Sabah was voted as Favorite Tourist Destination by 70 diplomats serving in Malaysia.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners stationed in Malaysia who voted Sabah for the Gold Award during the Diplomat Tourism Night in Kuala Lumpur on 13th December 2008, thinks Sabah is “the most beautiful state in the whole of Malaysia”.
“The most often heard comments from foreign visitors is that Sabah people are naturally friendly, and only in Sabah do they find people who don’t talk about religion or races.”
Even the CEO of Malaysia Airlines agrees, “There is absolutely no doubt about it. Sabah deserves the title”.
The surprise of the evening, where Kualu Lumpur, the most developed city in Malaysia, or historic Malacca, and beautiful Penang didn’t make the list. When shopping malls and glitzy shopping centres are the current trend for development, the vote was overwhelmingly for a natural and eco-friendly tourist destination.
The winning factor is the people of Sabah, our openness, friendliness, hospitality, religious tolerance, and genuine ethnic diversity. Sure, we have world famous destination like Sipadan and Mount Kinabalu, but the people of Sabah is what ties everything together. The natural beauty of Sabah, and the natural friendliness of people is what brings tourists and visitors to Sabah.
We need to continue to develop the basic tourism infrastructure and professional management, while preserving the incredible bio-diversity of Sabah. Preserve and protect our world heritage sites, awesome islands and floral. With low-fare airlines, such as Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines, resorts and hotels, backpacker lodges, and Tune Hotel, Kota Kinabalu is an affordable destination.
Sabah is a safe destination for your holidays, free from conflict, and natural disasters. Sabah is the Land Below The Wind, a natural ecodestination, with culturally diverse and tolerant people. One of the areas we need to improve is our cleanliness, in my opinion this is were we fail over and again.
Yes, Sabah is quirky. The people are great, but the lifestyle is unique. When all is said and done though, there is no place I would rather be.
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