Strong Start to the Year and New Experiences Position Resort for Visit Malaysia 2026

Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai with Rasa Ria General Manager Fiona Hagan watching a cultural performance

21 January 2026

TUARAN: Fiona Hagan, General Manager of Shangri-La Rasa Ria Tuaran, has expressed optimism as the resort begins the year with a strong performance and innovative new offerings, positioning itself favourably during the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026). With Malaysia preparing to welcome increased international visitors, she highlighted the opportunity for the hospitality sector to showcase local culture and unique experiences.

She noted that the upcoming tourism campaign is expected to attract substantial interest from both Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) groups and Free Independent Travellers (FIT) with benefits anticipated to materialise gradually throughout the year. She remains positive about the prospects, especially as international promotions gather momentum across key markets towards the year's end.

The resort has already experienced encouraging early results, reporting a highly successful January following an excellent Christmas and New Year period, outperforming the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by international visitors, complemented by steady domestic demand. Additionally, group bookings, especially from China ahead of the Chinese New Year, have contributed to a healthy start.

Fiona Hagan

Local business activity remains buoyant, with companies capitalising on the window between the election period and Ramadan to organise corporate meetings and small gatherings. Fiona emphasised that overall business levels are promising, reflecting a resilient tourism environment.

While international markets are vital, the resort continues to focus heavily on the Sabah market, positioning itself as “Sabah’s favourite weekend destination”. The hotel offers regular local promotions and special rates to ensure accessibility for domestic travellers, alongside family packages that extend beyond accommodation to include visits to cultural villages and local attractions. These initiatives aim to promote experience-driven travel that celebrates Sabah’s distinctive identity.

A notable addition to the resort’s offerings is the kampung-style houses within the grounds, originally built for a major MICE event last year. Designed by architect Tressie Yap using traditional methods and sustainable practices, this structure was created in response to client demand for an authentic Borneo-themed venue close to the hotel. Constructed with seawater-treated bamboo and employing local community members, the project took approximately four and a half months.

Primarily intended for events, the kampung space has also become a tranquil area for guests to explore, whether jogging in the mornings, taking photographs, or engaging with traditional musical instruments displayed for visitors. The resort continues to incorporate activities that blend luxury hospitality with village life, including cooking classes, blowpipe demonstrations, and cultural workshops. Fruit trees have been planted to enhance the natural, lived-in atmosphere of the space.

In a move that challenges conventional hotel offerings, the resort will begin hosting durian events, working with a local supplier from Tuaran. Truckloads of the fruit will be brought into the kampung area, allowing guests to enjoy durian in a communal setting that reflects the authentic kampung environment. Fiona explained that this approach aims to create a genuine cultural experience rather than a traditional luxury setting.

Looking ahead, she expressed strong support for government-led tourism initiatives, particularly the enhancement of flight connectivity to Kota Kinabalu.

However, she emphasised that the industry must first develop compelling reasons for visitors to come, through unique spaces, cultural immersion, and nature-based experiences. She believes that by focusing on Sabah’s core strengths, culture and natural beauty, hotels can work more effectively with tourism authorities to elevate Sabah’s profile globally.

With Visit Malaysia 2026, Fiona is confident that the resort’s focus on strong performance, local engagement, and innovative experiences will continue to drive growth for both the property and Sabah’s tourism sector as a whole.