Kamarlin (centre), together with Sani (third left), Johnny (fourth right), Zaki (fourth left), Ritchie (third right) and the agents of “Sabah Food Trail” packages.
SANDAKAN: A new brochure to promote Sabah as a food paradise was launched yesterday by Tourism Malaysia Sabah.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Kamarlin Ombi who officiated at the launching at the Ibis Styles Hotel here, is confident that the “Sabah Food Trail” brochure is another effort that will give additional attraction to the tourism industry in the state.
The brochure contains nine interesting food trail packages, published in collaboration with six travel agencies.
It is created to promote local food and natural attractions in Sabah. The tour packages, which range from two days one night to five days four nights, give foreign and domestic tourists a chance to explore their taste buds by trying local delicacies and mingle with the local community.
The nine trial packages are Food Lover in KK, Sabah Cooking Experience, KK Food Mania, Makan Makan Bah Kita, Food in Wonderland, Borneo Food Hunter, Sandakan Food Galore, Pusing-Pusing Cari Makan and Sandakan Seafood Channel.
Out of the nine packages, six packages are in Kota Kinabalu and three are in Sandakan.
“Sandakan is clearly the backbone of Sabah tourism industry. Sandakan Town is blessed with bountiful natural wealth, namely the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sukau-Kinabatangan, Selingan Island, heritage as well as its fabulous food.
“I appreciate the effort made by Tourism Malaysia and participating agents for their efforts, as this initiative marks another milestone in boosting tourist arrivals in Sabah, not only focusing on the capital city but also Sandakan,” said Kamarlin.
Each tour package offers different attractions. For instance, those who join the three days two nights Sabah Cooking Experience get to enjoy Hajah Halimah traditional food cooking experience, along with a guided city tour, local food experience and a visit to the market.
The four days three nights Food in Wonderland package allow tourists to experience local food and the market, along with guided tours to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kinabalu Park, Desa Cattle Farm, Poring Hot Spring and Sabah Tea Garden.
Wildlife enthusiast should opt for the three days two nights Sandakan Food Channel, which includes guided tours of the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and Heritage Tour, besides local seafood experience and the market.
The five days four nights Borneo Food Hunter package allows tourists to participate in a cooking lesson at Rumah Terbalik, in addition to guided tours to Mari-Mari Cultural Village, Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Spring, city tour, local food and the market.
The six agents who are involved in this newly introduced packages are Borneo Sandakan Tours, Green Holiday, Home Away From Home, Myne Travel, Sensational Holidays Borneo and Totally Borneo Holidays.
Also presents at the launching event yesterday were director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah Sani Shan Ahmad, president of Sandakan Tourist Association Johnny Lim, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia Sabah Office Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar and president of Sabah Backpackers Operator Association Ritchie Lee.
About 30 industry players participated in the event yesterday, where the Sandakan Tourist Association made a presentation on the tourism attraction in the district.