By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism Malaysia (TM) Sabah has embarked on a familiarisation trip promoting northern Sabah ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.
Themed “Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure and Nature,” the initiative held from July 4 to 8 also supported the ongoing Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign to explore hidden gems, natural treasures, and the unique cultural heritage of the destinations.
TM Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said the programme also incorporated rural tourism development initiatives focusing on community involvement and nature conservation, driven by local industry players.
This aligns with Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to broaden the promotion of Sabah’s tourism offerings, especially in lesser-known areas, she added.
“This programme is also a strategic approach to reach digital audiences, where media players play a crucial role in showcasing tourism products through travel storytelling approaches, which can have a significant impact in today’s digital tourism promotion ecosystem,” she said.
Tourism Malaysia appreciated the support and cooperation of all parties involved in introducing Sabah’s unique rural tourism destinations, and will continue to strengthen these strategic collaborations to ensure the success of the VMY 2026 campaign.
Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Kudat were chosen as these areas offer tourism experiences centred on nature, culture, and adventure, which are still largely unexplored by mainstream tourists, she said.
After been given a demonstration of gong making at Kampung Sumangkap Gong Factory, the participants toured the Borneo Honeybee Centre to learn about various bees’ species and their honey, before heading to the Tip of Borneo in Kudat to watch the sunset.
They met two of Kudat’s finest artists, Jainal Amambing of G Wonder Khayalan Home Art Gallery and mural artist Chong Ket Phin after visiting the Tun Mustapha Museum.
They also took a boat ride to the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas.
The participants, comprising local media representatives, social media influencers, and tourism partners from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, and Brunei, also experienced authentic local culture at Walai Tobilung in Kota Marudu.
They also watched demonstrations of bobolian ceremonies, traditional musical instruments and cultural dance performances, and the preparation of heritage dishes passed down through generations.
The tour continued with visits to community craft centres such as Sulaman Pis in Kudat, corn husk crafts in Kota Marudu, as well as Serdang weaving and machete-making in Kota Belud, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of the local people.
One of the programme highlights was the hiking experience at Aura Montoria, Kota Belud, which offered a challenging trail and is considered one of Sabah’s best hiking spots.
In Kampung Sangkir, Kota Belud, participants enjoyed the village atmosphere through cycling activities surrounded by lush green paddy fields.
The trip concluded with the Tembara River Cruise in Tuaran, a scenic river excursion to witness the sunset and fireflies, one of the area’s special night-time attractions.
