The Daily Express
22 Nov 2009

Borneo Rainforest Lodge picks up three awards at Sabah Tourism Awards. Read original story here

Kota Kinabalu: The State Government aims to double tourism receipts under the 10th Malaysia Plan (1011-2015) to RM8 billion and increase arrivals to 3.55 million (2.2 million domestic and 1.35 million international visitors).

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said his Ministry in the meantime had set a target of RM4 billion in tourism receipts and 2.3 million tourist arrivals for next year, as outlined in the State budget.

“These numbers are achievable but they would definitely be far-reached and out-of-sight if we do not put our house in order. It is shared responsibility,” he said at the sixth Sabah Tourism Awards ceremony at Magellan Sutera, Saturday.

According to him, the task required three major requirements – namely on the stake holders’ side to enhance human resource development throughout the industry, service quality (much more than a smile on the face) and on the Government’s part to continue providing basic infrastructure.

He assured that the Government would take continuous effort to improve basic infrastructure in order to facilitate, stimulate and encourage the development of new tourism products and attractions, as identified for the 10MP and under Sabah Development Corridor.

“My Ministry is committed to make it happen to work closely with the relevant ministries and agencies both Federal and State, especially with the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia,” he said.

“We are partners and stake holders. We have a common goal – to fill the aircrafts, the hotels, tour coaches, tour boats, restaurants and sites with paying passengers and visitors,” he said.

More than 34 awards were presented to the various tourism players such as hotels, restaurants, tourist guides, tour operators and individuals in the glittering biennial awards night that was emceed by Gan Poh Tiau and Daphne Iking.

Two individuals who had contributed immensely to the tourism sector in Sabah were honoured with the Minister Special Awards, with the citation read by Masidi himself. The recipients were Lynette Silver and Dr Michael Patrick Chong.

Lynette is noted for her work in promoting Sabah and the sacrifice of Australian soldiers in World War Two through her research on the Death Walk March and recently The Last Camp Site, also announced in her acceptance speech that the Australian Government would be contributing RM120,000 to the development of the The Last Camp Site.

Dr Chong, a dentist, had produced a coffeetable book on Sabah and films on Sabah’s pygmy elephants, among others. Masidi accompanied by his Assistant Datuk Bolkiah Ismail and Sabah Tourism Chairman, Datuk Tengku Adlin also presented Special Appreciation Awards to three locals for their contribution in the promotion of culture of Sabah.

They were Hajah Pandian Sulaiman, 59, from Kota Belud, Nonjiring Mantuku, 49 from Kudat and Nasiradi Abdullah, 67 from Sandakan.

Also receiving the Special Appreciation Awards were the airlines companies servicing Sabah namely, Malaysia Airlines, Maswings, Royal Brunei, Jet Star Asia, Air Asia, Silk Air, Korean Air, Asiana, Dragon Air and Cebu Pacific.

The best 5-Star hotel award was won by Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, while the 2-star and below award went to Grace Hotel, Lahad Datu.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley defended the Nature Lodge Award category it won in 2007 while Miso Walai Homestay won the Homestay category.

Borneo Rainforest Lodge also won the Best Tourism Attraction Award with its Canopy Walkway, while the Best Tourism Attraction for non-nature went to KK Waterfront.

There were two winners for Best New Tour Package – Sandakan Death March Walking Tour, TYK Adventure Tours Sdn Bhd and the 4D3N Borneo Rainforest Lodge Package, Borneo Nature Tours Sdn Bhd.

The Best Inbound Tour Operator was won by Borneo Eco Tours Sdn Bhd, while the Best Overseas Operator were Hong Kong Wing On Travel Services Ltd (Hong Kong), Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd (Macau), H.I.S Co Ltd (Japan), Hanatour Service Inc (Korea), Richmond International Travel (Taiwan) and Infinity Holidays (Australia).

The Best Destination Management Company award went to Pacific World Destination East Sdn Bhd, while the Best Spa Experience Award went to the Ka’andaman Traditional Healing Garden (stand-alone) and The Spa Dalit Bay, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort (hotel/resort).

This year’s award for the cleanest town for the City Hall and municipal councils category was won by Sandakan Municipal Council while the category for District Councils was won by Kuala Penyu.

Wisma Merdeka was adjudged the Best Shopping Complex in Sabah, while the best night spot experience award for stand-alone outlet category was won by the Cock & Bull Bistro KK, Waterfront and the category for hotel or resort went to Shenanigan’s Fun Pub, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.

For the Best Food Outlet, Tepi Laut Makan Street, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort took the honour for the Best Restaurant category while Kak Nong Restaurant won for the Best Kopi Tiam category.

In the award for print and electronic media, the best tourism article was won by Jaswinder Kaur, Beverly Rodrigues (magazine), Yusuke Abe (article published overseas) and Francoise Fombertaux from Australian Broadcasting Corporation for Compass: Windows to Sandakan (television programme international).

Also honoured were tour guides, winning the Best General Tour Guide was Hajalima Lamasa while the Best Specialised Tour Guide Award went to Ben Duncan Angkee.