“Mansau-Ansau Borneo Trail” Showcases Culture and Nature Along Tambunan Route

10 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism Malaysia Sabah has concluded a two-day familiarisation trip to the Tambunan district from recently, highlighting the region’s growing appeal as a domestic tourism destination.

Known as “The Switzerland of the East” for its striking natural landscapes, Tambunan hosted participants comprising two travel agency representatives and two local media outlets.

The initiative, now in its third edition, centred on rural tourism experiences at Kampung Sunsuron Homestay, where visitors were treated to traditional Kadazan Dusun cuisine.

Participants also stayed with the Dusun community and visited notable cultural landmarks including the ‘Skull House’. The itinerary continued with stops at Mahua Waterfall in the Crocker Range Forest Reserve, the Rafflesia Information Centre, and the Sinurambi Viewing Point featuring a 14-metre wakid tower.

Adventure activities at Kawang-Kawang Canyon further underscored the potential for Kampung Tiong to play a greater role in nature-based tourism within Sabah’s interior.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, Haryanty Abu Bakar, said the visit was designed to immerse media and travel industry players in experiential tourism while strengthening appreciation for Sabah’s cultural heritage.

“Sabah has long been recognised for its Community-Based Tourism (CBT). Through this programme, we aim to encourage deeper engagement with local traditions and ways of life,” she said.

She added that enhancing Tourism Malaysia’s digital reach remains a key priority, with media practitioners serving as vital storytellers in promoting high-impact tourism content.

The trip forms part of broader preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), which aims to attract 47 million international visitors. The Mansau-Ansau Borneo Trail programme is one of several initiatives designed to boost visibility of domestic destinations ahead of the national campaign.

Tourism Malaysia expressed confidence that the VM2026 target is attainable with strong cooperation from industry stakeholders. The agency emphasised that Malaysia’s distinctive cultural and natural attractions, coupled with efforts to elevate rural tourism in Sabah, will be central to achieving the country’s tourism ambitions.