Liew (second left) visiting the “Lena’s Home Remedies” booth put up by ex-Star journalist Ruben Sario and his entrepreneur wife Lena, and sampling a cup of turmeric drink offered by Sario (left) for health benefits. Looking on from right are Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) CEO Datuk Rosmawati Lasuki, and Cleopatra.
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew is happy that AEI Wellness Sdn Bhd has taken up the challenge to set up wholistic wellness centres to promote wellness tourism in Sabah.
Speaking to reporters after launching the world’s first International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo 2024 (IWWCE2024) recently, she said the organisers of IWWCE2024 are receptive to her proposal for them to establish such facilities to meet the growing demand for wellness care services from locals and visitors alike.
“Wholistic wellness centres that adopt the 10 Pillars of Human Wellness will be yet another tourism product, adding to the range of relaxation choices for tourists visiting Sabah. A delegation has met with me twice since last year to discuss the matter.
“For Sabah to remain as a sustainable tourist destination, stakeholders concerned must offer creative and innovative tourism products,” said Liew.
The Minister encouraged AEI Wellness and QiMag Wholistic Professionals PLT to make IWWCE an annual affair in Sabah as the state has what it takes to host an event of this magnitude.
She hoped the organisers would collaborate with Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, who is the Chairman of Thailand National Charter of Health.
Earlier, in her speech, Chief Executive Officer of AEI Wellness and QiMag Wholistic Professionals PLT, Cleopatra Lajawai, who was also IWWCE2024 Organising Chairperson, said Liew is a fervent supporter of Wholistic Wellness Tourism for Sabah, and has proposed the establishment of Wholistic Wellness Centres in Sabah to promote Wellness Tourism.
“We are delighted to share with everyone present that this vision is soon to be realised,” she said.
She concurred with Liew that Sabah is a healing and healthy paradise for global citizens, given its essential ingredients for prime wellness and health, such as a clean pristine environment, untouched jungle, and having the highest negatively ionised air that is refreshing and rich in oxygen.
After touring the exhibition booths featuring natural home remedies and herbal products, among others, produced by Sabah entrepreneurs, Liew suggested that Sri Pelancongan Sabah exhibit these items in future world tourism trade shows in Europe and the United Kingdom.
“We must broaden our range of food products displayed at international expos, apart from showcasing Sabah’s tea and coffee products,” she said.
The Minister also congratulated naturopath Dr Jes T.Y. Lim, who is the IWWCE Founder & Chairman of Qimag Wholistic Professionals Plt, on having won the “Best Contribution to Global Wholistic Wellness” Award presented by the Thailand Wellness Asia Summit (TWAS2024).
