GoPro, the trailblazing global leader in action cameras, has once again teamed up with Tourism Malaysia for yet another exemplary initiative to promote Malaysia’s “land beneath the wind” – Sabah, to the world. The recently concluded GoPro APAC Camp saw the two entities working together to celebrate the launch of the all-new GoPro HERO11 Black with the best content creators across the GoPro community in Asia Pacific.

Held in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board as its Destination Partner, the 6-Day/5-Night GoPro APAC Camp was attended by 19 GoPro creators from all across the Asia Pacific, including Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, India, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. These content creators were also among the first in the world to fully utilise and showcase the HERO11 Black’s capabilities to a global audience.

“Through the APAC camp, GoPro sought to inspire these creators to come up with a myriad of fascinating and extraordinary content while promoting Malaysia through the lens of their GoPro. In this regard, we are truly grateful to Tourism Malaysia and the Sabah Tourism Board for embarking on this wonderful and synergetic journey with us. We are certain that this partnership will inspire GoPro consumers all over the world to rediscover what makes Malaysia Truly Asia,” said Rick Loughery, Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications at GoPro.

Throughout the duration of the GoPro APAC Camp, the 19 creators got to see and experience some of Sabah’s “hidden gems”, with a focus on ecotourism, gastronomy, marine life, art and culture. Among others, these included visiting Mantanani Island, teeming with the most abundant and diverse marine life; living like the locals at a homestay; experiencing the lifestyles and culture of Sabah’s ethnic groups at the Mari-Mari Cultural Village; and exploring the best scenic vistas in Kota Belud and Ranau.

“The attractions highlighted during this initiative are in line with Tourism Malaysia’s new focus on promoting Malaysia as the most recognisable top-of-mind ecotourism destination of the world. Known for unmatched hospitality, unique gastronomy and intertwined cultures, Malaysia is also the perfect place for wanderlusts seeking adventure while discovering some of the most unique gifts of Mother Nature, which the GoPro content creators have clearly shown,” said Dato’ Haji Zainuddin Abdul Wahab, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia.

“I believe this collaboration will contribute towards the achievement of Malaysia’s target of 9.2 million international tourist arrivals in 2022, and 15 million arrivals in 2023. Countries within the Asia Pacific have been and will remain in Malaysia’s Top 20 for international arrivals,” he added.

As the line of a popular Sudirman song goes, “to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia”. And now, with this new collaboration, GoPro and Tourism Malaysia have once again renewed ties, in an evolving engagement to showcase Malaysia’s charm, through the lens of GoPro, that the world may truly know and fall in love with this place we call home. The GoPro APAC Camp has undeniably allowed participants to create some remarkable content, which will feature on their respective social media channels, reaching out to their followers around the world. Meanwhile, the content will also be shared across GoPro’s social media accounts across the Asia Pacific region as well as Tourism Malaysia’s social media account.

Tourism Malaysia hosts the 5th fam trip for Indonesian travel agents, exploring exotourism and city tour. Also, Tourism Malaysia is taking travel trade partners and media from the Indonesian market on its familiarisation trip (FAM Trip) to promote Malaysia as the preferred tourist destination in this region, in collaboration with Batik Air and You Wings Holidays Sdn Bhd.

A total of five travel agents and two media were brought from Jakarta for a five-day, four-night (5D4N) stay in Kuala Selangor, Penang, Genting Highlands, and Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 30 October 2022 to immerse themselves in ecotourism and city tour. Participants had the chance to witness the magical phenomenon of blue tears and fireflies via boat tour at the estuary of Selangor River in Kuala Selangor and enjoyed lunch at Malaysia’s first dragon fruit-themed restaurant at HL Dragon Fruit Eco Farm, Sepang.

In Penang, participants explored the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown and got a taste of local culture by visiting Penang Peranakan Museum as well as Penang’s highest iconic entertainment tower at The Top Penang with Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory Deck, which offers stunning views of Georgetown and beyond.

Other highlights include a one-and-half day trip to Genting Highlands to visit the latest must-see attraction of Genting Skyworld Theme Park beside Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, Awana Skyway, SkyAvenue Complex, and Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, followed by a Kuala Lumpur city tour.

Dato’ Haji Zainuddin Abdul Wahab, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia expressed his hope that this FAM Trip will inspire Indonesian travel agents to generate more leads to actively sell tour packages to Malaysia, especially in promoting the latest attractions in this country.

"This year, this is the fifth time we have organised FAM Trip for the Indonesian market from Jakarta and Medan involving travel trade partners and media, thus showing our commitment to bring in more tourists to Malaysia." 

Batik Air is flying daily from Jakarta, Medan and Denpasar to Kuala Lumpur and will soon embark on a new route from Makassar, Indonesia.