• NSW government abandons Glebe Island Expo
• Hendrick's Gin journeys into the Botanical Unknown
• Accor's MICE Milestone
• Vodafone hosts Joel Madden's Housewarming
• Janus Group launches new Sydney venue

• NSW government abandons Glebe Island Expo
• 32 Hundred Lighting to illuminate Harbour Bridge
• Richard Branson rocks out with Song Division
• Vodafone hosts Joel Madden's Housewarming
• Janus Group launches new Sydney venue

• Dragonfly Africa invites guests to walk on the wild side
• Dragonfly Africa and DMS team up for South African showcase
• DMS changes direction after 20 years
• Shangri-La Sydney's Blue Bar Launches Autumn Racing event packages
• DMS invites organisers to experience Venice and Madrid for 2011

By Gwen O'Toole

 

Eight Australian meeting and incentive planners experienced first-hand all that Sabah has to offer groups when they were hosted on a familiarisation to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, on the island of Borneo in Malaysia’s east.

 

 

 
Sabah Tourism Board, Pacific World Destination East Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and DMS Destination Marketing Services joined forces to showcase the region's offerings through an itinerary of cultural activities and venue showcases. 

Highlights of the trip included a visit to the Orang-utan sanctuary during playful feeding time, an ‘Amazing Race’ style team-building day of batik painting, a mangrove and water village exploration, white water rafting, and more.

 

The group also visited a selection of off-site venues, including the stunning revolving restaurant @tmosphere, the Kampung Nelayan Seafood Restaurant and the brand new Mari Mari Cultural Centre.

This interactive venue, which opened in December 2008, proved a hit with the group with its theming of a traditional tribal camp complete with fire torches, tribal characters and the opportunity to learn to use a blow pipe and get tribal temporary tattoos. A great option for a themed dinner for up to 80 pax.

 

Later on in the tour, the group experienced a day trip to Mamutik Island to see a local water village and snorkel through exotic coral reefs. Shangri-La hosted a BBQ lunch beachside complete with freshly caught local seafood.

 

Sabah offers many activities for meeting and incentive groups of any budget and, with the excellent support locally from the Sabah Tourism Board and Pacific World Destination.