Here are this years Sabah Tourism Awards 2015 Winners list where a total of 12 categories and 34 sub categories were honoured for their excellence in promoting Sabah, Malaysia Borneo to the world. Three Ministers Special Awards were also given out this year during the grand event held at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Ballroom here in Kota Kinabalu and this year's theme was also based on the rocking 50's and 60's era where special invited guests and tourism players came dressed for the occasion.
To officiate the prestigious event, Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister - Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun was the main guest of honour accompanied by Sabah Tourism Board's Chairman, Datuk Joniston Lumai. Special guest for the event was also AirAsia's CEO, Aireen Omar where the airline bagged two awards at this years event.
The Sabah Tourism Awards 2015 gala dinner was also entertained by well known artist from around Sabah and Malaysia and a special performance by Sabah's own Elvis Presley had the guest singing to his amazing show. The finale was performed by no other than the Malaysian Jazz Queen - Sheila Majid who performed four of her most famous hit songs.
Sabah's Elvis takes stage as one of the performances during the Sabah Tourism Awards 2015
Malaysia's Sheila Majid performs the final show of the night at the awards
Minister Special Awards
Kinabalu Park Rangers & Kinabalu Mountain Guides
Eastern Sabah Security Command ESSCOM
AirAsia
Best Shopping Complex in Sabah
Suria Sabah Shopping Mall
Best Food Outlet in Sabah
• Best Restaurant in Sabah - Stand Alone
Party Play Lifestyle Café, Gaya Street
• Best Restaurant in Sabah - Hotel/ Resort
Ferdinand’s, The Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort
• Best Night Spot Experience in Sabah
Shenanigans, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
Best Spa Experience in Sabah
• Best Stand Alone Spa in Sabah
Jari Jari Spa
• Best Hotel / Resort Spa in Sabah
The Spa, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa
Best Media Coverage on Sabah
• Best Tourism Article published in Malaysia
No Winner
• Best Tourism Article published Overseas
Writer : Jun Kumayama
Title of Article : "Orphaned Orang Utan Returns To The Forest – Orang Utan Nursery"
Published in Tokushima Shinbun, February 2015
• Best TV Program on Sabah Produced in Malaysia
Sungai Mengkabong by RTM
• Best TV Program on Sabah Produced Overseas
Discovery 'Sabah Earthquake Decoded' by Discovery Channel Asia
• Best Blog Entry on Sabah
The Mountain Is The Mountain, Tomorrow Is Tomorrow. Reflections From Mt. Kinabalu by Lucy Piper. Published in Intrepid Travel Blog, 10th June 2015.
• Best Tourism Article In A News Portal
Why I Keep Re-visiting Sabah by David Hogan. Published in the Malaysian Insider, 11th August 2014
David Hogan Jr with Sabah's Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun
with my award for Best Tourism Article in a News Portal 2015.
Best Tourism Attractions in Sabah
• Best Tourism Attraction in Sabah - Nature
Tabin Wildlife Resort
• Best Tourism Attraction in Sabah - Non-Nature / Man-made
Mari Mari Cultural Village
Best Inbound Tour Package in Sabah
4D3N Stay at Luxury Villa @ Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley
Best Tour Guide in Sabah
• Best General Tour Guide in Sabah
Belle Betsy Chong
• Best Specialised Tour Guide in Sabah
Muhammad Salehuddin Bin Jais
Best M.I.C.E. DMC in Sabah
Borneo Trails Sdn Bhd
Excellence in Hotel Services
• Best 5-Star Hotel in Sabah
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort
• Best 4-Star & 3-Star in Sabah
Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan
• Best 2-Star & Below in Sabah
Best Western Sandakan
• Best Nature Lodge in Sabah
Sepilok Nature Resort, Sandakan
• Best Dive Resort in Sabah
Lankayan Island Resort, Sandakan
• Best Homestay in Sabah
Misompuru Homestay, Kudat
Best Tour Operator in Sabah
Best Overseas Tour Operator for Sabah
• Japan: H.I.S. Co. Limited
• Korea: Hanatour Service Inc
• Hong Kong: Wing On Travel
• Taiwan: Comfort Travel Service Co.
• Australia: No Winner
• Indonesia: No Winner
• China: Guang Dong China WomenInternational Travel Services Co. Ltd
Best Inbound Tour Operator in Sabah
Amazing Borneo Tours & Events Sdn Bhd
• Most Improved Wholesaler for Sabah
Winner: Modetour Network Inc
Best Airlines to Sabah
Air Asia
The Magellan Ballroom for the Sabah Tourism Awards 2015
Sabah Tourism Board and Sri Pelancongan Sabah staff perform the last dance before the event ended
The Sabah Tourism Awards are held biannually to recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations in the tourism industry. Organised by the Sabah Tourism Board and Sri Pelancongan Sabah, the inaugural awards were first held in 1997 and this was the 10th anniversary of this prestigious award held here in Sabah.
Malaysia Asia would like to congratulate all the nominees and the winners of this years awards. I would also like to mention that I was one of the winners under the category 'Best Tourism Article in a News Portal' for my work earlier this year, and this is my second award won for my work on promoting Sabah over the last five years.
The next awards will be held in 2017 and I look forward to further promoting Sabah, Malaysia Borneo to my very best as I always enjoy visiting this Malaysian state in North Borneo, despite the negative media news that is usually exaggerated many folds. Once again, my congratulations goes out to all the Sabah Tourism Awards 2015 Winners.