Kota Kinabalu: Next year will be an eventful year for Sabah in the Meeting, Incentive, Convention & Exhibition (MICE) sector, says Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.
She said a series of MICE events involving international participants have been lined up throughout the new year, and this shows that Sabah is a preferred destination for MICE activities.
These include the 62nd Multiple District 308 (MD308) Lions Convention, International Wholistic Wellness Convention & Expo 2024 (IWWCE 2024), International Women CEO Summit 2024, and Conference of Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO42).
Liew observed that this year, Sabah is a favoured destination for MICE events that included the World Cat Federation (WCF) Borneo International Cat Exhibition, MITM Sabah Travel Fair, 8th International Biotechnology Symposium and 34th Annual Scientific Congress of the Malaysian Oncological Society 2023 (34th ASCOMOS 2023).
“Sabah extends a warm welcome to visitors from all over the world who land on our shores for business, incentive, leisure or adventure. We offer various types of tourism to travellers. You name it, we have it.
“Indeed, Sabah is a popular destination for beach vacations, island hopping, mountain climbing, diving, golfing, ecotourism (examples, hiking and bird watching), nature and wildlife tourism as well as cultural tourism.
“Health or Medical tourism is gradually picking up steam again post pandemic,” Liew said during a recent courtesy call by a delegation from the 62nd Multiple District 308 Lions Convention Organising Committee 2024.
And going by events in the outgoing year (2023), the Minister noted that Sabah is increasingly becoming a much-sought after location for beauty pageants, sports tourism (including extreme sports) and even honeymoon tourism.
On hand to brief Liew about the 62nd Multiple District 308 Lions Convention 2024 (to be hosted by Sabah) were District Governor Kapitan Ronny Hiew and Convention Organising Chairman Dato’ Winnie Lee.
“We are seeking the Ministry’s support for the event which will be held in Kota Kinabalu from May 2-5 next year. This is a great opportunity to showcase Sabah as a premier destination for conventions and tourism,” they said.
According to them, the economic benefits to be derived from the convention will increase tourism revenue and thereby boost the local economy.
“Given the participation of some 1,200 Lions from West Malaysia, Sarawak, Labuan, Brunei and Singapore as well as some from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Philippines and Thailand, spending RM500 per day, the contribution to the local economy is estimated at RM2.1 million,” the Convention Organising Chairman said.
In response, Liew said she looked forward to the Lions Convention and assured the organisers of her Ministry’s support for the Convention programme that includes meetings, fellowship activities, golf tournament and banquet night.
Other members of the delegation comprised District Cabinet Secretary I Datuk Melvin Disimond, District Cabinet Secretary II Datuk Margaret Lim, Convention Organising Secretary Dr Andrew Sim, President of Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial, Regina Sulit (in charge of media), Convention Hotel & Venue Liaison Datin Leena Toyoi, Zone Chairman Sean Chee and Past District Governor James Teo.
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