KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has received the Tourism Regional Leadership Excellence Award: Championing Sustainable Growth at the 9th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2019-2023 Ceremony.
The award was given in recognition of his leadership, who has helmed the Ministry of Tourism for many years and made his distinctive contribution especially during the pandemic.
Abang Johari’s relentless efforts in championing responsible and sustainable growth have positioned Sarawak as a model region for eco-tourism and community-based initiatives, earning him the well-deserved honour on the international stage.
The event, held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre last night (Sept 27), also witnessed a total of 27 winners being awarded across eight main categories and 27 sub-categories, including newly introduced categories like Spa and Wellness, Education and Medical Tourism, SMM2H, and Best Community-Based Tourism Initiative.
This year’s Special Hornbill Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Datuk Aloysius J Dris for his contributions to Sarawak’s tourism industry over the years.
Earlier, EcoGreen Holidays Sdn Bhd won the Best Tour Operator award, while EU Holidays Pte Ltd was named Best Overseas Travel Agent.
The 3D2N Ulu Ai Experience by Borneo Adventure Sdn Bhd received the Most Unforgettable Tourism Experience award, while Semadang Kayak took home the Most Captivating Special Experience award.
Meanwhile, Anderson Michael Gawan was recognised as the Best Tour Guide (Regional Specific Tourist Guide/Park Guide).
In the best accommodation award category, Bala Metu Homestay in Bario Highland won the Best Homestay Experience award, while Inn 86 in Bintulu was awarded Best Hotel Experience (2 stars and below and innovative accommodations).
Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri and The Waterfront Hotel were named the best 3/4-Star and 5-Star hotels, respectively.
In the best dining, retail and recreational experiences category, Jordan’s Signature was awarded the Most Captivating Entertainment Experience, and Attiya Spa and Massage received the Best Spa and Wellness Experience award.
The Borneo Cultural Museum Gift Shop won the Best Tourism Shopping Experiences award, while River View Café at Hilton Kuching was named Best Casual Dining Experiences, followed by Kantin at The Granary, which was recognised for Best Fine Dining Experiences.
Meanwhile, Timberland Medical Centre was named Best Medical Tourism Provider, Aramaz Borneo (MM2H) Sdn Bhd won Best SMM2H Agent, and Curtin University, Malaysia, was recognised as Best International Education Provider.
In the best promotion and social media award category, Sam Wong from Filmco Sdn Bhd won Best TV/Online Programme on Sarawak, while Ivy Pan from BorneoTalk received the Best Tourism Article Programme on Sarawak award. ‘Taste & Travel in Sarawak’ by DayakDaily was recognised as the Best Social Media Contributor.
In the best tourism events and festivals experiences award category, the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival by Sarawak Cultural Village was awarded Most Captivating, Leisure, Arts, and Culture Event, while the ‘Sarawak Adventure Challenge’ won the Most Captivating Sports Tourism Event award.
Mulu National Park was awarded Most Captivating Visitor Attraction, and the PENAN Women Project was named as the Best Community-Based Tourism Initiative.
The Special Hornbill Award was also presented to WormingUp for its contribution to Responsible Tourism, followed by Sia Sitok Sarawak for its efforts in promoting local tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All finalists were awarded with Recognition Certificates, while the winners in each category received a cash incentive of RM 5,000, a marketing incentive of RM 3,000, and a trophy.
Among those present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting.
