Tourism Malaysia Sabah recently hosted the “Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature” familiarisation programme from 4–8 July 2025 to spotlight Northern Sabah as a hidden gem rich in natural wonders and cultural heritage.

This initiative supports the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign and the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), with a focus on districts such as Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Kudat. These areas offer unique, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences centred on nature, culture, and adventure.

Derived from the Kadazan Dusun language, “Mansau Ansau” means “to stroll or wander.” The programme brought together nine participants, including local media representatives, social media influencers, and tourism industry partners from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, and Brunei.

Key highlights included visits to iconic attractions such as the Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. Participants also experienced authentic local culture at Walai Tobilung, where they joined traditional ceremonies, tried indigenous instruments, enjoyed cultural performances, and witnessed heritage food demonstrations.

The journey continued with community craft centre visits, showcasing traditional skills like Sulaman Pis embroidery in Kudat, corn husk crafts in Kota Marudu, and Serdang embroidery and machete-making in Kota Belud — all reflecting the creativity and craftsmanship of the local communities.

A challenging trek at Aura Montoria in Kota Belud stood out as a key attraction, widely regarded as one of Sabah’s top hiking destinations. In Kampung Sangkir, participants enjoyed cycling through lush paddy fields, while a river cruise in Tuaran’s Tembara River offered a magical experience watching fireflies and sunsets.

The programme also emphasised rural tourism development and community-based eco-tourism, driven by local industry players. According to Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, this effort aligns with Tourism Malaysia’s mission to promote the diversity of Sabah’s tourism offerings, particularly in underexplored regions.

“This initiative is also part of our digital outreach strategy, where media practitioners play a vital role in promoting destinations through storytelling — a powerful tool in today’s tourism marketing landscape,” she added.

Tourism Malaysia extends its gratitude to all collaborators for their support in promoting Sabah’s rural tourism gems and will continue to strengthen strategic partnerships to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia 2026.