Sarawak must woo more Chinese tourists

ON a recent trip to Kota Kinabalu, this writer could not help noticing what a vibrant tourism boom the Sabah capital continues to enjoy.

From casual asking around, it appears the city and the state generally did not miss a beat as far as tourism goes despite the armed clashes several months earlier in Lahad Datu between the our security forces and gunmen from Sulu in the Philippines.

Hotels of all categories in Kota Kinabalu appear busier, putting out the "full" rather than "vacancy" signs. And there are hotels galore, from the swankiest 5-star international brands to the humblest lodges.

The elegant boutique establishment, the Jesselton Hotel, first allowed this writer a late check-out time but then almost immediately called to profusely apologise that workmen were in fact at the ready and waiting for my room to be cleared as it was slated for a makeover being undertaken almost room by room.

With several flights a day connecting Kota Kinabalu to cities in southern China, the city is noticeably catching a slice of the ever expanding Chinese middle class just starting to catch the travel bug. According to my taxi driver, the Chinese horde descends to savour the city's sun and sea rather than to ascend Mount Kinabalu.

Whatever, the city's array of fine Italian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and local seafood establishments are all doing a roaring trade, with lunch and dinner crowds more commonly found in metropolitan cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei or Manila.

Geography has kindly blessed Kota Kinabalu with rugged mountains, fine beaches, offshore islands and a proximity to all the aforementioned cities, such that it has become a natural air hub for our national airlines beyond Kuala Lumpur.

And all the planes disgorging passengers each day mean no shortage of check-ins into the city's hotels.

All this is such a contrast to Kuching, on the other end of Borneo. Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg was just recently in Singapore, talking up interest by the republic's Silkair to expand the airline's existing services into the Sarawak capital.

The minister was previously talking to Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to expand the rather limited network of direct flights from Kuching to regional cities.

The one obvious airline that Abang Johari has not apparently been seen talking to is AirAsia, even when the airline's chief executive was recently in Kuching.

The official Sarawak cold shoulder to the region's best-known low-cost airline is mystifying and inexplicable given that one would expect a state with Sarawak's limited direct air links to not be picky about which airline the state wants to do business with.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak must woo more Chinese tourists

.
.

Eco Village Challenge trail run in Kota Kinabalu

For hardcore trail runners, nature lovers and charity seekers – this event maybe suitable for you. Habitat For Humanity Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu Sabah affiliate will be organizing its first Eco Village Challenge on the 1st September 2013, to raise funds for families in Sabah in need of decent homes.

The day-long Charity Run is 15-km route inside a beautiful and pristine nature reserved called Kasalagan Park in Kampung Natai which includes tour around Kampung Borombon and Kampung Bongkud.

Teams of four, will have an extensive back-to-nature adventure experience as they visit three kampungs (villages) where they will take part in three native sports, traverse seven rivers and streams, a waterfall and trek through jungle trails, valleys and ridges.

The journey is a salute to the traditional community practice of villagers traveling long distances to visit another village to celebrate together the important occasions such as religious festivals and weddings.

Non-existence of roads in these three villages is a great privilege for the Eco Village Challenge to link them using these villagers’ existing trails.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Eco Village Challenge trail run in Kota Kinabalu

.
.

Biggest fishing competition in Sandakan

SANDAKAN: Deputy Chief Minister cum State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah was briefed on the preparations for one of the biggest fishing competitions to be staged in Sandakan.

Sandakan Yacht Club Commodore Edward Cheng Wun Wah and Vice Commodore Daniel Liaw paid a courtesy call on the Minister yesterday to update the Minister on their preparations for the 11th Sandakan Yacht Club/ Sandakan Festival Open Competition 2013 on Aug 17 and 18.

Also present was former Karamunting Assemblyman Datuk Peter Pang En Yin.

Sandakan Yacht Club is organising the event in conjunction with the annual Sandakan Festival. The organising committee is anticipating a larger number of participants for this year’s competition which is listed for the first time in the Sabah Tourism Board Calendar of Events.

