LONDON, 10 November 2023: Sabah’s announcement of the UNESCO triple crown achievement during the WTM earlier this week ignited intense curiosity, leaving many tour operators eager to learn more about the latest developments in the state.

Industry leaders, influencers, and avid travellers are all clamouring for deeper insights into Sabah’s UNESCO sites.

This monumental achievement has not gone unnoticed globally, with extensive coverage in international travel media.

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Noredah Othman said this augurs well with STB’s efforts to lure international visitors to Sabah.

“It’s heartening to note that our decision to launch the triple crown at the World Travel Market 2023 has fueled our mission to entice international visitors to the captivating landscapes of Sabah,” she said.

Prominent international media outlets such as Breaking Travel News, eTurbo News, Travel and Tour World, Travel Industry Network Media, and TTR Weekly, among others, have all featured Sabah’s outstanding accomplishments.

Commenting on the WTM, Noredah said Sabah Tourism has been a consistent presence at this renowned travel event for the last 30 years.

“Every year, our participation at WTM is essential, especially after the pandemic. We have seen a strong rebound from the UK market, and we are delighted to be here.

“For the first time in many years, we have our own dedicated space, and we have nine operators representing Sabah at WTM. This positions us for substantial growth in the coming year,” she told international media.

The nine operators are Borneo Adventure, Borneo Escapade Tour; Shangri-La Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu; Borneo Eco Tours; Borneo Trails Tours and Travel; Borneo Sandakan Tours; Rustic Borneo Travel; Sepilok Tropical Wildlife Adventure; and Borneo Nature Tours.

Leading the Sabah delegation is State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

The Sabah Tourism Board also extended its gratitude to Tourism Malaysia, especially the Malaysian High Commission in London, for their continuous support for Sabah.

To a question on sustainability, Noredah underscored the long-standing commitment of Sabah’s tourism practices to sustainability.

“Sustainability has been at the core of our tourism practices. Our iconic products have always been conservation first, and tourism complements our conservation efforts. Therefore, we can proudly say that our tourism is inherently sustainable,” she affirmed.

Noredah also highlighted the vital role of events like WTM in maintaining Sabah’s status as a coveted destination for global travellers.

“Events like this bring together travel professionals, tour operators, travel agencies, and stakeholders worldwide. Witnessing how the Sabah Tourism team forges valuable connections that can lead to increased tourism business and collaboration, we are confident that STB will remain dedicated to promoting Sabah,” she remarked.
For more information visit www.sabahtourism.com.

LONDON, 9 November 2023: A British natural history publisher has hailed Sabah’s extraordinary triple-crown achievement as a powerful catalyst poised to rekindle a profound fascination with the state’s exceptional wildlife.

John Beaufoy, an avid wildlife enthusiast, believed this accolade would not only deepen the world’s appreciation for Sabah’s ecological wonders but also issue a captivating call to a global audience to explore the region’s rich biodiversity.

“I’ve had the privilege of visiting Sabah multiple times over the past 25 years. With its newfound UNESCO triple-crown status, I firmly believe it will elevate Sabah, especially Kinabalu Park, to the pinnacle of wildlife history destinations,” he said.

Beaufoy shared his reflections following the unveiling of Sabah’s Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark during the World Travel Market 2023 at Excel London on Monday (6 November).

The launch was graced by Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK, Datuk Zakri Jaafar.

At the same time, they also launched a bird guidebook titled “A Naturalist’s Guide to Borneo’s Birds (4th edition)”, authored by Sabah’s Wong Tsu Shi and published by John Beaufoy Publishing.

Beaufoy pointed out that Sabah has already drawn many UK wildlife enthusiasts eager to explore the state’s diverse wildlife, from birdlife to butterflies and mammals.

He believed the UNESCO Global Geopark status would be a strong magnet, encouraging even more wildlife enthusiasts to consider Sabah a premier destination for wildlife watching.

Meanwhile, Zakri highlighted that this latest UNESCO recognition extends its impact beyond Sabah, encompassing Malaysia.

He remarked that the recognition would elevate the global status of both Sabah and Malaysia, positioning them at the forefront of international recognition and appreciation.

Addressing the arrival of UK tourists to Malaysia, Zakri noted that the country welcomed over 400,000 travellers from the UK before the pandemic.

“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, as of September this year, over 100,000 UK visitors have already returned to Malaysia, signifying promising statistics.

“Abundant opportunities exist to further boost the number of UK visitors to Malaysia, and I firmly believe that the UNESCO Global Geopark status granted to Sabah will serve as a compelling draw for UK tourists to explore the unique flora and fauna that Malaysia has to offer,” he said.

Sabah achieved triple-crown status after UNESCO recognised the Kinabalu National Geopark as a Global Geopark in May this year.

This achievement has made Sabah the third destination in the world to attain this coveted triple crown, following Shennongjia in China and Jeju Island in Korea.

Sabah’s other two UNESCO “crowns” are the Kinabalu Park, designated a World Heritage Site in December 2000, and the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared in June 2014.

In his speech, Joniston underscored the Sabah government’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices.

“The World Travel Market 2023 is a momentous occasion for Sabah as it provides us with the opportunity to showcase our latest UNESCO crown jewel to the world, highlighting its incredible geology, rich ecosystems, local communities, and the conservation work that earned it UNESCO recognition.

“Sabah is not merely a destination but a pledge to preserve the planet’s natural wonders for future generations. The state government aims to empower rural communities within the Kinabalu Geopark by involving them in both conservation and the tourism industry.

“This recognition as the 195^th UNESCO Global Geopark solidifies Sabah’s place on the world stage, and we invite the global travel and tourism community to experience the splendour of this remarkable Geopark, contributing to its sustainable development and global awareness,” he added.

For more information visit www.sabahtourism.com