MANILA, 9 February 2023: AirAsia Philippines is returning to key economic hubs in China, starting with weekly flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the special administrative region of Macao during February and March
Business travellers can reconnect with Guangzhou beginning 15 February with AirAsia’s three weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Essential travellers can fly to the special economic zone of Shenzhen four times weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday beginning 2 March. Guests flying to these key destinations in China can enjoy a 10% discount for bookings made by 12 February for travels until 25 March 2023.
Flights will resume to Macau on 2 March with three weekly flights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla commented: “The final piece of the puzzle that will complete the recovery process of the aviation industry is here. Now that China is opening its borders to the world, a new era of tourism, trade and commerce is set to emerge. And as always, AirAsia will ensure our guests the best value deals as we safely take them to the skies of renewed opportunities. Pre-pandemic, we flew over 750,000 guests to and from China.”
Until midnight on 12 February, AirAsia is offering a Buy 1, Take 1 promo from as low as PhP158 for domestic and PhP828 for international travel until 30 September 2023.
YOGYAKARTA, 8 February 2023: ASEAN Tourism Forum set a new record last week as attendance slumped to an all-time low since the region’s top event was established in 1981.
Hosted in Indonesia’s heritage capital of Yogyakarta, the ASEAN Tourism Forum closed on 5 February having attracted just 57 international buyers, 64 sellers and 74 domestic and international media, delivering a total audience of no more than 192 travel delegates excluding the 200 plus government officials who meet for their annual meetings held on the sidelines of the ATF.
The unprecedented slump in international travel buyers and sellers was first observed by Travel Impact Newswire executive editor and tourism historian Imtiaz Muqbil hours before the Official ASEAN Facebook account confirmed the tally yesterday evening.
The 26th ASEAN Tourism Forum chairman’s statement later confirmed the trade show’s top participants were the media delegates invited by the host destination Indonesia.
The show theme, “Journey to Wonderful Destinations”, fell far short of expectations for international buyers seeking new travel experiences for their 2023 tours. The paltry turnout of 64 sellers came from 10 member countries that comprise ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). Attendance was far off the pace of any previous ATF going back to 1981 when the inaugural show in Genting Highlands Malaysia was officially opened by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir.
In 2020 the ATF in Brunei delivered 265 sellers, 160 buyers and 109 media. But at the height of its popularity, the ATF 2018 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, delivered a tally of 240 buyers, 650 sellers and over 890 booths.
Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, had earlier forecasted the ATF 2023 would draw around 250 buyers and 350 sellers.
Next year the ATF will be hosted by Lao PDR from 15 to 19 January, and expectations are a carbon copy of Indonesia’s forecast – 350 sellers and 250 buyers. But the last time Laos hosted the ATF in 2013, it managed to attract 459 international buyers and 989 sellers with 495 booths booked.
Asian Trails chairman Luzi Matzig responded to questions from TTRW, saying the ATF was no longer a priority due to financial challenges.
“Asian Trails did not attend ATF as after Covid; we had to tighten our belts and plan to attend only the most important trade shows, such as ITB Berlin and World Travel Market.”
Muqbil told TTRW he was undertaking an in-depth report on the ATF to identify the show’s direction and the possible long-term outcomes, post Covid pandemic.
Singapore’s HPL Hotels & Resorts vice president of sales & marketing Michael Chua who attended the ATF 2023, conceded it was a “smaller ATF, but we got good appointments. There are still many who are worried about travelling due to Covid.”
Long haul buyers were much fewer than in past years, but he noted those who did attend were qualified. “We saw more buyers from the regional markets ( Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia) … these are HPL’s key markets, and Indonesia is a big market for us…it was good to meet all our Indonesian partners… Nothing can ever replace a personal face-to-face meeting.”
He gave ATF a thumbs up, saying he believed ASEAN governments would continue to host the forum and TRAVEX. “ASEAN destinations are diverse and have much to offer. ATF is the platform for everyone to meet at the start of the year.”
