Ahmad (centre) with Manoharan (second right); Humphrey (right) during the launching of Sabah North Borneo Cycling Paradise. Also pictured are Nuwal (second left); and Noriah (left).
MUMBAI, India: Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is strengthening engagement with the Indian market at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 by presenting a range of destination offerings, including the launch of Sabah North Borneo Cycling Paradise.
The cycling initiative was introduced after the official opening of the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion at the Jio World Convention Centre yesterday(Feb 5), providing a platform to introduce niche and experience-based travel products to the Indian market.
Present at the launch were the Consul General of Malaysia in Mumbai, Ahmad Zuwairi Yusoff; Tourism Malaysia Chairman, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy; Tourism Malaysia Asia-Africa Senior Director, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi; Tourism Malaysia-Mumbai Director, Noriah Jaafar; and STB Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Product and Research), Humphrey Ginibun.
The Sabah North Borneo Cycling Paradise offers participants a mix of coastal roads, highland scenery, rural towns, and local cultural experiences, giving travellers an active and immersive way to explore the state.
STB participated in the OTM 2026 from Feb 5 to 7, supporting broader tourism initiatives under Visit Malaysia 2026 while also creating early momentum for Visit Sabah 2027, as the state continues to strengthen its international visibility.
Under the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion, STB featured six Sabah-based tour operators and a resort partner at its booth, providing opportunities for networking, business discussions and showcasing experiences ranging from adventure and nature tours to resort stays.
The participating companies were Borneo Trails Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd, Borneo Nature Tours, Borneo Sandakan Tours, Funholiday Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd, WB Tours and Travels Sdn Bhd, and Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort.
Sabah continues to attract global travellers with its beaches, islands, resorts, diving opportunities, wildlife and rich indigenous cultures.
The state had also gained recognition as a wedding destination for Indian couples prior to the pandemic.
Last year, arrivals from India grew by 21.1 per cent, from 9,316 to 11,282, reflecting the market’s steady recovery and highlighting its importance to Sabah’s long-term tourism growth.
In terms of connectivity, Sabah is accessible from India via Singapore with 18 weekly flights to Kota Kinabalu, via Brunei with 9 weekly flights, or via Kuala Lumpur with 189 weekly connecting flights to Kota Kinabalu, 61 weekly flights to Tawau, and 34 weekly connecting flights to Sandakan.
