KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's recent announcement of its Unesco triple crown achievement at a global event in London has attracted extensive coverage in international travel media, says the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
Its chief executive officer, Noredah Othman (pic), said travel industry leaders, influencers and avid travellers have expressed keen interest in Sabah's Unesco sites after its announcement at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2023 recently.
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The three Unesco sites are: the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, declared in May this year; Kinabalu Park, designated a World Heritage Site in December 2000; and the Unesco Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared in June 2014.
Noredah said this augured well for STB's efforts to lure international visitors to Sabah.
"It’s heartening to note that our decision to launch the triple crown at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2023 has fuelled our mission to bring international visitors to the captivating landscapes of Sabah," she said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 8).
Prominent outlets such as Breaking Travel News, eTurbo News, Travel and Tour World, Travel Industry Network Media, and TTR Weekly, among others, have all featured Sabah’s achievements, she noted.
On the WTM, Noredah said STB has been a consistent presence at the event for the last 30 years.
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"Our participation at WTM is important, especially after the pandemic. We have seen a strong rebound from the UK market,” she said.
“For the first time in many years, we have our own dedicated space and (brought along) nine operators representing Sabah."
Leading the Sabah delegation was state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also STB chairman.
Noredah also emphasised Sabah tourism's long-standing commitment to sustainability.
“This has been at the core of our tourism practices. Our iconic products have always been conservation first, and tourism complements our conservation efforts.
“Therefore, we can proudly say that our tourism is inherently sustainable," she added.