ATF’s TRAVEX trade show component was held in the Jogja Expo Centre, while Yogyakarta Regional Government hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum’s grand opening ‘royal dinner’ at the Yogyakarta Palace.
Yogyakarta was selected as the location for the ATF 2023 because it is one of the “super-priority destinations” and received more special requests from the ASEAN members.
For the full chairman’s statement 26th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers, 4 Feb 2023 check the following link
SINGAPORE, 8 February 2023: Passengers can enjoy sweet treats onboard Emirates flights on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, including love-themed desserts in the lounges, exquisite rosé champagne, tempting gift-giving offers, and an array of romantic movies and music.
This February, love is in the air on ice as Emirates passengers can immerse themselves in feel-good movies, such as the 2022 romantic comedy ‘Ticket to Paradise’, starring Hollywood heartthrobs Julia Roberts and George Clooney. There is a selection of more than 70 romantic comedies and dramas available, including new releases ‘Meet Cute’ starring Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson and ‘Ask Me to Dance’, as well as all-time classics ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Bridget Jones Diary’ and ‘The Notebook’. Amidst a huge library of TV series, passengers can choose from binge-able box sets, including modern mini-series like ‘The Pursuit of Love’ (2021) or period romance dramas like ‘Emma’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
Seductive soundtracks are already curated onboard ice with the ‘Love Is in The Air’ playlist and ‘Romantic Moments;’ a handpicked selection of classic love songs featuring Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Ed Sheeran, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack and many more. Before a flight, passengers can even browse and pre-select their movies, TV shows or music playlists on the Emirates app, which can be synced to ice from the moment of boarding.
On Valentine’s Day, onboard passengers in all classes will be treated to luscious brownies or red velvet cupcakes adorned with red and pink hearts, in their own Emirates mini gift box while red mood lighting lights up the aircraft. From 13-15 February, Emirates Lounges worldwide will raise the romance with a beautiful array of themed treats, from chocolate hearts to Valentine’s mud cake and chocolate-covered strawberries.
In the Emirates Lounges of Dubai, First Class passengers can order velvety pistachio and strawberry cake or succulent raspberry tonka fondant, while Business Class customers can spoil themselves with a strawberry and yuzu Valentine’s tartlet or a fragrant hibiscus, strawberry, and almond mousse. Both First and Business Class passengers can toast the most romantic day of the year with Moët Rosé Impérial Champagne, a radiant and romantic expression of the signature Moët & Chandon style, or visit Emirates dedicated old-fashioned ice cream cart to enjoy homemade strawberry cheesecake ice cream and raspberry and rose sorbet. The complimentary Costa Coffee café in the lounges will serve heart-shaped doughnuts, while Dilmah tea has created an array of special tea blends for the occasion.
Emirates passengers can gift their loved ones with special shopping offers on EmiratesRED and buy any two fragrances to get USD 15 off on brands including Amouage, Givenchy, YSL, Roja perfumes, Versace, Cartier, and Hermes. Passengers can also save up to 15% when buying two products from the same brand, including Cerruti watches, Benefit cosmetics, Elizabeth Arden beauty, Clogau jewellery, and more. EmiratesRED.com pre-order service is also available on most flights, where passengers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, browse a wide range of exclusive products – some of which are not available onboard. Passengers need to provide their flight details during checkout, and the orders are delivered by cabin crew directly to the passenger’s seat for an unforgettable gifting experience.
Emirates Skywards members can earn even more Miles this Valentine’s Day by shopping at popular retail brands across the UAE, UK, and USA. With thousands of brands on skywardsmilesmall.com, including Farfetch, Harvey Nichols, Sephora and more than 150 designer fashion brands in Bicester Village, such as Ted Baker, Mulberry, Pandora and more. Members can also book a romantic getaway with EmiratesSkywardsHotels. Click here for more information.
The event, supported by Sarawak Tourism Board, is composed of four components: destination experiences, a conference, a B2B adventure travel trade show with 1-1 meetings, and various networking opportunities. It provides an opportunity for tourism professionals to gain first-hand practical experience and knowledge in marketing and managing attractions, tourism products, and services that are relatively unknown by both trade and consumers to a global audience responsibly and sustainably.
