Sabah eyes growth in business event travel with borders now open

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has reminded conference and event organisers to take advantage of up to RM100,000 in incentives as part of the state's efforts to woo business event travellers.

STB chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said constant engagement with the board is key to ensuring that all stakeholders work together to prepare for the return of national and international events.

“With the border now open, we anticipate more business conferences and exhibitions to take place as industry players choose Sabah as a venue,” said Joniston, who is also state Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister.

STB had launched its "Sabah: BE (business events) here for you" campaign in 2020, aimed at the business event sector, and it is still running now, he added.

Joniston said the campaign involved a RM5mil grant from the state government.

“Eligible applicants can apply for up to RM100,000 for either national or international events and meetings,” he said in inviting organisers to take advantage of the opportunity at a BE Get Together dinner reception here on Thursday (March 31).

Joniston said STB collaborated with the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here to market the venue for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) both locally and globally.

A state-of-the-art facility for small and large events alike, SICC has a capacity of 5,000, is conveniently positioned with a seaside view and strategically located close to the city centre and airport.

Earlier, Joniston congratulated industry members who had completed the Congress Certification Programme 1.0 and Congress Certification Programme 2.0 Advanced Masterclass courses.

These online courses, recognised and certified by the Events Industry Council (EIC) in the United States, are fully subsidised by STB.

They are aimed at helping to promote the growth and ecosystem of the business events sector and to support the development of human capital.

“With the necessary knowledge, tools and requirements needed from event bidding to digital event strategies, these courses greatly help in sustaining and empowering the industry,” Joniston said.

“I would like to acknowledge the trainers for working with STB in ensuring the industry is ready to welcome business event travel,” he said.

Information on the "Sabah: BE here for you" campaign can be found on STB's Business Events website at www.be.sabahtourism.com.