Sabah a magnet for tourists.

27th March, 2013

Sabah a magnet for tourists.

SABAH, also known as the “Land Below The Wind”, is among one of the country's fastest growing economies driven mainly by its eco-tourism products, palm oil industry and other natural resources.

Home to the nation's highest peak Mount Kinabalu and world-class diving site Sipadan, Sabah draws hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world annually.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Islands off the Kota Kinabalu capital city is also a popular draw for local and foreign tourists seeking adventure sport holiday packages.

The Danum Valley rainforest conservation area also draws researchers from all over the globe as well as prominent visitors like Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton last year.

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Tourism Malaysia eyes promotion of niche market segments.

Date: 12 February 2013

Tourism Malaysia eyes promotion of niche market segments.

NEW YORK: The new vice-president at Tourism Malaysia's New York office has identified "good business potential" in certain niche market segments which will be promoted during his tenure. Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali listed them as adventure, nature, diving, business travel and MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conferences and exhibitions).

"These segments are inherent with good business potential. But we also need to enhance the awareness of travellers from this part of the world about the attractions of Malaysia as a destination," Johanif, who arrived here two weeks ago, told Bernama in an interview on Tuesday.

Johanif noted that in a fiercely competitive place like New York, prices for long-haul flights were of crucial importance. "However, being a long-haul destination for American travellers, Malaysia's attractiveness can be further enhanced by offering it in combination with another destination in Southeast Asia such as Thailand or Singapore," he said.

Malaysia received a total of 240,134 visitors from the United States (US) in 2012, which was in fact, higher than the actual target of 230,000 visitors set for the US offices. The 2012 figures showed a 10.8 percent increase over 2011.

Another interesting segment inherent with good tourism potential is Malaysia's rainforests with their unique and exotic flora and fauna, which foreign visitors as well as students of ecology, botany and nature would find fascinating. Having been Tourism Malaysia's director in Sarawak before arriving in New York, Johanif has acquired good insights into the intricacies of nature and adventure tourism.

Johanif also discerned the cruise tourism segment as holding good promise for business, with this in mind, the New York office will attend the Miami Cruise Show scheduled for March in Miami. Tourism Malaysia is also eyeing for cruise ships to stop in Penang, Kota Kinabalu or Kuching en route to other destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan. - Bernama

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Longhaul markets develop fancy for Sabah and Sarawak.

Date: 30 January 2013

Longhaul markets develop fancy for Sabah and Sarawak.

LONGHAUL travel consultants at the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Vientiane have seen growing interest in Sabah and Sarawak, with competitive airfares and hotel rates pushing up demand.

Norway-based Asia Spesialisten’s director of sales and marketing, Oddvar Sivertsen, said: “Low-cost carriers have opened air access to the more remote parts of Sabah and Sarawak, and this too is causing demand for tailor-made, off-the-beaten-track tours.”

Cheaper airfares and hotel rates had driven demand for FIT travel, especially among the 30-50 year-old group, he observed. Tours to these states typically combine a beach experience, a soft adventure component and cultural tours that incorporate educational elements and novel experiences.

Air France’s new thrice-weekly direct flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport beginning April 22 has also interested at least one DMC from France. Abako general manager, Jose Henrique Goncalves, said: “We’re in the middle of preparing a concept paper on Borneo as an incentive destination and once ready, we will promote it to our clients in the automobile, construction, health and finance sectors.

“With direct flights, we don’t have to stop in Singapore for a night, which is expensive. Malaysia’s hotel rates are competitive and one can negotiate with them. The French have a good image of Malaysia as a destination that is modern yet retains an old-world charm.”

Germany-based Kornelius Reisen’s owner, Johannes Harle, said Sabah and Sarawak also appealed to niche travellers keen on nature, culture and adventure.

By S Puvaneswary, Vientiane

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