Proud achievement: Noredah and Joniston (third from right) receiving the award at the first-ever Asian Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2022-2023 event held in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has been named the “most outstanding tourism board” for 2022 at the inaugural Asian Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
The award is a boost for the state government agency that has been recognised as the best among the many contenders, said its chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
“The state government has placed an emphasis on tourism, and thus it is important to have exceptional management and team players within STB.
“This will not only assist in achieving the state’s development goals, but it will also ensure that the government has the best agency working towards targeted objectives,” said Bangkuai, who is also state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.
The award was presented during the ATHA 2022-2023 event co-organised by TIN Media (a travel trade publication) and the Asia Hospitality Human Resource Association in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
STB chief executive officer Noredah Othman, who was also present to receive the award, said this would serve as motivation for the STB team to continue doing their best in pushing state tourism to new heights.
“This demonstrates STB’s commitment to the industry, as well as the dedication of our staff,” she said.
Noredah added that STB will continue to explore new avenues for promotion and cooperation to further establish Sabah as a preferred travel destination.
The event also saw four travel and tour companies from Sabah receiving awards.
They are Amazing Borneo Tours and Events (Leading Tour Operator - Inbound Borneo); Borneo Calling Tour and Travel (Leading Adventure Tour Operator); D’Seven Travel and Tours (Leading Travel Agency – Outbound Religious Pilgrimage); and Nadi Borneo Tours (Leading Tourism Transport Company – Land).
