Sabah Tourism Board wins prestigious PATA Gold Award

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has once again made its mark on the global stage, receiving a prestigious gold award from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The honour was bestowed at the recent PATA Travel Mart held in Delhi, where STB was declared the 2023 PATA Gold Award Winner in the ‘Travel Video – Catching Sabah’ category.

Collaborating with Huntwo Studios, STB created a captivating 5:45-minute video that beautifully showcased the diverse attractions of Sabah.

The video encompassed urban exploration, natural wonders, wildlife encounters, underwater marvels, culinary delights, cultural heritage, and the rich multi ethnic communities that define the state.

Sabah Tourism Board ‘s creative excellence

During the PATA Gold Awards Lunch, the Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, and STB chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, accompanied by CEO Noredah Othman, received this esteemed award.

In his remarks, Joniston emphasised the transformative power of STB’s promotional videos.The award reaffirms STB’s commitment to promoting Sabah and its potential as a tourism destination. Joniston expressed STB’s dedication to creating innovative and creative marketing efforts that showcase Sabah from all angles.

“Winning such an award emphasises the need for STB to maintain its momentum and live up to expectation, showcasing our agency’s capable leadership and dedicated team in driving the state’s tourism,” said Joniston.

Recent achievements and future endeavours

STB’s success at the PATA Travel Mart comes on the heels of their victory as Asia’s Leading Regional Tourist Board at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

They also received a bronze award for the Best Communication of Social Media at the 4th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards for their “Fly Me To Sabah” campaign.

Joniston’s leadership at the event aimed to foster valuable business connections with key players in the travel industry, gaining a deeper understanding of current travel trends. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jimit and Senior Marketing Manager Humphrey Ginibun were also present as part of the STB delegation.

The PATA Gold Award is a testament to the creative excellence of Sabah Tourism Board and its dedication to showcasing the natural beauty, cultural richness, and diverse attractions of Sabah.

As the board continues to excel on the global stage, Sabah’s tourism industry looks forward to a promising future with innovative marketing and promotional efforts that attract travellers from all walks of life.