Registration fee per participant is RM 120 for SYC member and RM 150 for non-SYC member.

Continue reading at: Biggest fishing competition in Sandakan

.

.

The Tagal system that brought new life to the Moroli River in Ranau

It all started when Jeffrin Majangki, from Kampung Luanti Baru in Ranau decided to preserve and clean up the river in his village that was much neglected and laden with rubbish. He believed that cleaning the river and treating it with respect was important for the village.

At first his idea met with a mixed response from his fellow villagers, some of whom thought that it was just a waste of time and energy. However, Jeffrin persevered and eventually managed to gather a following who shared his thoughts about the river.

In 2002, Moroli River was changed. From what looked like a rubbish dump it became a beautiful river with crystal clear water and a multitude of fishes swimming freely in it.

Then came his effort to persuade his fellow villagers to refrain from overfishing in the river, to increase the fish stock, and allow the fishes to grow larger before harvesting them.

That was the start of the Tagal system in Ranau.

“I wanted to share and send a message that people need to be aware of the importance of preserving the rivers in their villages and at the same time practise the Tagal system,” he said during an exclusive meeting with Insight Sabah reporters at the Moroli River in Ranau.

"Ranau district has the highest number of Tagal Rivers and I am very pleased with the result, as this shows that people do care about the environment especially their rivers,” he said.

Tagal or also known as 'bombon' which means ‘do not’ in Kadazandusun language is a traditional approach to take care of the river naturally. The Tagal system was developed to conserve the fishery resources in the river.

The Fishery Department helps a lot to provide various kinds of assistance to villagers to enable them to establish and maintain their rivers under the tagal system of management, such as covering the starting cost of opening a new Tagal River, erecting the tagal signboards and providing the right type of fishing equipment to enable the villagers to harvest the fishes in the Tagal river without jeopardizing the fish stock.

According to the Sabah Fisheries Department the Tagal system has increased from a mere ten in 2000 to 193 rivers involving 447 villages in 2012.

He said that the Tagal system has helped some villagers to improve their livelihood through tourism, which contributes to the progress of Kampung Luanti Baru. Jeffrin disclosed to Insight Sabah that in a month the revenue that can be attributed to the Tagal system can reach RM10, 000.

He said the Tagal system in Ranau is using the zoning approach. The zoning is divided into three: Red, Yellow and Green, mainly to ensure sustainability of the river. Red Zone is a no-take zone that prohibits fishing, and it is for conservation and agro-tourism purposes.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: The Tagal system that brought new life to the Moroli River in Ranau

.
.

The fish spa of Borneo

We’d heard about the Borneo fish spa.  Apparently the fish like to nibble dead skin and whilst it tickles somewhat, it does actually do you some good.

Duly intrigued, we paid our money, put on our swimming costumes and headed for the river where this ritual takes place.

You can choose between a foot massage - where the fish nibble your toes and ankles - and a full body massage, where you actually lie down in the water.

I thought I should lead by example (no-one else was volunteering) so I gingerly dipped my foot in the water.

The fish - and we are talking 12-18” fish here, not your average tiddler - gathered in a frenzied assault on my submerged foot, rather like piranhas did in the old Tarzan movies.

Tickle?  not exactly.  Scratch? Yes, that’s closer.  Still, having made my choice, and paid for, the full body version, there was no going back now. 

We had bought a couple of tiny packets of special fish food pellets, and were instructed to keep these tightly in our fists.

As I slowly lay down in the river, it was as if the fish instantly sensed the food and immediately called for reinforcements.

Shoals of fish started advancing from the outer reaches of the river.

You could see the rivulets in the water as they approached from all directions.

I was torn (a not entirely inappropriate metaphor) between trying to show Jules and the boys that it was fine, and admitting that it was very scratchy  - OK painful.

I wondered if my skin may have been more sensitive because I’d just been recovering from an allergic reaction to sea lice - (a sort of invisible jellyfish that brought out a mild chicken pox like reaction all over my body).

Still I figured I could put up with it for 15 minutes. 

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: The fish spa of Borneo

.
.