Shafie (fourth from left) launching the Visit Malaysia 2020 logo on the MASwings aircraft together with Mohammadin (third left). Also seen is Poon (fifth left).
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal officially launched the ‘Best of Sabah Holiday Packages 2019/2020’ Campaign, here yesterday.
The auspicious event saw Shafie launching the Best of Sabah Holiday Packages 2019/2020 special edition booklet – an initiative that was introduced by Tourism Malaysia, in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
It aims to promote the state’s beautiful and exciting attractions to both local and international tourists.
Speaking to reporters after the event, which was held at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Shafie said that the initiative would help boost the tourism sector of the country and Sabah as a state.
“We all know that the tourism sector is a very dynamic source for our country…we know that Sabah has a lot of tourism products. The initiative that was taken by the Federal Tourism Ministry as well as MASwings is something that should be welcomed.
“Our role in the state level is to continue giving our support to the Federal Government and other bodies – to ensure that the Visit Malaysia 2020 agenda could be fulfilled,” said Shafie.
Featuring 135 holiday packages offered by 76 travel agencies, tourism product operators, homestay operators and local airlines in Sabah, the booklet provides new holiday ideas in Sabah and explores the state’s lesser known tourist attractions.
The initiative is the result of the partnership between Sabah Tourism Board, MATTA Sabah Chapter, Sabah Tourism Association, Sabah Homestay Association and the local airlines in Sabah.
With the nation gearing up to welcome 30 million international tourists and RM100 billion in tourist receipts, the booklet is timely in promoting the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign.
The campaign received a further boost of support from MASwings Airlines as it has agreed to partner with Tourism Malaysia to promote the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign – where the airline will be displaying the said campaign logo on its aircraft.
Among those in attendance were Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi; State Tourism, Culture and Environment cum Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew; and State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon.
Mohammadin expressed his gratitude towards the State Government for its support towards the said initiative.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, through the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, I would like to say that we welcome its (the State Government’s) efforts.
“We will come up with more tourism packages, not just in Sabah, but in the whole country. With such packages, I am confident that the country would be able to achieve its target of getting 30 million international tourists as well as domestic tourists,” said Mohammadin.
The booklet is available for download at the Tourism Malaysia official website.