“At PATA, we continue to focus on bringing greater depth and value to our events, understanding that, more than ever, delegates are more focused on four aspects when attending events: trading, networking, learning, and socialising,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone. “As the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region is seeing positive signs of recovery, the inaugural PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 looks to highlight the best practices in destination marketing and destination management in support of a responsible and sustainable recovery for the region. We all look forward to welcoming you to Sarawak, Malaysia.”
Focusing on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel, Wellness (particularly Sensory Nature Activities), Destination Management and Digital Marketing, the three-day programme begins with a one-day destination experience through a choice of technical tours, followed by a conference and travel mart spread across two full days, as well as various networking opportunities throughout the programme.
With gastronomy tourism being one of the themes of the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023, Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the theme suits Sarawak perfectly, as its capital city Kuching was recognised as the “City of Gastronomy” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2021.
“Sarawak’s diversity in ethnicities and culture has created a wealth of authentic dishes and food that are staples of the indigenous households, passed down through generations, making Sarawak not only a destination rich with nature and culture but also a place to enjoy and relish in a variety of local foods,” said Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor.
The year 2022 has been a thriving one for Sarawak tourism as the industry has seen a substantial surge in tourism arrivals since the region opened its international borders in April 2022, with the rise of “revenge travellers” ticking off Sarawak from their wish list and the increasing demand for ecotourism-based destinations, such as national parks and nature reserves, post-pandemic.
Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia, located along the southwest tip of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. A vibrant city well known for its immersive culture, adventure, nature, food, and festival elements, it makes you feel at home away from home. Visitors can enjoy pristine rainforests, meet gentle orangutans, spot the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, check out the second largest museum in Southeast Asia, the Borneo Cultures Museum, and find the rare proboscis monkey endemic to Borneo at the oldest national park in Sarawak, Bako National Park.
Registration is now open for buyers, sellers, and conference delegates. Interested delegates can register now and enjoy a Super Early Bird Rateand receive a 15% discount off registration fees until 15 February. Afterwards, delegates can enjoy an Early Bird Rateand receive a 10% discount until 15 March.
Following the event, delegates can extend their stay and visit the Rainforest World Music Festival, which takes place from June 23-25. Event delegates will receive complimentary access to the first night of the festival on 23 June and a discount on tickets to access the full event during the weekend of June 24-25.
SINGAPORE, 8 February 2023: A record 1.36 million global travel providers are being recognised for their hospitality with a Traveller Review Award 2023, including 125 in Singapore
Hotels are the most-awarded accommodation type in Singapore (103 properties), more than twice as many as the runners-up aparthotel (41 awards) or hostels and capsule hotels (9 awards each) in third place.
On average, winning local properties in Singapore received over 400,000 reviews in total and received a score of 8.8 – a significant improvement from last year’s score of 8.6
As travel continues to return in most parts of the world, the eleventh annual Booking.com Traveller Review Awards recognise travel providers from across 220 countries and territories, including Singapore, for their commitment to consistently providing excellent service and hospitality over the year.
Based on over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, 1,364,415 accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers, and 58 airport taxi suppliers are receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.
Italy leads the way again in 2023 with a total of 170,638 accommodation awards, followed by Spain (108,217), France (103,365), Germany (76,479), Croatia (64,206), Poland (60,721), the UK (60,697), Greece (54,473), Brazil (53,658) and the US (46,839).
Awarded properties in Singapore
Some of the Singapore properties receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023 include:
Raffles Singapore (Score: 9.4)
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore (Score: 9.3)
The Barracks Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality (Score: 9.3)
Marina Bay Sands (Score 9.1)
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (Score: 9.1)
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore (Score: 9)
The Clan Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality (Score: 9)
Capella Singapore (Score: 9)
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, an IHG Hotel (Score: 9)
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Score: 9)
Alternative accommodation shines
Alternative accommodations have been a hot niche category growing on Booking.com. As the most-awarded property type globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row, with a grand total of 629,421 partners being recognised for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards. For the very first time in the history of the awards, holiday homes (177,795) have claimed the second spot from hotels (172,036), with guest houses (91,635) and bed and breakfasts (78,247) rounding out the top five.
