ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 2 Edition

I REGION I ASIA I
Noredah Othman
General Manager
Sabah Tourism Board
The spectacular
Borneo Convention
Centre Kuching has
been carrying out
major upgrades,
introducing state of
the art audio-visual
technology to its
repertoire
Sarawak - the ultimate
"bleisure" destination
in SE Asia
Community-based
tourism drives new
interest in Sabah
The Malaysian state of Sabah is back under the spotlight, as
wild, untouched places increasingly appeal to travellers. We
asked Noredah Othman, General Manager, Sabah Tourism
Board, to give us an update on the destination.
Sabah’s Community Based
Tourism (CBT) has been growing.
This is timely, as Sabah receives
a large number of return visitors,
so it is necessary for the state to
provide new options to explore
Sabah beyond the commercial
and well-developed tourism sites.
CBT has, in essence, broughtin
something new for visitors in
addition to providing economic
growth in the state’s interior
areas. Meanwhile, for the Business
Events segment, the Sabah
International Convention Centre
opened its doors in February
2020. The facility, located within
the perimeter of the Kota Kinabalu
city centre can host up to 5,000
delegates.
The Covid crisis has made people
more aware of the environment
and sustainable tourism. Will this
be an advantage for Sabah in
Post-Covid times?
Environmental awareness and
sustainability have been pivotal
subjects even prior to Covid. For
example, the world-renowned
diving site, Sipadan, is to be
closed for one month every
December in order to allow time
for restoration. The number of
climbers allowed on Mt Kinabalu
has also been reduced. And along
the Kinabatangan river, where
the forest has been fragmented,
the Sabah State Government has
begun the process of reclaiming
the land and creating an improved
corridor for the migration of wildlife
as they move along the riverbank.
Your message to the world?
Sabahan Hospitality is undeniably
apparent to most visitors, with
residents taking increasing pride
in preserving their culture through
the initiatives of Community Based
Tourism and homestays, or by
showcasing their handicrafts. We
are eagerly waiting for our borders
to reopen so we can once again
welcome visitors to experience our
Enchanting Sabah
VISIT
BR AND CARD
While Sarawak’s key internal destinations such as state
capital Kuching, or Gunung Mulu National Park, are generally
well known among travel professionals, this year at ITB
Berlin NOW, one can discover the fascination region of Sibu.
Sibu is the best place from which
to explore Sarawak’s central
region, to experience the unique
culture, adventure, nature, food
and festivals (the five main themes
promoted state-wide by Sarawak
Tourism) in store for visitors.
especially the first timer through
the four-day “Sibu Swan City Tour”.
Sibu is a must-go place for
foodies. And those looking for a
little more excitement can take
a ride in fast passenger boats to
remote areas of the Rajang river -
the longest in Malaysia, and home
to the locals living right next to the
jungle inhabited by exotic animals.
The Rajang is a source of constant
activity, with oceangoing vessels
manoeuvring delicately between
speeding express boats, battered
river launches and tiny sampans.
It is best to book a room with a
river view, to take-in the sights and
sounds of the bustling waterfront,
and the Rajang sunset can be truly
spectacular.
SARAWAK LAUNCHES
SMARTGUIDE
As a valuable resource for travel
professionals around the world, Sarawak
Tourism Board has commissioned a
comprehensive SMARTguide: A veritable
"decision-making tool" for the travel
professional, delivering important
destination news and new ideas when it
comes to planning travel to this place.
Click on the image to read this SMARTguide,
or find it at the end of this e-magazine!
BUSINESS EVENTS
SARAWAK
One of Sarawak’s unique selling
points is the fusion of business with
the promise of culture, adventure,
nature, food and festivals. Theme
parties are a favourite among
corporate meetings & incentive
groups such as the Rainforest
Music Festival and Kuching
Waterfront Jazz Festival.
Business Events Sarawak
is a destination marketing
organisation that focuses on
bringing corporate incentives
& meetings, conventions and
exhibitions to Sarawak. A nonprofit
organisation funded by the
Sarawak Government, it acts as a
one stop shop advising on hosting
and organising national and
international business events
VISIT
BR AND CARD
ITB BERLIN NEWS • WEDNESDAY 10 TH MARCH 2021 21