'Media expression' to further promote Sabah tourism, products

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 15  -- The 2019 Kinabalu Media Expression programme is poised to further promote attractive tourism products and destinations throughout Sabah, said Tourism Malaysia’s Corporate Communications senior director Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof.

He said the five-day programme, attended by more than 10 media practitioners from various agencies in the country, was held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.

“This media expression is an interactive concept-based programme in which participants will be directly involved in tourism activities.

“Participants will visit Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Kudat and Kota Belud to obtain firsthand experience when they visit the existing as well as new interesting locations. The programme will also include new tourism products and briefings by tourism industry entrepreneurs,” he said at a get-together in conjunction with the programme held here last night.

The 'experiential tourism' also awaited the participants in order to see interesting locations, even getting up close and personal with local customs and cultures, especially in Sabah which is known for community-based tourism (CBT).

“This programme is one of Tourism Malaysia’s strategies to penetrate the digital world where media players can play the key role in introducing tourism products through storytelling based on travel that can make a big impact in today’s digital age.

“Participants will have the opportunity to experience various activities such as staying in a luxury tent or ‘glamping’ at the Cabana Retreat or getting on board of a river cruise to enjoy views of the coast of the Pantai Rampayan which is home to proboscis monkeys and fireflies as well as to experience the beauty of the sunset,” he said.

Iskandar Mirza also said that other interesting contents of the programme include the exposure to a variety of unique people in Borneo, such as the Bajau tribe, who would welcome the participants in traditional attire.

A visit to the Kota Belud’s Dastar Handicraft Workshop to see the artworks of the Irranun people, as well to witness their special performances would also be included, he said.

“In this regard, Tourism Malaysia hopes that the social media activists will share their experiences with their readers and followers by providing information and experience gained throughout the course of the programme, to pique their interest to visit Sabah,” he added.

-- BERNAMA