RM300,000 for Promotion of the Sabah Agriculture Park at Lagud Sebrang

Tenom: The Federal Tourism Ministry has approved a total RM300,000 for the promotion of the Sabah Agriculture Park at Lagud Sebrang here.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen approved RM100,000 for the Sabah Agriculture Park Orchid Festival beginning next year, aimed at promoting the park to both domestic and international visitors.

She also approved RM200,000 as applied for by the park management to provide information signage for all the new hybrid species in the park.

For the festival, she said the impact on boosting the number of visitors to the park would be assessed first to see if it could be continued.

Speaking during her maiden visit to the park here Wednesday, Ng said the park that was built in 1981 has about 350 orchid species in its collection and ranked as among the best in the region.

In fact, she said Malaysia ranked 12th biggest in the world in terms of its flora and fauna.

“We are a bit disappointed that the Sabah Agriculture Park is not recording the number of visitors so that we can monitor its performance.

This park is so mesmerising, furthermore there are so many flowers and herbs such as the clerodendrum,” she said.

On the information signage, Ng urged the park management to make it with quality with tourism features as an added attraction for the visitors.

Meanwhile, she said last year the tourism sector contributed RM58.4 billion to the country with 24.7 million arrivals and from among them three million came to Sabah producing a tourism receipt of RM5 billion.

“We hope the Sabah Agriculture Park will be able to cooperate with tourism agents to include the park as among the destinations in their tourism calendar.

“All the activities must be included in a package,” she said.

Hoteliers and homestay operators must also offer reasonable rates but most importantly the surroundings must be kept clean and equipped with facilities such public transportation, she said.

“Tourists prefer to stay in budget hotels rather than the luxury type,” she said.

Accompanying Ng were Sabah Tourism Promotion Board Chairman, Datuk Tengku Adlin, his deputy, Datuk Sari Suhut and State Agriculture Director, Datuk M C Ismail.

She was greeted by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Radin Malleh and District Officer, Siriman M F Basir as well as other senior government officers and local community leaders.

Source: http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/2012/06/18/rm300000-for-promotion-of-sabah-agri-park/

Photo source: http://auntydoris.blogspot.com/2009/06/sabah-agricultural-park-most-beautiful.html

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2012 to mark protection of sharks in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: This year will mark the protection of sharks in Sabah even though the shark ban is not in place yet, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

“When the law is passed, we will then discuss with the restaurant owners about the grace period they need to clear their stocks,” he said.

“We need to do it now. We need to conserve the sharks for our next generation to enjoy. We cannot take all and leave nothing to our next generation in the name of profit. In the next decade, if we do not conserve the sharks now, there will be nothing left for the fishermen to catch and restaurant owners to serve. By then, it will be too late,” Masidi pointed out to the JCI Tanjung Aru.

JCI Tanjung Aru member Evonne Chong (immediate past president), organising chairman JCI member Aderick Chong and members met Masidi during a courtesy call recently.

Also present were the permanent secretary of Masidi’s ministry, Datuk Michael Emban, Datuk Irene Charuruks of Sabah Tourism Board and Sitti Damsal of Sri Pelancongan Sabah as well as Peter Dikili, Arthur Lee and Christopher who support the protection of sharks. JCI Tanjung Aru took this opportunity to thank Masidi for his determination and persistence in making the law to protect sharks happen in Sabah.

After initiating the ‘Say No To Shark Fins’ awareness programme in 2011, together with 54 chapters of JCI Malaysia and many conservation groups around the world, JCI Tanjung Aru strongly supports and commends the minister for his effort to see the ban through.

JCI Tanjung Aru briefed Masidi on the launch of 2012: Sabah Protects Sharks which will be held on May 6 in Suria Sabah. This event will mark that Sabah protects its sharks in 2012.

In conjunction with this event, there will be an ‘Imperial Gourmet Soup Challenge’, where the alternatives to shark fins soup will be judged and the most outstanding soup on that day will be recognised by the ministry.

Masidi and his ministry were also briefed on the Concert for the Sharks towards the end of 2012 to raise funds to enable efforts to reach out to schools throughout Malaysia, starting with Sabah, to educate the importance of shark conservation to the school children.

All contributions to this cause will only be used for the effort. It is a non-profitable event. Sponsors and advertisers are encouraged to step forward to contribute to this good cause. Contact JCI member Aderick Chong @ 0168306828

Both events are endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Culture.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/12/2012-to-mark-protection-of-sharks-in-sabah/#ixzz1sMPtQAYT

Green Sabah says: Completely agreed with Datuk Masidi Manjun that we need to protect the Sharks for the future generation, hopefully the laws will be approved soon so that this will become a nationwide movement.

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Go Green : CM to Tourism Operators

Tourism players in Sabah should go green by coming up with eco-friendly products and services to keep up with the growing trend among travellers opting for tour operators, resorts and hotels that are able to keep their carbon footprint low, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He said that the green efforts could help to resolve adverse environmental issues frequently attributable to tourist inflows.

"I realise it will not be easy to do this overnight and I hope that you will at least start by taking small steps that will eventually accumulate to make a big difference," he said in his speech at the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2010 closing ceremony here today.

His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Musa said by keeping up with trends especially on sustainability, tourism assets could be protected and able to meet visitor's expectation.

"The tourism industry is dynamic and highly sensitive to changing visitor perceptions and needs. Visitors have become more knowledgeable with many carrying out their own research through the Internet to determine their choice of destinations," he said.

Musa said tourism in Sabah had steadily grown into an industry that was making significant contribution to the state and national economies through smart partnerships between federal government, private sector and many other stakeholders including local communities.

"This is reflected by the diversification of tourism products and growth of visitor arrivals. In 2009 we recorded 2.24 million arrivals generating RM3.87 billion in tourism receipts.

"As of August this year, we recorded 1.59 million arrivals, an increase of 7.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Our target is to attract 2.36 million visitors this year and by 2020, we hope there will be 4.5 million people visiting us," he said. - Bernama

Source: http://www.dailymail.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3742:go-green-sabah-cm-tells-tourism-operators&catid=2:nation&Itemid=3

Green Sabah says: Tourism is very important in Sabah as it is one of the main source for this state's income. By promoting green efforts, it will help to boost the tourism industry too. Be part of it. Each and everyone must play their role to support this green efforts.

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