KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is taking steps to continuously enhance its marketing strategies with a dynamic digital arts initiative. STB has introduced its first collection of Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) artworks on the creative platform Giphy to promote tourism products and attractions in Sabah. The initiative was jointly launched by Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (Motac) secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman and Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at the ongoing MATTA Fair.
With Giphy’s wide integration on popular social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook, STB’s move aligns well with its aim to resonate with its audience. STB Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that this trend enables a stronger connection with their followers, making it easier to engage and communicate.
STB also becomes the first tourism board in Malaysia to venture onto the Giphy platform for promoting Sabah’s tourism products and attractions. Collaborating with four talented local Sabahan artists, Iffah Hazirah, Adora Chloe, Rachel Rayner, and Nelson Lip, STB has animated content that showcases the essence of Sabah. These artists have each crafted ten distinct designs representing different aspects of Sabah, such as adventure, culture, islands, beaches, and nature, using their unique artistic styles.
Users looking for @sabahtourism or other Sabah-related keywords can find custom GIFs and stickers to use in their social media posts. To engage with the public leading up to the MATTA Fair, STB hosted an online contest on various social media platforms. Winners of the contest were given the opportunity to claim special artisanal products from Sabah’s small business owners at the travel fair.
Datuk Joniston Bangkuai stated that the Sabah Tourism Board is always seeking inventive and innovative ways to promote Sabah’s unique offerings. To successfully market Sabah, a cooperative and integrative strategy must be adopted. By partnering with the local creative community, STB aims to provide them with the necessary tools to spread the word about the wonders of Sabah.
Attendees of the MATTA Fair from September 1-3 have a chance to win a prize from the Sabah Tourism Board by taking a photo at the Sabah Pavilion and using the Sabah Tourism Giphy stickers. Sabah Tourism encourages everyone to add a touch of fun to their travel stories by incorporating the @sabahtourism stickers in their posts.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
