Kota Kinabalu, 28 August 2020 – “BE here for you” as we assured the meeting, conference, incentive and exhibition industry, that Sabah will continue to deliver unique experience for both domestic and international delegates.
This will be Sabah Tourism Board call to the MICE industry through its Business Event branding, “BE here for you”. BE or Business Events refer to an act or a transaction between event organizers or suppliers of a destination with MICE buyers.
To kick start this program, Sabah Tourism Board is introducing the Sabah New Deals MICE Incentive 2020 – 2021. The objective of this initiative is to support local businesses under this category and attract more MICE buyers to Sabah, in our hope to encourage more business events being held here.
This effort is part of the Sabah New Deal Package 2020 was announced by the Caretaker Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in Jun 2020 to stimulate the tourism industry, affected by the COVID-19.
“MICE groups bring economic spin-offs. Besides utilizing accommodation and the venue, delegates often come early or stay on longer especially if it is their maiden trip to the destination. There is also opportunity for local vendors who supply stationery, souvenirs, emcees, musicians and other talents as group would take into consideration to source items from local suppliers,” comments Pn Noredah Othman, General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board.
The incentive involves an RM5million grant from the state government. Eligible applicants can apply for this grant up to RM100,000 maximum per group, for both National and International events held between July 2020 to Dec 2021 meeting a minimum criteria of 30 pax and delegates to stay in Sabah for a minimum of 2 nights. To see the full criteria and how to apply, please visit be.sabahtourism.com.
In 2019, Sabah has hosted 640 events and attracted 62,057 domestic and international participants as compared to 241 events attracting 42,623 participants in 2018. Last year, MICE has contributed an estimate of RM152 million to the state’s economy. With the existing facilities and the newly opened Sabah International Convention Center, we believe Sabah can host more events in the future to come. We hope that the incentive will benefit both the local supplier as well as the MICE buyers.
