The Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2015/2016 was held on 24th November 2017, at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching Sarawak. This is the states most prestigious tourism industry awards held every two years.
For this years 7th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards, a total of 28 winners were selected after a tedious judging process. 6 Special Recognition category awards were given out to industry players this year.
The Sarawak Hornbill Awards was introduced in 2003 to recognize individuals or organisations whose contribution towards the development of the tourism sector in Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo.
As I have been an active contributor to Sarawak over the years, I was invited as one of the finalists under the Best Tourism Article Online for Sarawak. Find out who won below.
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| One of the category winners being announced at the SHTA |
Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2015/2016 Winners
This year saw some of the previous categories being removed and a special recognition category being awarded to some of the industry players. The winners for this year's Hornbill Awards are as follows;
Category A: Outstanding Media Contribution To The Tourism Industry
Best Tourism Online Article Published on Sarawak
Winner: “Ba Kelalan Sarawak” by David Hogan Jr, Malaysia Asia
Best Tourism Printed Article Published on Sarawak
Winner: “Pesta Nukenen Bario” by Hoo Choon Ping (Sin Chew Daily, Selangor)
Best Tourism Photography
Winner: “Selangor Meets Sarawak: Semenggoh Wildlife Centre” by Ramble and Wander
Best Tourism Related Videos on Sarawak
Winner: No Winner
Category B: Outstanding Cottage Industry Contribution To The Tourism Industry
Best Handicraft Product
Winner: Senia Anak Jugi - Bemban Handbag
Best Handicraft Outlet
Winner: Ranee Gift Gallery
Category C: Outstanding Food Outlets
Best Restaurant
Winner: Steak House, Kuching
Best Café/Bistro
Winner: The Gold Mines Gastropub, Bintulu
Best Kopitiam
Winner: Yoyo Café, Bintulu
Best Hawker Center
Winner: Top Spot Foodcourt, Kuching
Category D: Outstanding Tourist Guide
Best Regional Specific Tourists Guide (RSTG)
Winner: Teddy Bunga Nangoi Anak Robert Dais
Best Park Guide
Winner: Jenny Malang
Category E: Outstanding Tourism Attraction And Events
Best Natural Attractions
Winner: Gunung Mulu National Park
Best Man-Made Attractions
Winner: Sarawak Cultural Village
Best Events & Festivals
Winner: Borneo International Kite Festival
Category F: Outstanding Destination Management Company (DMC)
Best And Creative Tourism Package
Winner: Ecogreen Holidays Sdn. Bhd.
Most Outstanding DMC (Domestic)
Borneo Exploration Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd.
Most Outstanding DMC (International)
*Under Special Recognition
Emerging DMC
*Under Special Recognition
Category G: Outstanding Hotel And Accommodation Provider
Best 5 Star Hotel/Resort
Winner: Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa
Best 4 Star Hotel/Resort
Winner: Grand Margherita Hotel Kuching
Best 3 Star Hotel/Resort
Winner: New World Suites Bintulu
Best 2 Star and Below Hotel
Winner: Inn86 Bintulu
Best Homestay
Winner: Homestay Rh Benjaming Angki
SPECIAL RECOGNITION CATEGORY
International Destination Management Company - DMC Asia Market
See Mark Travel Services, Taipei
International Destination Management Company - DMC Australia Market
Flight Centre Group
International Destination Management Company - DMC Europe Market
Audley Travel
Airline Operator
Air Asia Berhad
Most Outstanding DMC (International)
CPH Travel Agencies Sarawak
Emerging DMC
One Wayang Tours SDN.BHD.
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| The scene at the SHTA 2017, held at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching |
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| Panoramic view of the Sarawak Hornbill Awards in Kuching |
The Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards was attended by the Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Datu Ik Pahon Joyik – permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports; and Sarawak Tourism Federation president Philip Yong.
Guest of honor was no other than the chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg, who was also once the Sarawak Tourism Minister.
In his opening speech, the chief minister talked about the new tourism products that were launched, and also mentioned that the tourism industry players need to start accepting the digital age and embrace it.
This was also in line with the Sarawak Pay, a cashless digital payment system, which was launched recently.
This was also in line with the Sarawak Pay, a cashless digital payment system, which was launched recently.
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| Posing with YBhg Datu Ik Pahon Joyik |
Current Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was not present as he was currently in Europe to negotiate the return of some Sarawak artefacts in the Netherlands and also in the British Museum.
The prestigious black-tie event came to a close at around 11.00 PM after the Chief Minister made his exit.
Winners of the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2015/2016 were seen taking photos, posing with their trophies against the photo wall at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching.
Winners of the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2015/2016 were seen taking photos, posing with their trophies against the photo wall at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching.
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| The Hornbill Award for Best Tourism Online Article on Sarawak which I won |
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| Me with my Best Tourism Online Award for Sarawak |
As for me the writer, I was ecstatic that I had won the Best Tourism Online Article for Sarawak as I have been actively contributing to Sarawak over the last five to six years.
I would like to thank the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, the Sarawak Tourism Board, friends and acquaintances I have met over the years of my travels to Sarawak.
Conclusion
You can read about my winning article titled Ba'Kelalan which was written 2016. I have also other articles on Sarawak if you would like to know more.
Thank you again to the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Awards 2015/2016 and I hope to see, explore and write more about Sarawak in the future.