Singapore differed from its global counterparts on its most-awarded accommodation types, with hotels (103) taking the top spot followed by aparthotels (41), hostels (9), capsule hotels (9), apartments (3), and resorts (3).
A more sustainable traveller experience
Nearly one in 10 accommodation award recipients globally (122,095) have also been recognised with a Travel Sustainable badge for their efforts to operate more sustainably. In Singapore, 167 accommodations have received a Travel Sustainable badge on Booking.com since the badge was first introduced in November 2021.
Travel Sustainable accommodations were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award 2023 than those not recognised with a Travel Sustainable badge. Of all accommodation types, hotels had the highest share of Travel Sustainable accommodations (15%), receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.
2023’s Most Welcoming Places on earth
This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth span five continents and feature hidden coastal gems, rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and even a bustling Latin American metropolis. They have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023* and providing even the most seasoned traveller with bucket list inspiration for their future trips.
BANGKOK, 8 February 2023: Thai Vietjet launches ‘Valentine’s – Let’s Fly for Love’ promotion, offering fares starting from THB1,899 (including taxes and fees) for international flights.
Bookings are open until 15 February 2023 for the travel period 13 February to 30 June 2023 (excludes public holidays).
In addition, special fares starting from THB800 for travel on the airline’s domestic network are open for bookings from 13 to 18 February 2023, with the travel period from 16 February to 30 June 2023.
The special promotional tickets apply for Thai Vietjet’s domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. They also apply to the international network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Fukuoka, and Taipei, with direct service from Chiang Mai to Osaka.
Recently, the airline announced its new international flight service Chiang Mai – Osaka, with three weekly flights every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Osaka is the second largest city after Tokyo, located in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan.
SINGAPORE, 8 February 2023: Klook, a leading travel and experiences platform in Asia, announced Tuesday two milestone partnerships with Vietnam’s biggest attraction players, Sun World and VinWonders.
Both partnerships will include digital marketing initiatives, promotional content and campaigns to increase awareness of the destination’s unique offerings and hidden gems and position Vietnam as a top destination for international travellers.
Based on Klook’s internal data, Vietnam recorded exponential growth in demand in 2022, surpassing pre-covid levels for markets such as Singapore (+50%) and India (+260%). With Vietnam expecting to welcome 8M international travellers in 2023, these strategic partnerships will play a key role in driving international travellers to Vietnam and enable Sun World and VinWonders to capitalise on this rising demand.
Sun World
The 2023 partnership aims to accelerate the recovery of inbound travel to Vietnam by encouraging free and independent (FIT) travellers in key inbound markets, namely South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and India, to discover the beauty of Vietnam and booking the best local experiences
The partnership includes digital marketing campaigns and developing promotional content on Vietnam and Sun World attractions
Klook is the first OTA to partner with Sun World on a regional integrated marketing campaign of this scale
VinWonders
The partnership runs from March 2023 to May 2023 and aims
aims to accelerate the recovery of travel to Vietnam by driving awareness for both Vietnam and VinWonders attractions among free and independent travellers (FIT) in South Korea and India
Klook is the first OTA to partner with VinWonders on such inbound marketing initiatives.
Klook general manager Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam Michelle Ho said: “Despite the current macroeconomic conditions, travel is still top of mind for consumers, and Vietnam continues to be a fan favourite. We are confident that we will see strong growth in the market for 2023 as travel comes back stronger than ever before.”
YANGON, 8 February 2023: Myanmar Airways International increases frequencies on key routes in Asia during February and extends the validity of Chinese New Year fares to March.
