KOTA KINABALU: Sabah generated RM3.5mil in sales oof various tourism packages offered at the just concluded MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur.

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the Sabah Culture, Adventure, Nature (CAN) themed packages were highly sought after by visitors.

“Over 200 CAN packages were sold, with island hopping and the Mari Mari Cultural Village being the most popular choices.

“We hope this positive outcome translates into more tourist arrivals, further boosting the state's economy," he said in a statement released here Tuesday (Sepy 17).

Bangkuai, who is also the state Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, noted an increasing interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations and community-based tourism experiences.

To further promote these offerings,Bangkuai said that Sabah will hold its first Community-Based Tourism Fair at IOI Mall, Putrajaya, from Oct 16 to 20 this year.

"This fair will allow visitors to explore unique community-based tourism packages further and discover hidden gems in Sabah’s rural areas," he said.

STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit noted that Sabah also generated over RM6,000 in product sales at the Sabah Tourism Board Pavilion within three days.

The sales included Kadaiku (RM2,088.10), Sabah Tea (RM943), and Yit Foh Coffee (RM3,564.20).

Sabah Tea and Yit Foh Coffee are iconic Sabah agro products from Ranau and Tenom, while Kadaiku showcases a diverse range of unique handicrafts.

Julinus said promoting these products is essential, as they complement tourism efforts and align with Sabah's reputation for agro-tourism.

“Our goal is to enhance awareness of Sabah's unique offerings, which not only supports local businesses but also enriches the overall visitor experience,” he said.

He also added that the launch of the Top 5 Mountains in Sabah campaign at the MATTA Fair would help position Sabah as the adventure hub of South-East Asia and beyond.

The campaign features Malaysia’s highest peaks located in Sabah: Mount Kinabalu, Mount Trus Madi, Mount Sinsing, Mount Tambuyukon, and Mount Kaingaran.

The recent MATTA Fair saw Sabah and Sarawak teaming up to promote Discover Borneo as Malaysia’s favourite destinations at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/17/sabah-tourism-players-record-rm35mil-in-sales-at-kl-matta-fair