bring heritage to the forefront of tourism promotions. Read more

Sabah tourism breaks records

KOTA KINABALU, 20 February 2017: Sabah’s report card for tourist arrivals in 2016 showed an overall 7.9% increase compared to 2015.

The East Malaysia state attracted 3.427 million visitors, surpassing the ‘best year in tourism’ achieved in 2013 (3.383 million).

This is an estimated RM7.25 billion generated in tourism receipts, or an extra 10% contribution to the state economy, according to Sabah Tourism. Read more

Sabah pledges to save sharks

KOTA KINABALU, 11 February 2016: Sabah’s ministry of tourism, has confirmed shark sanctuaries will be in place as early as June this year.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, said the sanctuaries would be established in waters surrounding Sabah where shark hunting would be banned.

Earlier reports in the Star Newspaper identified the sites within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park off Sabah’s east coast. Read more