Joniston Bangkuai reappointed STB chairman

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has been reappointed Sabah Tourism Board chairman, ending speculation over his position in the state’s premier agency driving tourism.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew announced the Kiulu assemblyman’s appointment during a Sabah Tourism Appreciation Night here on Thursday (Jan 4).

Assistant Tourism Minister Bangkuai, whose previous term ended on Nov 15, has been widely credited for pushing Sabah tourism through the board with particular focus on developing the rural sector.

STB also has a new chief executive officer with the appointment of Julinus Jeffery Jimit, who replaces Noredah Othman.

Noredah is now the CEO of the newly-formed Sabah Convention Bureau under the ministry.

It is understood Noredah will take over the newly-created MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) unit under the ministry.

Liew assured Sabah tourism players of her ministry’s commitment through STB to work together to facilitate growth, and reaffirmed its pledge to ensure that preservation, sustainability and respect for Sabah’s land remain a high priority.

In her speech, she said the synergy between STB’s promotional efforts and tourism players’ professional services had enabled the state to hit its 2023 target of 2.2 million arrivals.

“As of October, we were already at 2.1 million. Hence, I am confident that as we ensure economic growth in this sector, we can vie for 2.8 million tourists this year, with an anticipated revenue of RM5.6bil from tourism,” she said.

Liew said the state’s top three post-pandemic markets were China, South Korea and Brunei.

She said as of last year, Sabah saw 63 of the 87 flights from China reinstated following the pandemic.

She also thanked South Korean airlines and agents that recovered very quickly with direct flights and a good load factor.

Bruneians contributed to the highest international arrivals for last year, notably in November and December.

“It certainly helps that the new Temburong bridge and Pan Borneo Highway have positively impacted inbound Brunei (travellers),” said Liew.