The airline schedules 11 flights weekly on the Yangon to Kuala Lumpur route starting 20 February, with two new flights on Monday and Saturday using an A320 aircraft. The fare starts at USD130.25 one-way.
The airline also announced on its Facebook page that it would add a Sunday flight from Yangon to Guangzhou in China starting 19 February in addition to flights every Tuesday and Thursday. The one-way fare costs USD545.
MAI will increase flights on the Yangon to Hanoi route by adding a Wednesday departure from Yangon starting 15 February. Before, the airline served Hanoi with flights on Monday and Friday. The one-way fare is around USD95.
During February, the airline is scheduling three weekly services from Yangon to Seoul in South Korea and Dubai in the UAE. Flights depart Yangon every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The airline quotes the Seoul fare at USD365.25 and Dubai at USD465.
Meanwhile, the airline extends the sales window for its Chinese New Year fares until 28 February, and the travel period extends to 25 March.
On the domestic route network, MAI’s Embraer E190 is flying the route from Yangon to Thandwe, the nearest airport to the beach resorts at Ngapali. The service started on 7 February, with departures from Yangon airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
BANGKOK, 7 February 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces a partnership with Thai Airways to offer passengers exclusive benefits ahead of the grand opening of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, Centara’s first-ever property in Japan in July 2023.
This partnership marks the latest addition to Centara’s expanding airline partnership network, which includes Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Vietjet, Go First, Myanmar Airways International, and Vistara Airways.
“As we prepare for the highly anticipated launch of our debut property in Japan, we are thrilled to partner with Thai Airways to offer their network an array of exclusive benefits and to welcome travellers for the first time to this exciting new hotel, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka. Elegant, modern and conveniently located in the heart of downtown, our latest hotel is ideal for business travellers, families, couples, and solo explorers looking to discover breathtaking Osaka and enjoy Centara’s signature service and warm hospitality”, said Centara Hotels & Resorts vice president brand, marketing and digital Tom Thrussell.
The new marketing partnership offers Thai Airways passengers an exclusive introductory rate of 25% off the lowest publicly available online rates at the brand-new Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with bookings made from now – 30 June 2023 for stays between 1 July – 20 December 2023
Located in the vibrant shopping and entertainment district of Namba, Centara Osaka is a remarkable landmark soaring 33 floors above downtown. Guests will discover an eclectic selection of world-class bars and restaurants, including a rooftop dining destination with spectacular views, an assortment of accommodation choices designed for sophisticated comfort, Japan’s first-ever SPA Cenvaree, and modern event and meeting spaces, including MICE facilities, a rooftop Sky Event space and Grand Ballroom, for any occasion.
“With the reopening of Japan to international tourism, Thai Airways is excited to partner with Centara to welcome our passengers back to Osaka and to experience the brand-new Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with exclusive privileges and introductory rates. Japan is a phenomenal destination, and we look forward to sharing its beauty with our customers once again with this new Centara partnership”, said Thai Airways International director of salesWit Kitchathorn.
All passengers travelling with THAI to Osaka can enjoy this exclusive offer by simply filling out THAI’s ticket numbers in the booking link that the airline displays on all online sales channels.
Currently, THAI operates 54 weekly flights to six destinations in Japan which are Tokyo (Narita/Haneda), Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.
For more information, reservation and ticketing, please visit thaiairways.com or call 0-2356-1111 for the THAI Contact Center (24 hours a day)
Under the Centara x Thai Airways promotion, guests will not only receive a special introductory offer of 25% off the best available room rate when logged in as a CentaraThe1 member. This is lower than any publicly available rate and exclusive to Thai Airways passengers. Other privileges also include complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out, all subject to availability, as well as a 25% discount on food at Embassy of Crab or Suan Bua restaurants. In addition, guests who order two or more set menus at either of these restaurants will receive one complimentary bottle of wine.
Travellers not yet members of Centara’s loyalty programme can sign up for free in less than a minute and immediately start enjoying benefits and earning points. To take advantage of all CentaraThe1 membership privileges, sign-up or sign in now at www.CentaraThe1.com
To book or learn more about Centara and the THAI offer,
KOTA KINABALU, 7 February 2023: Three rural tourism operators have been awarded the prestigious 2023-2025 ASEAN Tourism Standard Award in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, further elevating the reputation of Sabah’s rural tourism products on the international stage.
The recipients are Padas Farmstay (ASEAN Community Based Tourism); Mari-Mari Cultural Village (ASEAN Community Based Tourism); and Homestay TaunGusi (ASEAN Homestay Standard).
Tham Kim Leng (Adventure tour manager of TYK Adventure Tours), Julinus Jeffery Jimit (Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism Board), Jeremiah Jamson (Base Manager of Mari Mari Cultural Village), Ismail Muile (Coordinator of Taun Gusi Homestay), YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing (Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board), Tham Yau Kong (Director of TYK Adventure Tours), Tham Yau Siong, Director of Tenom Padas Farmstay), Duis Walter Kandayon (STB Board of Director and Chairman of Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah).
Padas Farmstay managing director ThamYau Kong, Mari-Mari Cultural Village base manager Jeremiah Jamson, and Homestay TaunGusicoordinator Ismail Muile @ Muele received the awards on 5 February, during the ASEAN Tourism Forum.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk JonistonBangkuai joined the award ceremony.
He was in Yogyakarta leading the Sabah Tourism Board delegation at the ASEAN Tourism Forum event held from 3 to 5 February.
“I’m delighted to be here to see Sabah’s incredible success story in rural tourism unfold. I congratulate our award recipients on their perseverance in maintaining the highest levels of product and service quality despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“The accreditation of three Sabah rural tourism products with the ASEAN Tourism Standard Award is a major boost to the international profile of Sabah’s rural tourism offerings.
“This success bodes well for Sabah Tourism’s mission to help rural areas and their communities thrive off of tourism. Hopefully, this inspires others to raise the bar and work together to make our rural area a world-class place to visit by 2030,” he remarked.
Additionally, the Sabah International Convention Centre won the ASEAN MICE Venue Award (Category Exhibition Venue), with the awarding ceremony set for next year.
Padas Farmstay in Tenom was officially established in 2017, but it has been open to the public since 2013 when an international student group expressed interest in educational and community programmes.
They have received between 10 and 20 school groups per year since then and have completed 60 community projects that have benefited 20 nearby villages.
Mari-Mari Cultural Village started operation in 2008, offering a glimpse into the lives of Sabah’s rich culture with its distinctive houses, costumes and traditional skills of Sabah’s five major ethnic groups.
Homestay TaunGusi in Kota Belud is a community-based homestay registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Art, and Culture in 2011. It has 18 certified homestay members, offering unique experiences to guests, including cultural performances, horse riding, traditional cooking lessons, river cruises, Bajau parang-making demonstrations, and village tours.
In 2014, the Sabah Tourism Board started the rural tourism initiative with two districts as pilot projects to test the viability of a tourism industry serving the state’s rural areas.
The initiative has since been expanded to 25 districts, with at least 30 registered and active associations benefiting from the rural tourism development programme.
“I hope the synergy between the government sector, private sector and the community in developing rural tourism will continue to grow as we face new challenges in the post-pandemic era. We hope to see more of our rural tourism products receiving international recognition,” added Joniston.
The ASEAN Tourism Standard Award is a prestigious recognition that helps support the goals of the ASEAN Tourism Standard and is in accordance with the ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 in providing high-quality and excellent service delivery to tourists.
This is designed with the objective of making ASEAN an excellent destination on a global scale.
In previous years, WalaiPenyu Conservation Park and Kadamaian Tourism Association obtained the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Standard Award in 2022 and ASEAN Community Based Tourism Award in 2019, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism Board makes its presence at the 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum, the major annual tourism event in the region, to expand prospects for ASEAN tourism marketing and potential connections between stakeholders with travel businesses in the region.
The event is attended by top industry policymakers, practitioners and suppliers of ASEAN-based tourism products and services.
